A couple of weeks ago, I received a surprise gift of a Winchester Model 1400 Mk II, semi-auto from a Navy Vet friend of mine as we prepared for our Memorial Day remembrances here in our small town. He had had this in the safe for years without touching it and had originally received it as a gift from a WWII pal of his who is now departed. As he had “too many long guns” and knew I was a crow hunter he presented it to me. It is like new and probably has been fired only a few times. A bit of research tells me that it is a mid-price/”value” gun from between 1968-72. I know it’s not a high speed-low drag Beretta/Benelli/Browning with all the bells and whistles, etc, but I think it deserves shooting and bopping some crows to honor my friend. So, I intend to clean it up, install a recoil pad, try it on some clays, and then introduce it the local bandits come 1 AUG, when MI crow season (summer iteration) opens up. It has a screw-in full choke.
From those of you who might be familiar with this model (I have never owned a semi-auto); what quirks might it have? Thanks.
Older semis function better with high brass loads...my 11-87 requires a different set of rings for lighter loads. I feel the Remington 1100 is better balanced and a better over all shotgun that the 11-87 generally speaking but versatility is everything.That explains the different sets of rings....so-again-stay with heavier loads for reliable functioning.
I like those 1400's and have several that have been put thru heck. My Dad completely wore 2 out. We tried to figure out how many cases (20 box) he put thru the first one and it was impossible. I currently take one as a spare on our hunts and would still be shooting it had my son not given me a new Versamax. I have never had any problems with it handling promo loads(low brass) and as far as I know neither my Dad or Brother have had any issues. Only recurring problem is a wax like build up in the chamber after a "lot" of shooting will cause it to hang up and not eject the hull. I think you will enjoy this guns soft recoil and it's lightweight. And since you already shoot the model 12 they point a lot alike. I may get lamb blasted but I think this gun is probably one of the best inexpensive autoloaders ever made.
