What is the difference between...

[rojocorsa]

A plain jane Winchester 1200/1300

And a Winchester Ranger 120? EVERYTHING looks exactly the same to me. And I know that they both have the exact same action because I stripped down both of them.

What's up with this?

The only possible difference that I have seen was in the barrel. On the 1300 Speed pump, there a screw-in chokes and a rib. The Ranger barrel is plain with just the bead.

[rojocorsa]

The Winchester Ranger 120 must not be really popular then, eh?

[aippi]

The best I can find out is that the 120 is simply the entry level model 12 and was dicontinued. It has the vent rib barrel with Win Choke. Not sure when it came out or when it was discontinued, but yes, it is a model 12. It predates the model 1200 which began in 1964 so it was may have been discontinued in the 1960's. Not sure do don't take that as a fact. Still the same actions and parts, different features.

[rojocorsa]

I have actually done some research if it matters. I noticed that due to some nuances inside the receiver, it is easier to work with a 1300. It is less of a PITA to field strip and put back together, actually. So I now view the 1300 as an evolution of that Ranger 120.


I still love my 870 Wingmaster more though.