Hi Folks,

I've browsed around the forum and even called Winchester for an answer to this question, and I still haven't found a definitive answer. The question is this: Is it possible to convert a Winchester 1200 or 1300 in 12 gauge with a 3" chamber to a 20 gauge by replacing the barrel and bolt with those from a 20 gauge Winchester 1300?


Thank you for your time and consideration!

Surely an easier, and more cost-effective approach is to sell the gun you don’t want and use that money to buy the one you do want.

You'd probably have to replace the trigger group too as the shell stops are part of the trigger group and the shell stops on a 12 gauge trigger group probably wouldn't function with the smaller diameter ammo. Also don't forget the magazine tube would probably need to be replaced too. At that point you'd be several times the price of just getting a new SXP. The only scenario I can envision in which it'd make any sense to do what you are suggesting would be where someone had a tractor trailer full of 20 gauge ammo, a bare 1300, 12 gauge receiver, all the parts of a 20 gauge 1300 EXCEPT the receiver and being marooned on a desert island.

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Since all of the above applies, PLUS the magazine tube, follower and possibly the hangers would also need to be replaced with smaller 20ga items.

Since you'd be replacing everything except the wood and the receiver shell, it's a non-starter...………….(aka: a money pit).

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I'm scratching my head after reading this far, Perhaps someone answer. Isn't the receiver on the 20 gauge narrower than the 12 gauge?

IMO, the Winchester 1200/1300 & Model 2200 (Sears) were post-64 economy shotguns, not worth making different sized receivers for because the company was trying to economize, not spend un-needed $$$.

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