12 gauge Winchester Model 1200 Ranger 12Ga. Pump Shotgun

I bought a Winchester model 1200 Ranger shotgun, years ago, in a pawn shop.  Produced somewhere between 1964, and 1978, the model 1200 is still a strong, workable firearm.  Mine is set up with an 18-and-1\2-inch-smooth-bore “slug” barrel, and loaded with #1 Buck, for home defense.  Happily I have never had to use it for that. 

TO TAKE DOWN

1. Open the action and MAKE SURE THE GUN IS NOT LOADED.
2. Close the action and PLACE THE SAFETY IN THE “ON” POSITION. Button near trigger. When the safety is ‘ON’ you do not see the red.

3. Unscrew and remove the magazine cap.

4. Slide the barrel forward withdrawing the barrel from the receiver and disengaging the magazine bracket from the front end of the magazine.
5. Screw the magazine cap back onto the magazine to prevent loss.

TO REMOVE THE TRIGGER GROUP FROM THE RECEIVER

The trigger guard may be disassembled from the receiver with the barrel attached or removed.

1. BE SURE THE GUN IS NOT LOADED. CLOSE THE ACTION AND PLACE THE SAFETY “ON”.
2. Turn the gun over so the trigger guard is up. With a suitable rod. push the trigger guard pin out from left to right.
3. Lift up on the trigger guard and withdraw it from the receiver. DO NOT PULL THE TRIGGER and allow hammer to fall unrestricted.

TO REMOVE THE BREECH BOLT

1. Remove the barrel and trigger group as explained earlier.
2. Remove the ejector (the flat spring like piece that fits along the inside wall of the receiver) bending the rear section of the ejector inward far enough to disengage the small retaining pin in the inside of the receiver. Pull the ejector out the barrel hole in the front of the receiver. The Model 1200 magnum version that is designed to function with three inch shells, ( Note: such as my Winchester Model 1200), has a special ejector with a coil spring fitted around the rear section. This coil spring will fall free when the ejector is removed.
3. Remove the slide arm bridge screw (the screw in the underside of the bolt assembly). The firing pin is under spring tension and will fly out of the breech bolt if the slide arm bridge is allowed to lift from the breech bolt slide.
4. With the action slide bars attached to the slide arm bridge simultaneously slide both assemblies forward and out the front of the receiver. For cleaning purposes no further dismantling is necessary.

HOW TO REINSTALL THE BREECH BOLT ASSEMBLY

1. Place the firing pin with the firing pin spring into the rear of the bolt. While holding the firing pin in position the slide arm bridge on the bottom of the breech bolt slide. When in position the tail on the bridge will retain the firing pin. While holding the slide arm bridge firmly against the bolt assembly place the assembly upright on the action slide bars.

2. With the gun right side up, carefully insert the assembly, together with the action slide bars engaged, into the notches of the bridge through the front of the receiver. If the firing pin slips out, it can be replaced from inside the receiver by lifting up on the rear of the slide arm bridge and manipulating the firing pin and spring back into location. Refit the slide arm bridge screw, securing the bridge and firing pin.

HOW TO INSTALL THE EJECTOR

With the bowed side toward the breech bolt, slide the flat end of the ejector through the barrel hole in the receiver and down between the breech bolt slide and the left inside wall of the receiver.

If your gun is a magnum ( Note: such as my Winchester Model 1200), replace the coil spring over the end of the ejector before connecting the ejector with the retaining pin in the side of the receiver.

TO REINSTALL THE TRIGGER GUARD ASSEMBLY

1. With the hammer cocked and the SAFETY ON place the forward end of the guard assembly into the receiver. Locate the slide supports (the flat bars on the sides of the assembly) into the mating notches in the throat of the magazine.

2. Pivot the rear of the guard into the receiver and insert the trigger guard pin into the right side of the receiver.