1. Be sure the hammer is cocked in the trigger group as illustrated.

2. Be sure that the slide arms are in the cut outs on the bottom of the bolt assembly.

3. Assemble trigger group to the receiver by carefully working the front end of the group into the slots at the front end of receiver. Gently push rear end of trigger group down into position. If the front end of the trigger group is correctly positioned, this will require little effort. DO NOT FORCE.

4. Insert trigger guard pin from right to left and push in flush with side of receiver.

Federal migratory bird regulations limit the capacity of any auto-loading or repeating shotgun used for migratory game bird shooting to three shells. Your Model 1200 comes to you with a wooden plug in the magazine tube. The plug permits only two shells to be inserted in the magazine. Until the wooden plug is removed, your Model 1200 has a total capacity of three rounds, two in the magazine and one in the chamber. To remove this three-shot plug, follow these directions: 

1. Be sure your gun is unloaded.

2. Be sure safety is “ON”.

3. Unscrew and remove magazine cap.

4. The magazine tube plug is under spring tension. Insert a screwdriver into the hole in the magazine tube plug and carefully pry upward, holding hand over plug until it clears the magazine tube.

5. Allow magazine tube plug and spring to slowly extend to spring’s full length. Remove wooden three-shot plug.

6. Replace spring in magazine tube. Place magazine tube plug on end of spring. Carefully compress spring into magazine tube and tap downward on the magazine tube plug until it is flush with the end of the magazine tube.

7. Screw on magazine cap by hand until tight.

IMPORTANT— Your Model 1200 is shipped with the barrel removed from the rest of the gun. Clean the inside of barrel and chamber to remove all grease, oil, and other possible obstructions before assembling or firing your Model 1200. 

1. Push the disconnector and at the same time slide forearm back. This will cock the gun. (It is not necessary to push disconnector to open action after gun is fired.)

Push safety button from left to right until red band disappears. The safety is now in the “ON” position. Gun must be cocked before safety can be placed in the “ON” position. 

1. Be sure safety is in the “ON” position (red band on the safety button will be hidden) and gun is unloaded.

2. Unscrew and remove magazine cap. (Use caution as the magazine spring is under tension and might fly out.)

3. Remove paper packing sleeve from magazine tube.

4. With bolt forward (action closed), lay barrel against forearm. Slide barrel into receiver making sure magazine tube enters hole in magazine tube bracket.

5. Push barrel as far back as it will go. There should be no space between the front of the receiver and the back of the barrel.

6. Screw on magazine cap by hand until tight.

1. Push safety button from left to right until red band disappears. The safety is now in the "ON" position and your gun may be safely loaded.

2. Open the action.

3. Drop shell into ejection port with the brass part of the shell toward the butt stock.

4. Slide forearm fully forward to move the shell into firing position.

1. Be sure safety is “ON” and the bolt closed.

2. Turn the gun until the trigger guard is up.

3. Push down on the front end of the carrier with the shell and slide the shell well into the magazine tube. There will be a “click” as the cut off (the part which holds the shell in the magazine tube) snaps into position.

4. Repeat step 3 to load additional shell or shells. Be sure the last shell is pushed all the way past the cut off to ensure proper gun functioning.

1. Be sure the safety is in the “ON” position (red band on safety button will be hidden).

2. Push the disconnector and slide the forearm all the way back. This will remove the shell from the chamber.

3. Slide the forearm all the way forward. This will load another shell into the chamber.

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until the gun is empty.

CAUTION: Be certain magazine follower is visible to make sure no shells remain in the magazine. With the bolt all the way back, check the chamber to be sure it is empty. 

1. Be sure safety is in the “ON” position (red band on the safety button will be hidden).

2. Turn the gun until the trigger guard is up.

3. Push the carrier as far down as it will go.

4. Push the cut-off (the part which holds the shell in the magazine tube) to the right. A shell will pop out of the magazine. Repeat to remove additional shell or shells.

5. With safety still in the “ON” position, slide the forearm all the way to the rear. This will remove the shell from the chamber.

CAUTION: Be certain magazine follower is visible to make sure no shells remain in the magazine. With the bolt all the way back, check chamber to be sure it is empty. 

1. Be sure all grease and oil has been removed from the barrel and chamber and that there is no obstruction.

2. With safety “ON”, load your gun as previously instructed.

3. Push safety button from right to left until red band appears. The safety is now in the “OFF” position. Your gun may now be fired by pulling the trigger.

4. One of the special features of the Model 1200 is its unique locking mechanism. It’s vault-tight during firing, but once the pressure in the bore and chamber is back to normal, a minimal effort opens the action (in fact, the inertia of the slide handle is sometimes enough to unlock and partially open the action). This is why with your Model 1200 you get smoother and faster “shucking” for repeat firing. 

5. After firing. slide the forearm all the way back and then fully forward. This operation should be one continuous motion. Your Model 1200 may now be fired again.

6. Repeat step 5 for each shot you wish to fire.

7. When you are finished firing, always push the safety button to the “ON” position.

Be certain that gun is unloaded. Check both chamber and magazine. 

1. With action closed, push safety to “ON” position.

2. Unscrew and remove the magazine cap.

3. Slide the barrel forward until the magazine tube bracket slides free of the magazine tube and the barrel comes out of the receiver. Lift barrel out.

4. Screw on magazine cap by hand until tight.

1. Be sure the gun is unloaded. Close action, push the safety to the “ON” position, turn the gun until the trigger guard is up, and push out the trigger guard pin from the left.

2. Lift the trigger group out of the receiver by pulling on the trigger guard.

3. Do not pull the trigger after disassembly.

Your WINCHESTER Model 1200 slide action shotgun is a fine shooting, well balanced, sporting firearm built of the finest materials and to the strictest precision manufacturing specifications with engine turned bolt for added beauty. It has a total capacity of five rounds, two in the magazine with plug and four without, and one in the chamber. Proper care will assure its long life and continuous smooth, efficient and safe operation. 

The bore of your Model 1200 should be wiped with an oily patch and all exposed surfaces covered with a thin film of gun oil. Be sparing in your use of oil, for a little goes a long way and excess oiling will cause an accumulation of dust and burnt powder that may cause malfunctions. The barrel and action should be cleaned after exposure to rain, snow, or salt spray. When storing for long periods, apply gun grease to the metal parts and keep in a dry place. Do not plug the muzzle with any obstruction. 

Before firing, be certain all grease and oil is wiped from the inside of the barrel and chamber. 

Should your WINCHESTER Model 1200 ever need repairs, return it to your closest Winchester Warranty Gunsmith or to the Winchester factory, where it will receive the same careful attention as used in its manufacture. 

CAUTION: PARTS ARE MADE FOR CURRENT WINCHESTER BRAND GUNS AND SHOULD NOT BE USED IN OTHER GUNS EVEN THOUGH MODELS MAY BE SIMILAR. IMPROPERLY FITTED PARTS MAY BE DANGEROUS.

An information resource for Winchester Repeating Arms can be found online at winchesterguns.com. 

• List of Authorized Repair Centers.
• Customer Service information.
• Firearm Service/Repair Form.
• Answers to many technical and historical questions.
• Links to helpful sites.

You Are Responsible For Firearms Safety. 

As a gun owner, you accept a set of demanding responsibilities. How seriously you take these responsibilities can mean the difference between life and death. Failure to follow any of these instructions can cause extensive damage to your gun and/or possible serious injury or death to yourself and others. There is no excuse for careless or abusive handling of any firearm. At all times handle any firearm with intense respect for its power and potential danger. READ AND UNDERSTAND all of THE CAUTIONS AND PROPER HANDLING PROCEDURES OUTLINED IN THIS BOOKLET BEFORE USING YOUR NEW FIREARM.  

1. ALWAYS KEEP THE MUZZLE OF ANY FIREARM POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION.

Do this even though you are certain the firearm is unloaded. Never point any firearm at anything you do not intend to shoot. Be extremely alert and aware of all persons and property within the range of your ammunition.  

2. NEVER RELY TOTALLY ON YOUR SHOTGUN'S MECHANICAL "SAFETY" DEVICE.

Always assume that your gun can be fired at any time, even with all the safety mechanism engaged. The word "safety" describes a gun's trigger block mechanism, sear block mechanism, hammer block mechanism or firing pin block mechanism. These mechanical devices are designed to place your gun in a SAFER status. No guarantee can be made that the gun will not fire even if the "safety" is in the "on safe" position. See "Operation of the Safety" in your owner’s manual for instructions on operation of your gun's "safety." 

3. LIKE ANY MECHANICAL DEVICE, A "SAFETY" CAN SOMETIMES FAIL; IT CAN BE JARRED OR INADVERTENTLY MANIPULATED INTO AN UNSAFE CONDITION.

Mechanical "safeties" merely aid safe gun handling and are no excuse for pointing your shotgun's muzzle in an unsafe direction. 

While it is a good idea to "test" your shotgun's mechanical "safeties" periodically for proper function, never test them while your firearm is loaded or pointed in an unsafe direction. Safe gun handling does not stop with your gun's mechanical "safety" devices -- it starts there. Always treat this shotgun with the respect a loaded, ready-to-fire firearm. NEVER TEST THE MECHANISM OF ANY FIREARM WHILE IT IS LOADED OR POINTED IN AN UNSAFE DIRECTION.

4. WHENEVER YOU HANDLE A FIREARM, OR HAND IT TO SOMEONE MAKE SURE IT IS COMPLETELY UNLOADED.

Always open the action immediately and visually check the chamber magazine. Make certain the chamber does not inadvertently contain any ammunition.  Always keep the chamber empty and the "safety" in the "on safe" position unless shooting is imminent. 

5. DO NOT TRANSPORT ANY FIREARM LOADED. KEEP ALL FIREARMS UNLOADED DURING TRANSPORT, WHETHER IN A SCABBARD, GUN CASE, OR OTHER CONTAINER.

6. HUNTING FROM ELEVATED SURFACES SUCH AS TREE STANDS IS DANGEROUS.

Doing so may increase the risk of handling a firearm. The following rules should always be observed by you and those you hunt with: Always make certain that the stand being used is safe and stable. Always make certain that your firearm is unloaded when it is being taken up and down from the stand. Always make certain that your firearm is not dropped from the stand, or dropped while it is being taken up or down from the stand. Remember, a loaded firearm may discharge when dropped, even with the safety in the "on safe" position. 

7. BEWARE OF BARREL OBSTRUCTION.

Do this for the safety of both your gun and yourself. Mud, snow, and an infinite variety of other objects may inadvertently lodge in a barrel bore. It takes only one small obstruction to cause dangerously increased pressures that can ruin (swell or rupture) the finest shotgun barrel.

BEFORE CHECKING FOR A BARREL OBSTRUCTION, BE CERTAIN YOUR FIREARM IS FULLY UNLOADED.

Make sure no live rounds are in the chamber. Place the safety in the "on safe" position, open the breech or action and look through the barrel to be sure it is clear of any obstruction. If an obstruction is seen, no matter how small it may be, clean the bore with a cleaning rod and patch as instructed for your particular firearm. Before the first firing, clean the bore with a cleaning rod and patch, and wipe away any anti-rust compounds in the action/chamber areas.  

8. ALWAYS UNLOAD ALL FIREARMS WHEN NOT IN USE.

As a safety precaution, it is preferable to disassemble your gun for storage. Your responsibilities do not end when your firearm is unattended. Store your gun and ammunition separately -- well beyond the reach of children. Take all safeguards to ensure your firearm does not become available to untrained, inexperienced or unwelcome hands. 

9. USE THE PROPER AMMUNITION.

The barrel and action of all Browning firearms have been made with substantial safety margins over the pressures developed by established American commercial loads. Nevertheless, Browning assumes no liability for incidents which occur through the use of cartridges of nonstandard dimensions which develop pressures in excess of commercially available ammunition with standards established by the Sporting Arms and Ammunitions Manufacturers' Institute (SAAMI). 

BE ALERT TO THE SIGNS OF AMMUNITION MALFUNCTION. 

If you detect an off sound or light recoil when ammunition is fired, DO NOT LOAD MORE AMMUNITION INTO THE CHAMBER. Open the action and remove all ammunition from the chamber. With the action open, glance down the barrel to make sure that a wad or other obstruction does not remain in the barrel. If there is an obstruction, completely clear the barrel before loading and firing again. Failure to follow these instructions can cause extensive damage to your gun and possible serious injury to yourself and others. 

10. MAKE SURE OF ADEQUATE VENTILATION IN THE AREA THAT YOU DISCHARGE A FIREARM. WASH HANDS THOROUGHLY AFTER EXPOSURE TO AMMUNITION OR CLEANING A FIREARM.

Lead exposure can be obtained from discharging firearms in poorly ventilated areas, cleaning firearms or handling ammunition. Lead is a substance that has been known to cause birth defects, reproductive harm and other serious injury.  

11. NEVER INSERT A SHELL OF THE INCORRECT GAUGE IN ANY SHOTGUN. The gauge of your shotgun is marked on the side of the barrel. Store all shells of different gauges in completely separate and well-marked containers. Never store shells of mixed gauges in a common container or in your pockets.

EXAMINE EVERY SHELL YOU PUT IN YOUR GUN. NEVER PUT A 20 GAUGE SHELL IN A 12 GAUGE GUN.  The most common way to bulge or rupture a shotgun barrel is to drop a 20 gauge shell into a 12 gauge chamber. The 20 gauge shell, unfortunately, will not fall completely through the barrel; its rim is caught by the front of a 12 gauge chamber. Your gun will misfire (with the chamber appearing to be empty). It is then possible to load a 12 gauge shell behind the 20 gauge shell. If the 12 gauge shell is then fired, the result will be a so-called “12-20 burst” which can cause extensive damage to your gun and possible serious injury to you and others. 

12. USE SHELLS OF CORRECT LENGTH.

The size of the chamber is inscribed, along with gauge and choke designations, on the side of the barrel.  Do not use 31/2" shotgun shells in a shotgun or barrel with a 2 3/4" chamber or 3" chamber.  Do not use 3" shells in a shotgun chambered for a 2 3/4" shells. Doing so can result in a build-up of dangerously high pressures that may damage your gun and possibly cause serious injury to yourself or others. 

13. DO NOT SNAP THE FIRING PIN ON AN EMPTY CHAMBER -- THE CHAMBER MAY NOT BE EMPTY!

Treat every gun with the respect due a loaded gun, even though you are certain the gun is unloaded. 

14. KEEP YOUR FINGERS AWAY FROM THE TRIGGER WHILE LOADING AND UNLOADING UNTIL YOU ARE READY TO SHOOT.

15. BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET AND BACKSTOP. Particularly during low light periods. Know the range of your ammunition. Never shoot at water or hard objects.

16. ALWAYS UNLOAD THE CHAMBER AND MAGAZINE OF ANY FIREARM BEFORE CROSSING A FENCE, CLIMBING A TREE, JUMPING A DITCH OR NEGOTIATING OTHER OBSTACLES.

Never lean or place your loaded shotgun on or against a fence, tree, car or other similar object.

17. WEAR EYE AND EAR PROTECTION WHEN SHOOTING. Unprotected, repeated exposure to gunfire can cause hearing damage. Wear ear protectors (shooting earplugs or muffs) to guard against such damage. Wear shooting glasses to protect your eyes from flying particles. Always keep a safe distance between the muzzle of your firearm and any persons nearby, as muzzle blast, debris and ejecting shells could inflict serious injury. Also, wear eye protection when disassembling and cleaning all firearms to prevent the possibility of springs, spring-tensioned parts, solvents or other agents from contacting your eyes.

18. DROPPING A LOADED GUN CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE.

This can occur even with the "safety" in the "on safe" position. Be extremely careful while hunting or during any shooting activity to avoid dropping any firearm. 

19. IF ANY FIREARM FAILS TO FIRE, KEEP THE MUZZLE POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION.

Hold this position for a minimum of 30 seconds. Carefully open the action and remove the shell. If the primer is indented, the shell should be disposed of in a way that cannot cause harm. If the primer is not indented, your firearm should be examined by a qualified gunsmith and the cause of the malfunction should be corrected before further use.  

20. BE DEFENSIVE AND ON GUARD AGAINST UNSAFE GUN HANDLING AROUND YOU AND OTHERS. Don’t be timid when it comes to gun safety. If you observe other shooters violating any of these safety precautions, politely suggest safer handling practices. 

21. BE CERTAIN YOUR SHOTGUN IS UNLOADED BEFORE CLEANING.

Because so many accidents occur when a firearm is being cleaned, special and extreme care should be taken to be sure your gun is unloaded before disassembly, cleaning and reassembly. Keep ammunition away from the cleaning location. Never test the mechanical function of any firearm with live ammunition. 

22. SUPERVISE AND TEACH FIREARMS SAFETY TO ALL MEMBERS OF YOUR FAMILY --ESPECIALLY TO CHILDREN AND NONSHOOTERS.

Closely supervise newcomers to the shooting sports. Encourage enrollment in hunting/shooting safety courses. 

23. NEVER DRINK ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES OR TAKE ANY TYPE OF DRUGS BEFORE OR DURING SHOOTING.

Your vision and judgment could be dangerously impaired, making your gun handling unsafe to you and to others. 

24. PERFORM PERIODIC MAINTENANCE -- AVOID UNAUTHORIZED SERVICING.

Your firearm is a mechanical device which will not last forever, and as such, is subject to wear and requires periodic inspection, adjustment and service. Browning firearms should be serviced by a Browning Recommended Service Center or by Browning's service facility in Arnold, Missouri. Browning cannot assume any responsibility for injuries suffered or caused by unauthorized servicing, alterations or modifications of Browning firearms. 

25. READ AND HEED ALL WARNINGS in these instructions, on ammunition boxes and with all accessories that you install on your firearm. It is your responsibility to secure the most up-to-date information on the safe handling procedures of your Browning gun. Browning assumes no liability for incidents which occur when unsafe or improper gun accessories or ammunition combinations are used.

26. Browning reserves the right to refuse service on firearms that have been altered, added to or substantially changed. Removal of metal from barrel(s), or modification of the firing mechanism and/or operating parts may lead to Browning’s refusal of service on such firearms. Browning will charge the owner for parts and labor to return the firearm to original Browning specifications.

DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, ALTER THE TRIGGER, SAFETY OR OTHER PARTS OF THE FIRING MECHANISM OF THIS OR ANY OTHER FIREARM. FAILURE TO OBEY THIS WARNING MAY RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH TO YOURSELF OR OTHERS. 

BE CAREFUL!