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Work order — Winchester SXP

Taking the firearm apart for a job such as refinishing, and putting it back together to specification. Generated from the Pew-Takedown entry last updated 2026-10-29. Confidence: high.

Shop difficulty: Tier 2 of 3

SXP is the 1300's rotary-bolt pump design: with a modest part count: the trigger guard group drops out on one pin, but the bolt rides on the slide arm bridge through a spring-loaded firing pin that must be held compressed to hook up, the bolt must go in before the trigger group (hammer cocked, safety on), and it has to pass the ejector spring. One held-spring trap, so Tier 2. 63 parts (complete 12-gauge SXP per Winchester's factory schematic and parts price list (schematic reference keys 1-63, incl. receiver, barrel, stock, trigger group)). Pew-Takedown's rating, not the manufacturer's.

Bench time: strip ~40 min, rebuild ~60 min (estimate). Actual: strip ______ rebuild ______

Special tools:

• Punch set — Trigger guard pin

Watch for:

• Winchester's SXP notice: do not install the bolt after the trigger group and never force parts into position. (reassembly; Winchester Repeating Arms)
• The breech bolt hangs on the slide arm bridge by the firing pin: the pin must be held compressed against its spring so the bridge's curved tongue can be hooked between knob and flange, and it snaps out of the bolt when released. (both; Winchester Repeating Arms)
• The bolt has to be worked past the ejector spring as it slides out of or into the receiver. (both; Winchester Repeating Arms)

1. Clear and make safe

1. Point the muzzle in a safe direction and keep your finger off the trigger.
2. Engage the crossbolt safety in the trigger guard.
3. Press the action release and pull the forend rearward to open the action.
4. Cycle the action repeatedly, catching each shell as it ejects, until no more shells feed from the magazine tube.
5. With the action open, inspect the chamber and look up the magazine tube with a light.
   Warning: The chamber AND the tube. A shell hung up in the tube is easy to miss.
6. Physically confirm the chamber is empty and remove all live ammunition from the work area.

2. Disassemble

Field Strip

1. Complete the Clear and Make Safe procedure: open the action, visually inspect the chamber, and put the safety in the ON SAFE position so the red warning band is not visible. Put on eye protection.
   Warning: Wear eye protection. Springs and spring-loaded parts are what come loose here.
2. Depress the disconnector release button, behind the trigger guard on the left side, to unlock the action without releasing the hammer.
3. Open the action, then with the muzzle in a safe direction unscrew and remove the magazine cap.
4. Grasp the barrel ahead of the barrel bracket, hold the buttstock with your other hand, and pull the barrel forward to disengage it from the receiver. Slide the barrel bracket off the magazine tube.
   Tip: Do not use excessive force. If it does not come, something else is wrong.
5. Immediately replace the magazine cap and hand tighten it at least three turns.
   Tip: Winchester says 'immediately' because the cap is what retains the magazine spring and follower.
6. For a deeper clean, remove the trigger group: cycle the action to cock the hammer, safety ON SAFE, lay the shotgun trigger-guard-up, and push the trigger guard pin out from the left side — the side opposite the ejection port — with a tool smaller in diameter than the pin.
7. Push the trigger group forward slightly and lift it out by lifting upward and pulling rearward.
8. To remove the slide and bolt, leave the magazine cap off and slide the bolt assembly and slide arm forward together out of the front of the receiver.
   Tip: There may be resistance from the ejector spring as the bolt passes the ejection port. Work it past carefully rather than forcing it.
9. Stop here. Winchester states no further disassembly is necessary or recommended for cleaning, and that going further may void the warranty.

3. Refinish

The components the procedures above separate. Coating, masking and cure are outside this database; follow your coating system's instructions. A part the manufacturer marks "factory fit" should not be swapped or reworked.

4. Reassemble

Reassembly

1. Order matters here more than anywhere else on this shotgun. The bolt assembly, slide arms, and forearm go into the receiver BEFORE the trigger group.
   Warning: Winchester's notice is explicit: do not attempt to install the bolt assembly after the trigger group is installed. Doing so may damage the firearm.
2. If the firing pin was removed, fit the spring over it (either end first), insert the assembly pin-end first into the rear opening of the bolt slide, then compress the knob end of the firing pin until the space between the grooved knob and the flange is centred in the round hole in the bolt slide.
   Tip: On 3½ in models, slide the bolt shroud fully forward first.
3. Place the curved tongue on the slide arm into the space between the knob and the flange and slowly release the firing pin, letting the flange pull the tongue rearward.
4. With the magazine cap off, hold the slide arms and bolt assembly together and slide the forearm assembly onto the magazine tube.
5. Guide the slide arms and bolt assembly into the front of the receiver and slide them fully rearward.
6. Cock the hammer by pushing it straight back until it locks, and confirm the safety is ON SAFE.
7. Turn the shotgun bottom-up, hold the trigger group at about 45 degrees to the receiver, and engage its front tabs with the slots in the magazine throat at the forward end of the receiver opening.
8. Lower the rear of the trigger group into the receiver until it sits parallel. You may need to slide the forearm to different positions before it drops in flush.
   Warning: Never force parts into position.
   Tip: When it is right it fits easily and the pin hole lines up on its own.
9. Push the trigger guard pin through until it is flush on both sides. It should pass with little force — if you meet real resistance, take the trigger group out and start this sequence again.
10. Fit the barrel: depress the disconnector release button and pull the forearm back to open the action, position the barrel over and in line with the magazine tube, slide it rearward guiding the barrel bracket over the tube, and check that the slot in the barrel aligns with the ejector before it seats.
11. Replace the magazine cap and hand tighten at least three full turns, confirm the safety is ON SAFE, then perform the function check.

5. Torque

No manufacturer torque values are recorded for this firearm.

Notes: The manufacturer's documents give no torque value. They say: "Tighten the screws according to the scope base manufacturer's instructions. Do not overtighten." (Winchester Super X Pump (SXP) Shotgun Owner's Manual) "Attach the recoil pad to the stock using the screwdriver. Turn the screws clockwise to tighten. Do not overtighten the screws." (Winchester Super X Pump (SXP) Shotgun Owner's Manual)

Fit or check on rebuild

• Trigger guard group fits flush without force, hammer cocked, safety on — Forcing it damages the gun; the forearm may need moving to let it seat.
• Function check: safety, trigger/sear release, disconnector and feeding with dummy rounds — Standard after any detail strip; a mis-assembled sear or disconnector can double or fail to fire.

6. Function check

• Verify the shotgun is unloaded — chamber and magazine tube — before each step.
• Cycle the action fully. It should run smoothly without binding and lock closed.
• With the action closed and the hammer cocked, engage the safety and press the trigger. The hammer must not fall.
• Disengage the safety and press the trigger. The hammer should fall.
• With the hammer down, confirm the action will not open until the action release is pressed.
• Load two dummy shells into the magazine and confirm they feed and eject cleanly, one per cycle.

If any check fails, the firearm is not safe to fire. Stop and see a licensed gunsmith.

Sources

1. Winchester Super X Pump (SXP) Shotgun Owner's Manual — Winchester Repeating Arms primary
   https://www.winchesterguns.com/support/owners-manuals/sxp-shotgun.html
2. Winchester Repeating Arms — SXP Recall Information -- 2015 — Winchester Repeating Arms (Browning Arms Company) primary
   https://www.winchesterguns.com/support/current-recalls-and-safety-announcements/sxp-recall-information----2015.html
3. SXP Defender — Specifications (Winchester Repeating Arms) — Winchester Repeating Arms primary
   https://www.winchesterguns.com/products/shotguns/sxp/sxp-defender.html
4. Winchester Model 1300 Owner's Manual (web) — Winchester Repeating Arms primary
   https://www.winchesterguns.com/support/owners-manuals/model-1300.html
5. Winchester SXP Pump-Action Shotgun 12 Gauge - Winchester Gun Parts Price List (with schematic) — Winchester Repeating Arms primary
   https://www.winchesterguns.com/content/dam/winchester-repeating-arms/support/parts-and-service/parts/2025/Winchester-SXP-Parts-List.pdf

Educational guide only. Some information comes from non-authoritative sources. Always consult your manufacturer's manual and a licensed gunsmith. Verify your firearm is unloaded before every procedure. Full disclaimer: https://github.com/Fundamental-build-LLC/Pew-Takedown

Legal notice: this material is third-party information compiled from sources of varying reliability and is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not gunsmithing, technical, safety or legal advice, it is not verified or endorsed by any manufacturer, and it must not be taken as fact. Any work on a firearm beyond the routine field stripping described in its own owner's manual should be performed only by a licensed and insured gunsmith. You use this material entirely at your own risk. Fundamental Build LLC and the project's contributors make no warranty of any kind and accept no liability for death, injury, damage or loss arising from its use. Full terms: LEGAL.md.