Winchester SXP Extreme Defender FDE 12 ga. Shotgun: Full Review

The SXP Extreme Defender FDE is part of the Winchester Super X Pump (SXP) line, which is an evolution of the Model 1300 Speed Pump. The SXP models includes a diverse variety of shotguns: 11 for defense, 40 for hunting, and two for sport and target shooting. Designed in Utah and manufactured in Turkey, 53 models are in 12 gauge, while 45 are in 20 gauge. Barrels range from 18 inches to 24. Most are priced for less than $500, but the SXP Extreme Defender FDE (Flat Dark Earth) is at the high end ($549) for its additional features.

The FDE composite stock with pistol grip, forend, aluminum alloy receiver, and steel barrel are accented by a black recoil pad, comb, triggerguard, rear sight, rail, bolt, heat shield, magazine tube, and breacher-style choke tube. The Extreme Defender FDE gives off an action-hero vibe but installing a capacity-limiting magazine tube plug and changing the choke makes it ready for hunting grounds and gives the model an alter ego.

The 12-­gauge pump-­action shotgun is a reliable and effective set-up for both defensive use and hunting. With a standard magazine capacity of five 23/4-inch shells — plus room for one in the chamber — the SXP Extreme Defender offers exceptional effectiveness, especially when feeding it 00 buck.

Rifled slugs are also useful in pump-action shotguns, especially when needing to hit a target as far as 100 yards. However, overpenetration at close range is a consideration for defensive-use situations. Most 00 buck loads won’t pattern wider than a fist when used against threats at short distances, so it is important to note that a shooter can still miss with a shotgun employed at close range, too.

To ensure a hit, sights on a defensive shotgun are still important. The SXP Extreme Defender FDE features an adjustable ghost ring rear sight and a steel blade front sight for a post-aperture aiming solution. Center the tip of the front sight within the rear aperture and press the trigger. This set-up makes the SXP Extreme Defender FDE ready to use out of the box, but if you prefer to install a red dot or magnified optic, that can be accomplished by making use of the generous rail space available ahead of the rear sight.

Personalize & Accessorize

Dot sights simplify the aiming process, and usually speed up an effective response. With practice, using a red dots can make you a faster and more accurate shooter. The Picatinny rail atop the SXP receiver is a great feature for both hunting and defense.

On a defensive shotgun, a light is recommended. Unlike a pistol, which could be fired one handed while a light is operated in the other hand, a shotgun requires the use of both hands to control it. However, the fact that both hands are occupied doesn’t alleviate a defensive shooter from the responsibility of confirming a potential deadly threat before firing the shotgun. To complete a defensive set-up, there is an additional rail mount available at the front for equipping the SXP Extreme Defender with a light.

Two quarter-inch spacers allow the user to further tailor the length of pull. Also included are two interchangeable combs that allow the user to set up a comfortable cheek weld placing the dominant eye properly behind the rear sight or optic. Being able to adjust the SXP shotgun for a better fit makes shooting effectively more intuitive, which is important under duress.

The SXP Extreme Defender FDE measures up typically and weighs similarly as most modern defensive shotguns. The SXP measures 381/2 inches in length with an 18-inch barrel. (Other SXP models are available with 18-, 20-, 22- or 24-inch barrel lengths.) The 18-inch barrel on the SXP Extreme Defender FDE keeps it compact and maneuverable. The drop at the heel is 15⁄8 inches and 13⁄8 inches at the comb. If not for the aluminum alloy receiver, the SXP Extreme Defender FDE would weigh a good deal more than 7 pounds.

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The pistol grip is textured on either side and finger grooves help ensure a solid purchase. The pistol grip, stock, and forearm are composite, which is both lightweight and durable. The shotgun utilizes an Inflex 1 recoil pad, dampening recoil for a more comfortable and controllable shooting experience. 

While some are not proponents of pistol grips on shotguns, this feature made it easy to wield and pull into the shoulder. Pistol grips are familiar to black-rifle users, so transitioning to using a shotgun with one feels straightforward. However, as with most shotguns, a pistol grip can interfere with operating the controls.

The SXP Extreme Defender utilizes a reversible crossbolt safety positioned at the front of the triggerguard. It is possible for most large and extra-large hands to reach and disengage the safety while maintaining a firing grip. To engage the safety, however, requires compromising the firing grip. The same consideration applies to reaching the disconnector release button to unlock the action.

Two of the SXP’s most distinctive features are the ventilated heatshield and breacher-style choke tube. The heatshield’s primary function is to prevent the shooter from burning a hand on the barrel, but it can also mitigate mirage for an improved sight picture over a hot barrel.

While the extended choke tube is an aesthetic treatment for most users, tactical users with training and purpose feeding the SXP breaching loads will find the device to offer a practical application. Like a cylinder Invector-Plus choke, the door-breaching choke is not constricted. It’s compatible with lead and steel shot, as well as slugs and breaching-specific loads.

A feature every shotgunner can appreciate is the SXP’s fast rotary bolt system. It is unique among pump-actions for engaging the barrel extension rather than the top of the receiver. Four lugs lock the bolt securely in place. When fired, inertia rotates the bolt to unlock the action. This inertia-assisted pump action makes it easier and faster to pull the forearm rearward to follow-up with the next shell. But how fast do you really need to fire a shotgun for defense?

Sure, a single well-­placed 00 buck will likely stop an attacker in his tracks. However, it is quite possible to miss due to the tightness of the pattern at close range. At further distances, some pellets might not hit the target, which is why you need to be prepared to deliver follow up shots — even with a shotgun.

The SXP action is fast and smooth to operate thanks, in part, to the hard chrome-plated chamber and bore. This detail improves smooth hull extraction and resists corrosion.

At the Range

To evaluate the SXP,  a target with a 30-inch outer circle and a 211/4-inch inner circle was posted for patterning, which approximates the widest part of the torso. Using a nine-pellet Winchester Defender shotshell, a 23/4-inch copper-plated 00 buck at 25 yards, Guns & Ammo’s test staff established that the point of aim was consistent with the point of impact. Ten shells were then fired at the center of 10 targets. Of the 90 pellets fired, 89 were placed within the inner circle. The stray measured a tenth of an inch above the inner circle at about 1 o’clock. It was well within the outer ring. Satisfied with the consistency of both shotgun and Winchester’s load, the test switched to grouping slugs. Using the Federal 325-grain Reduced Hazard Training frangible rifled slugs, five-­shot groups were then fired at 25 yards. The slugs impacted close to point of aim, also, forming a group measuring just 3 inches. Though slugs would be an effective defense, the risk of overpenetration in urban environments must be among your considerations. For home defense, 00 buck is usually the more sensible option.

Takeaways

G&A’s staff found the SXP Extreme Defender FDE very intuitive to operate and easy to shoot. Popular among the editors and writers was the push/pull method of firing the shotgun. This is where the lead hand applies forward pressure on the forearm while the shooting hand pulls the grip back towards the shoulder. This usually mitigates felt recoil and muzzle rise, too, and allows for fast follow-up shots. This technique, combined with the soft rubber Inflex 1 recoil pad, makes the SXP Extreme Defender FDE as comfortable to shoot as a 12-gauge pump gun can be.

Winchester’s SXP Extreme Defender FDE is a workhorse. It’s robust, reliable, and easy to run. At just $550, most can afford to attach a quality light at the forend or a sling. So equipped, the SXP Extreme Defender FDE is a pump shotgun that’s always ready, accurate and reliable.

Winchester SXP Extreme Defender FDE

• Cartridge: 12 ga.
• Chamber: 3 in.
• Capacity: 5+1 rds. (23/4-in. shells)
• Barrel: 18 in., steel
• Choke: Breacher (Cylinder)
• Overall Length: 38.5 in.
• Weight: 7 lbs.
• Stock: Composite
• Length of Pull: 13.75 in.
• Drop at Heel: 1.63 in.
• Drop at Comb: 1.375 in.
• Finish: FDE
• Sights: Steel blade (front); ghost ring, adj. (rear); rail
• Trigger: 6 lbs., 6 oz. (tested)
• Safety: Cross bolt
• MSRP: $550
• Importer: Winchester Repeating Arms, 800-333-3288, winchesterguns.com

Sound Off

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