Special Interests - Groups & Societies > The Winchester Model 1886

Why the 1886?

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Trailrider:
I can't recall if I read the book, "John Moses Browning - American Gun Maker" before or after the first time I ran across a M1886 Winchester in (believe it or not) a San Francisco gun shop in the summer of 1962. The gun was interesting, and the action so smooth that I couldn't help but buy it (with about all the wages earned on a summer job)! It was in .45-90, and there were no 2.4 inch cartridge cases available at the time, so I shot .45-70's in it. Somewhere along the line I traded it off on a M71, which got traded for another '86.  I've since owned several of these guns, some in .45-70, .40-65 and .33 WCF.  I was able to take several wild boar with the .33 WCF in the late 1960's, and had loads for a rebuilt .45-70 that could have taken a tyrannosaurus rex or two, or a griz, but the opportunity for the later never presented itself.

The mechanism for the '86 and M71 is very interesting and a true testament to John Mose's genius.

The only flaw in the design of the original '86 is that the ejector forms the bottom half of the firing pin channel, and should the ejector head break off and not be noticed the following shot will allow the primer to back out and you get a slight sprinkling of gas on your forehead! No harm, no damage, but back in the '60's you could buy sets of M71 breechblock and locking lugs from Numrich.  The M71 breechblock has the entire firing pin channel surrounded by leather and the firing pin is smaller in diameter.  Fitted by a competent gunsmith, you eliminate the problem. (I believe the only time I had an ejector break like that was shooting heavy loads that pounded the ejector.) Just to be on the safe side, I had the .33 WCF rifle fitted with the second M71 breechblock and locking lugs that I had bought from Numrich.  I wouldn't hesitate to shoot originals with loads that were appropriate to the time period of manufacture of the original '86.

PJ Hardtack:
A while back I asked for an '86 forum page and was told that there was insufficient interest. I'm glad to see that has changed.

Maybe we can include it's baby brother the '92 as well. Both guns represent the epitome of lever action rifles.

Coal Creek Griff:

--- Quote from: PJ Hardtack on March 02, 2017, 06:09:54 PM ---Maybe we can include it's baby brother the '92 as well. Both guns represent the epitome of lever action rifles.

--- End quote ---

Actually they added an 1892 forum too, right under this one!  I think it's a good idea too.

CC Griff

Advertising:

1961MJS:
Hi

I picked up a new Winchester 1886 in a local gun store, and loved the feel, and balance.  I DIDN'T love the tang safety so I ordered a Chiappa.  Unfortunately, mine had the really fancy wood, but it's a shooter.  So far I've added a Marble folding sight, and a Lyman peep sight.  I think I'll replace the Lyman with a Marble Improved.  At this point, I'm shooting 300 gain Hornaday's in it, but may swap to 405 Grain Lead.

Later Y'all

PJ Hardtack:

--- Quote from: Coal Creek Griff on March 02, 2017, 09:49:04 PM ---Actually they added an 1892 forum too, right under this one!  I think it's a good idea too.

CC Griff

--- End quote ---

.... so I see. That's a positive step.

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