Winchester 1886 Lever Actions Rifle Instructions Manual

Cycling the lever smoothly  moves a cartridge from 
the  tubular  magazine  to the chamber. After  firing, 
working  the lever  ejects  the empty cartridge nearly 
straight  up and  slightly  to the  right, over  your head. 
Returning  the lever upward cycles a new cartridge 
from  the magazine  into the chamber.  The 
1886s 
uncanny,  reliable, smooth function  made it an 
instant  success  in its day.  We are sure  you will appre
- 
ciate  its incredible  design and high  level  of precision 
as you...

Throughout this manual the “action”  refers to the 
mechanism 
of this  rifle  which  loads and secures  the 
cartridge  in the  chamber. 
IMPORTANT: Refer  to Figures 2A-C for  general 
part  descriptions  and terminology regarding your  new 
rifle.  You must become familiar  with all part names 
listed before proceeding  with the rest 
of the  instruc- 
tions  in this manual.  

The serial number  is located  on the  bottom  of the 
receiver, where  the receiver  meets the forearm  (see 
Figure 
3). Record  the serial  number  at the front  of 
this  book for  future reference. 
Your  Winchester  Model 
1886 is designed  to shoot 
modem  factory cartridges only.  The caliber  of your 
new  Model 
1886 is inscribed  on the top  of the  barrel 
in front  of the  receiver. 
MAKE  SURE YOU USE ONLY  THE EXACT 
AMMUNITION/ CALIBER AS LISTED ON  THE BARREL. 
IMPORTANT: USE  ONLY...

tion and in  strict compliance  with instructions  and 
data contained  in current  reloading  manuals. 
Winchester  ammunition  is always  an excellent 
choice  for your  new Winchester  rifle, delivering  the 
unmatched  performance  and dependability  you want. 
DISCHARGING FIREARMS IN POORLY 
VENTILATED  AREAS, CLEANING 
FIREARMS, 
OR HANDLING  AMMUNITION 
MA 
Y RESULT  IN EXPOSURE  TO L EAD AND 
OTHER SUBSTANCES  KNOWN TO CAUSE 
BIRTH DEFECTS, REPRODUCTIVE HARM 
AND OTHER SERIOUS  PHYSICAL INJURY....

you should first wipe  the mechanism  completely 
clean, clean  the bore  and apply a  few drops  of quality 
oil  on the  following surfaces  (See Figure 
4): 
• Along  the breech bolt  surface. 
• Along the breech bolt  rail surfaces. 
• On all pivot points  and bearing surfaces on the 
lever mechanism. 
Avoid  applying  too much  oil. Only  a light  film is 
necessary.  Cleaning and Maintenance  Suggestions 
should  be followed before  each oiling. 
Your  Model 
1886 features a  new, innovative...

rebound position and the safety (manual hammer 
stop) are  intended  to work  together  to provide pro
- 
tection  against unintentional or  accidental firing. 
HAMMER POSITIONS  — 
The rebounding hammer  on your  Model 1886 has 
two  positions  as  follows: 
• Rebound position. This position (See  Figure 5) 
takes the place  of the  dropped  and half-cocked  posi- 
tions found on the original Model 1886s of a century 
ago.  The  rebounding feature  of the  hammer  essential
- 
ly eliminates  the dropped...

hammer is moved  to when  firing is imminent (See 
Figure  6). It is also  the position  the hammer  moves to 
when  the action  is cycled  using the finger lever. 
WHEN  THE HAMMER IS IN THE  COCKED 
POSITION  THE SAFETY SHOULD  BE IN 
THE 
“ON”POSITION (WITH THE “S” 
SHOWING) UNLESS FIRING 
IS IMMINENT. 
SAFETY POSITIONS - 
The  safety  (also referred  to as the  manual hammer 
stop)  is a modem  feature built  into the action  of your 
Model  1886  to provide  an additional  level of safety. 
When...

“On” Position. 
When the  safety is pushed  all the  way  rearward  it is 
in the  “on” position  (See Figure 
7-A). In this  position 
an 
“S” is  visible  directly  in front of the  safety.  Moving 
the  safety fully rearward  and exposing  the 
“S” blocks 
the  hammer  from striking  the firing  pin. 
THIS IS  THE RECOMMENDED  POSITION OF 
THE SAFETY FOR ALL TIMES  EXCEPT 
WHEN  FIRING  IS IMMINENT. 
“Off” Position. 
When the  safety (manual  hammer  stop) is pushed  all 
the  way  forward  it is in...

To place the safety  (hammer stop) in  the “off” posi- 
tion: Push the safety fully forward,  covering the “S” 
inscribed on the rifle,  and exposing the red warning 
dot. When the red dot  is visible below  the safety  it is 
in 
the “off position  (Refer again to Figure 7-B). The 
safety can be actuated  with the hammer  in the 
rebound  or cocked position. 
LOWERING THE HAMMER — 
At  any  time  the hammer  can be cocked  either manu- 
ally or by  cycling  the finger lever fully.  Unless shoot- 
ing is...

from the full-cock position (see Figure 8). 
Immediately remove your finger  from the trigger and 
slowly and carefully  allow the hammer to lower into 
the rebound  position (see  Figure 9). 
IMPORTANT  INFORMATION  ABOUT  THIS  RIFLES 
SAFETY  MECHANISMS 
— 
REMEMBER,  NEVER RELY TOTALLY 
ON  YOUR  FIREARMS  MECHANICAL 
SAFETY DEVICES.