Guns International #: 101639871

Category - Winchester Rifles - Model 1886 - Winchester Rifles - Lever Post-64

Category
Winchester Rifles - Model 1886
Winchester Rifles - Lever Post-64

Winchester/Miroku .45-70 Model 1886 Short Rifle

Description:
Like new without the box.  Beautiful wood figure in the American Black Walnut stock.  This gun is one of Winchester’s limited production “historical rifle” models, which for 2012 include the Models 1885, 1886, 1892, and 71. All were influenced by the great gun designer, John M. Browning. Browning began working with Winchester in the mid-1880s. At the time, Winchester did not have, but desperately needed, a big-bore hunting rifle. The Browning-designed 1886 filled the slot. In the 1880s, Winchester rifles were instantly recognizable to the public, because of the popularity of the Models 1866, 1873, and 1876, all based on the B. Tyler Henry designed lever action.

The gun is produced in Japan by long-time Browning and Winchester partner Miroku. Miroku does an excellent job manufacturing gun. The metal fit and finish are markedly better than most production guns today. All external metal parts are highly polished and hot-salt blued, yielding a beautiful, deep black, high-gloss finish. The wood-to-metal fit is very good; the wood is slightly proud, as it should be in a new gun to allow for future refinishing and shrinkage. The American black walnut stock is lightly oiled; this will allow the wood to take on age patina with use. 

The original 1886 was known for its smooth action and the new Model 1886 lives up to that reputation, right out of the box. I expect it will get even smoother with use. The trigger pull is 5 pounds 10 ounces, which is too heavy. However, there is no creep and the release is clean and predictable. There are some design changes. In addition of the tang safety, quarter-cock safety-notch, lever action and complicates the addition of a tang sight. Another change is the addition of a rebounding hammer, which is a safety feature I like and which makes the tang safety even more useless. There are also subtle internal parts changes, which mean that parts are not interchangeable with the original; not good for gunsmiths needing parts. The action is powered by coil springs, which are more reliable than the old leaf springs. The 24” barrel and long magazine on the Model 1886 Short Rifle make the gun feel balanced, despite its eight-pound, six-ounce weight. Six rounds in the magazine add another eight ounces and make the gun slightly muzzle-heavy. This adds a degree of stability to the rifle for offhand shooting. The gun is well balanced for hunting, which is not news to people familiar with these rifles since 1886.
The loading gate is large and the cartridges are large, but the loading gate spring is not overly strong. I never pinched my finger pushing shells into the magazine. Winchester advertises this model with a 6-round magazine, but I easily loaded eight factory length rounds and never had any feeding problems. Specifications for the Winchester Model 1886 Short Rifle:

• Item #: 534175142
• Caliber: .45-70
• Barrel length: 24” (round)
• Magazine capacity: 6 rounds
• Twist: 1 in 20"
• Sights:  Buckhorn rear, Marble brass bead front; receiver drilled and tapped for receiver sights
• Stock: American black walnut, oil finished, no checkering
• Metal finish: high luster bluing
• OAL: 42 ¾”
• LOP: 13 ¼”
• Drop at comb: 1 ¼”
• Drop at heel: 2 ½”
• Weight: 8 lbs. 6oz.

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Rifle Caliber: .45-70 Government
Manufacturer: Winchester
Model: 1886