winchester model 55 .22

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kis2

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i found a pretty clean example of one of these. it seems the handle to slide the bolt isnt factory, and the front sight has a small chip. everything else seems to be in real good condition.

all i know is that its an old rifle that is semi auto single shot, which from now on is my definition of irony.

can anyone give me more info? maybe prices, or a place to get an original handle (if its worth the effort)?

thanks,
kis2
 
Before someone chimes in, yes, there were two Winchester Model 55's. One was a lever-action variant of the Model 94 with a half magazine. The other, the one mentioned here, was a rather odd duck. It was intended to be a streamlined, modern looking single shot. The bolt is retracted with a conventional handle, and locks back. A cartridge is then pushed in through a sort of trap door on the top of the receiver. When the trigger is pulled, the bolt closes and the rifle fires. The breech then opens like a semi-auto, the fired cartridge case is ejected through the bottom, and the bolt locks back for the next shot.

Even The Blue Book has a problem with what to call it. It is listed under "Single Shot" but has another entry under "Semi-Auto" referring to the "Single Shot" entry. Value is around $175 in new condition, $80-90 in average.

There were only some 48,000 made, so based on numbers it should be a collectible, but there is so little interest that many Winchester books don't even mention it. I have not found it listed in any parts books, so parts may be hard to obtain.

I remember when those guns first came out and all I can say is that they were received with a massive lack of interest on the part of the public. They were neither fish nor fowl and no one knew what to make of them.

Jim
 
Yep definate keeper! I have one in like new condition.
It shoots well, even with these tired eyes. Haven't been to
many guns shows of late, but previously I've seen one other
in not too great of shape. Might check with Gun Parts for
needs first. Found an ejector for my Mod 75 Win. to replace
a barley working one.
With Winchester out a business, I would suspect all their
fire arms to increase in value. Many products remain static
for years, and take off like a share in the stock market.:) :)
 
I checked the GPC catalog and Bob's before posting, and neither lists that gun. That is why I said parts would be hard to get. With a low production rate, there will be few factory spare parts and not many parts from broken guns. However, GPC does sometimes have a few odd parts that they don't catalog, so it won't hurt to ask.

Jim
 
gun parts

ive not really ever looked for parts before. could you guys list some good sites where i might find some of these parts? or catalouge or phone number? thanks a lot, i had no idea it was worth that much. i see two are on gunbroker for 500 +, not that theyre worth that much but definately cool.

thanks again
 
Excellent Find...!!!

Instruction manual and schematic...
http://www.pbase.com/thejerk/win_mod_55

I was given one of these several years ago as a "fixer upper"... It had spent the better part of 3 decades as a kitchen rifle, neglected inside a walk in pantry. The bolt was just a bit sticky and with the minuscule bolt handle's angle they thought it was seized "or something".... It took less than a minute to free the bolt, tear it down, and give it a blast of WD40... After a quick swab of the barrel we were shooting it off the back porch...

A few years later I was told that one of the marketing ploys when the Model 55 first came out was that because of the action and the loading style that it was as fast or faster than other autoloading rimfires on the market at the time...

This seemed unlikely so I grabbed my Marlin model 60, my Father In Law and went to the back pasture with several boxes of shells... If we started with both rifles unloaded, I could smoke him through 50 rounds with the Model 55.. However if the Marlin had a full tube to start he could beat me by a half dozen shells... If we were just trying to fire the rifles and not concerned with hitting the plates then the marlin had me beat...

Watch out where you place your off hand on the bottom of the rifle when firing it though... the spent casings fall out the bottom AND most of the time those fun still burning crunchies come out as well. Mine will handle everything from .22 short, long, and long rifle. The CCI rat shot and OLD Winchester crimped rat shot fire and eject great!!

Over all it is a fun rifle... incredibly accurate for an open bolt system...
 
winchester model 55 .22 rifle parts

I have a Winchester model 55 .22 caliber rifle that was my grandfathers. It is missing the "cover" and "cover pin" that allows you to load the gun. I am looking for parts. Anyone out there know where I might get that?
 
Hello! I was searching for Mod 55 stocks when I ran across this thread. So I thought I would share some info with all of you. Back in 1955 I worked for a small engineering company in Detroit as a draftsman on the Win Mod 55. I still have a copy of the full size cutaway drawing I made of the 55. I believe a portion of it was used in their instruction manual. This weapon was designed to be a boys first rifle as it was very safe. It could not be loaded without moving the safety to the "on" position. As for the single shot "Learn to make every shot count" instead of spraying the countryside with bullets. The retail price was to be $14.95 It was not accepted well as most Dads (thru their kids) would rather have a multi-shot gun themselves. Because of this sales were poor and I believe this rifle was discontinued in 1958 or 1959. I have most metal parts for two guns except for the loading ramps (which I think I have a blueprint of) and the aformentioned stocks. If any of you can help in this respect I would appreciate it.
 
Winchester Mod 55 Parts

Richard, The part that you were refering to as the "loading ramp" is also the part I am looking for Other than that I believe I would have an operational piece. It is pretty rough looking but I think It will clean up nice if I spend some time on it.
 
I have a machinist working on making a load plate for mine, a print with dimensions would be great. I'm also working on getting a stock made. Do not go to Great American Gun stocks, I waited over three months and still had to get my money back because they didn't make it.
 
Doylea have a few made and sell them on here

I am looking for the prints too, but if you have a machinist get to it, Have him turn out a few and put me down for one. [email protected]
 
I also might be interested in one of those loading ramps for a Model 55. Mine is made of plastic and the little tip is broken off that holds it down flush with the top of the receiver. [email protected]
 
winchester model 55--> nice little rifle

i've had one of these for many years. don't even remember where i got it. its in pretty good shape, missing whatever thing it was that ramped up the rear site to adjust elevation, but it shoots so easy, i just compensate. i really like the self-cocking action, and having to load it every time slows down the burn rate of ammo, you can still load and shoot pretty quick. the auto on safety makes it a good gun for learning on. you have to think about the safety every time. easy to take down. just saw one go on http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=115840077 auction for $300 dollars. woah. didn't think it was worth that. i like to shoot it while my shoulder is resting from the steel butt recoils of my mosin nagant, 91/30.
 
winchester model 55

I was given one of these for my 7th birthday in 1959..I still have it and it shoots very well. It is a non-conventional type 22, but none the less it's still quite reliable
 
my 13th birthday

it will be 51 years ago come november that for my 13th birthday i got one of those winchester 22 semi auto rifles. once sighted in it was a pretty good shooter. i still have it and its still one of my favorites. i recently noticed a bit of a jamming problem . where the little trap door doesn't always open. long story short , can any of you tell me where i might find a local shop where someone might be knowledgeable enough to fix it . i'm in the county of san diego ca. ive enjoyed all the knowledge and because you happen to be discussing my odd ball rifle , i thought i'd ask my question. speaking of odd balls wasn't the heir to the winchester estate a bit of an odd ball . i visited the house she built in calif and if you or i built a house like that i know we'd never get a packing lic thanks jd, later on i also have a question about a couple other items in my basement later gotta go
 
if you don't get your answer, make a new thread with the title describing your post, sometimes people see new questions in a thread, sometimes they don't.

i don't know any gunsmiths in cali, but good luck! hopefully the little rifle will continue to serve you well
 
Hello
I have also searched for a loading ramp

have not found any..... so I have reconstructed it from some pictures + rifle
and has them cast in aluminum .:)
they must be sanded slightly to adapt + drill a hole


how many are interested?

and yes I am from Denmark so there is a little far to the usa:(

Best Regards
Anders Hatting
www.ahlarsen.dk
 
hi again

here are some pictures of the ramp
DSCN0832.JPG

DSCN0833.JPG

DSCN0834.JPG
 
For all you Winchester Model 55 single-shot rimfire people, a replacement cover(loading ramp) can be purchased at Outback Gun Parts 812-945-0480. I just ordered mine, so do not yet know how they look. They are aftermarket manufactured, not original Winchester parts.
 
Do not go to Great American Gun stocks
Click to expand...

I wholeheartedly second that. The extra cost "custom" stock I got from them looked like it had been chewed out of a log by a beaver. I got less than half my money back on that deal, plus he had the nerve to charge me California sales tax even though I ordered from out of state.

Try Gun Parts for Winchester 55 parts.
 
1958 American Rifleman full-page ad.

Gentlemen:

For your amusement and amazement we hereby present to you a FULL-PAGE ad (reduced, of course) for the infamous WINCHESTER MODEL 55 .22rf AUTOMATIC. (The word automatic alludes to automatic EJECTION once fired - NOT to RELOADING!) THUMBUPSMILIE.jpg

WINCHESTERMDL55MARCH1958_edited.jpg

Best regards ~ ~ ~ 45Broomhandle
 
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