Winchester Model 1886 Trapper

[Dr T]

While browsing in my LGS yesterday, I noticed a stubby little lever gun with a fat barrel.

On closer inspection, it turned out to be a brand new Winchester Model 1886 in 45-70. The gun had a nice, deep bluing job, the action was smooth as silk, and the satin finish on the stock was a nice complement to the OK walnut (it has a little fiddle in it, but was mostly straight grained).

The only two drawbacks were the crescent butt plate (my shoulder hurt just looking at it) and the price (a bit hefty).

Has anyone had a chance to take one of these out to play yet?

 

[Ar180shooter]

I have one of the 1886 rifles and it's fantastic. Beautiful workmanship, truly deserving of the name "Winchester". I'd rather have it than 2 new Marlins, so take that for what it is.

 

[Steve S.]

I once owned an 1886 rifle (Miroku made) in 45-70 that was top shelf in all aspects (&$@? I should have kept that gun moment). They simply make great stuff - firearms you can hold and "feel" the quality - good stuff!

 

[forward observer]

I have one of the Miroku made Winchester 1886's, but mine has a 24 inch barrel--even though they still call it a short rifle. I snagged it NIB off GB.com a few months ago.
Fit, finish, and quality are second to none. It makes one truly realize just how homely Marlins are in comparison.

There's hardly any game in my neck of the woods that demands a 45-70, but I wanted it to fill in my Winchester bucket list.

I took it to the range a couple of weeks ago to sight in. Knowing that I'd be shooting from a bench, which makes a crescent butt plate difficult to position correctly, I added a slip on recoil pad--the kind that comes with variable thickness interchangeable dense foam inserts. I carved one of inserts up to fill in the curve of the crescent.

After about 20 rounds my shoulder was none the worse for wear. Shooting off hand is different since it allows one to position the butt plate further out on the upper arm---plus your body is not so immobile as when setting at a bench. Still, I would imagine the shorter barreled Trappers are real thumpers.

However, my aging eyes have trouble dealing with semi-buckhorn sights, so I just got in a new Williams FP receiver aperture sight. The receiver comes already tapped for this style. Consequently, I'll be repeating the process next week.

Cheers

 

[az_imuth]

Not the Winchester, but the Browning 1886 that was made in the same shop back in 1992, I believe. Mine is a saddle ring carbine with the 22" barrel. I'll echo what the others have said...excellent craftsmanship throughout, smooth as silk, and built like a tank.

 

[forward observer]

az_imuth


The only real difference between the Browning stamped 1886 and the more recent Winchester 1886 is the addition of a rebounding hammer and tang safety. This lawyer safety essentially replaces the half cock for the newer Winchester reproductions. This a also true of the model 1892 and 1895, which have also been produced by Miroku under both names.

Because of this the Browning marked 86's, 92's, and 95's are actually more true to the original John M. Browning's designs when he was developing them for Winchester back in the day.

Consequently, the earlier rifles like yours are quite desirable and tend to bring a premium when they appear at auction.

Cheers