Winchester updated their website and it appears the solid frame 1895, .405 Win and the 1886 Extra Light, .45-70 are back on the menu.
I don't know that much about lever actions in general but these two offerings intrigue me more than the small bore levers or the Marlin (sorry Marlin fans)
Both were designed by John Browning , Both were used extensively by Teddy Roosevelt so I can't even use that as criteria to choose.
Ammo cost not really a factor either. I would get a set of dies for either and load my own. It would be my first lever gun.

Does anyone own one of these and what can you tell me about them?



http://www.winchesterguns.com/...mily=015C&mid=534070




http://www.winchesterguns.com/...mily=024C&mid=534053

Question:
Which Winchester lever in 2010

Choices:
1895, .405 Win
1886 Extra Light, .45-70

 

I can't decide. Get both. I was just on the site and looking at the 405 and the 1886 in 45-90 take down. I think they are all sweet.

I've got both, like both. The factory sights on both suck, plan on a reciever sight.
Both are accurate and fun to shoot.
Reloading data for the 45-70 is plentiful as is the selection of factory and casy bullet. Not so much for the 405.

Jim

I have the 1886 take down 45/90 shoots jacketed bullets best 300 Gr JHP IMR3031 64 Gr Got bullets from Midway 100 in box # on box 60054158801025 3 shots at 50 Yds all in same hole ! I tried cast bullets and it don't like them ! probably me ?

I have three .45-70 rifles.Hmm... The ´86 Extra Light is nice, but I would coose the .33WCF for it.
Befor a few years, I always dreamed about a ´95 /.405WCF, but I never got one. Then, I got a old double chambered for the .405WCF and I love it. Today, I don´t know. The M95 is a very nice rifle, with a smooth action. My dad have a .30-06 ´95 rifle and if I can get one, the first I will change is the steelbuttplate to a good recoil pad.


Martin

I have two Winny 1895 in .405 WCF (the takedown is the one I hunt with) and a 1886 .45-90 takedown - all made by Miroku for Davidsons.
Both rifles are very accurate and fun to shoot (the Deluxe 1895 .405 has never been fired).
I have a Marbles tang peep on the 1886 and Williams FP receiver peep on the 1895.
as previously suggested, if you cannot decide, buy both and give them a try, then decide.

quote:

as previously suggested, if you cannot decide, buy both and give them a try, then decide. Cool

I have the Browning M1886 carbine, made by Miroku. It was my first rifle, I bought, when I was 18 years old, and I love it.
At the moment, it´s nearly impossible to get new Winchester lever rifles in Germany. The only dealer for US Guns is "The Duke", but expensive. But at the moment, we´re "waiting" to get new gun laws and the price for used guns are falling down. You can get a original M95 made in the ´30 or a nearly new Marlin or Winchester rifle for under 400.-€. Everbody wants to sell, not buy.


Martin

I have almost what is both. The 1895, standard and high grade. The standard has a Lyman repro #23(I think) receiver sight. Great gun with a lot of kick. Then there is the 1886 take down, 26" full octagon barrel, pistol grip and crescent buttplate, not fun to shoot with heavy loads. Overall I like the 1895 in .405 better.

I voted the extra light 45/70, but honestly -- I will probably buy the 45/90 takedown and have it converted to 50-110.

The boxed models are a 30-40 carbine and a 30-06 case finished takedown.

Buckeye, that's just mean posting those pics while I try to make a decision Thanks for the opinions so far ...

Oh, are we allowed to be mean on this forum? Well then, here is some lever gun eye candy for you:
Win 1895 .405 - shooter and looker

Win 1886 TD .45-90

get the 405, everbody and his brother has a 45-70

Buckeye What is the modle of the pistol grip in the picture above ? Is it the aquisition ?

Concho,
it is one of the Davidson's run of 1886 deluxe 45/70 takedowns. This was the octogon barrel run. There was also a 1/2 octogon 1/2 round run that they just sold out of at the end of the year.

I was going to get a 1876 Uberti at Cabela's but I read too many negative things about them so I am now having Cablea's trying to find that rifle in your picture for me , I told them 45/70 but a 405 would be ok , how much are they ? and Thanks

Big Dude... Your statement should tell you something.

PS Just messin with ya..

I had both and kept the 1895 in 405 (a take down). Just a nicer handling rifle in my opinion with a bit more range to it than a 45/70. BTW, the 1895 in 405 will be a very limited run for 2010.

I voted for the M'86 LW in .45-70 too...but what I'd really prefer most of all is a M86 LW in .33 Winchester. Had one before, and have always loved that rifle and cartridge in that configuration.

Sold it. Dumb move. No, REALLY STUPID move.

Now I haven't been able to find one that doesn't look like a parts gun......

quote:

I voted for the M'86 LW in .45-70 too...but what I'd really prefer most of all is a M86 LW in .33 Winchester.

I've got an 1886 rifle in .45-70 and a Win. 1895 in .405 Win. I guess I will hold out for the extra light.

I think the 1886 Extra Light is screwed up.

I dont even think there ever was an extra light
as all the ones I ever read about weighed about
12 or 13 pounds. Also with 32 or 34 inch barrels
I think. I want the real deal not some streamlined lightweight toy. I also recall
the original 1886 was available in the 50-90
cartridge. Man that is pretty dog gone big.
Makes the 45-70 look like a junior player.
Certainly might explain why weighing
12 or 13 pounds was a good idea

Concho,
I paid right at $1300.00 for it with tax included.

P47,
My Winny 1886 .45-90 with 26 inch octagon barrel weighs 9.5 pounds empty and over 10 with a full magazine. It is a lot of gun, as shown in my second reply post above and that weight helps dampen the kick of heavy loads.

Even with a good recoil pad, the 1886 EL kicks a bit when firing heavy .45-70 405 gr loads at over 2000 fps. The same load from my .45-90 is unremarkable with respect to recoil.
However, with most (federal, Winchester, remington, etc)factory loads of 300 - 405 grains the EL is a joy to handle and shoot.

Tough call, dSmith.45 --

I feel your pain.

Top one is a SOLID FRAME
Bottom two are TAKE DOWNS

















Here's the SAECO #018, 405 grain cast wheel weight samples.






Winchester 1886 Taked Down 45-70.
Bullets sized to .459 and 28 grains of Hodgden 4198
Here is the SAECO 405 grainer at 30 yards shot resting on my elbows.

Winchester 1886 45-70 Take Down with Marbles Tang Sights and White Bead Front Sight..
485 Grain WW lead Gas Checked NEI bullet size .459.
28 grains of Hodgden 4198. Down two grains from the original load of 30 grains
Winchester Primers
Rear sight was removed and replaced with a Marbles filler.


The 485 grainers are the ones in back.




The target on the right is my first group shot a 30 yards resting on my elbows, standing off a bench.
The second target on the left was same position, after adjusting the Marbles tangs sights. Not bad for a half blind guy.











.

Here's the solid frame with the MVA Vernier sight.

Those are some persuasive points you made, Duke

Duke, those are some handsome rifles!!!

Looks like some more bases to make 475 Turnbull rifles out of!!!

okay Doug, only one cup of coffee from now on within an hour of posting here! Seriously, the Turnbull conversions are one of the best things that could happen to a new '86.

Duke,
where might one acquire one of those riatas? Do you have to tip the MVA back when you work the lever? Is that the Schuetzen or Short Range?
Neat rifles. It's hard to screw up an '86.

DSmith, obviously you need to buy one of each. If you reload I might suggest the 45-90.

Rich

I got the Riata off ebay ISS.
The MVA was too tall and would have opted for the shorter one. It clears the bolt.

Get one of each and put new Lyman 21 receiver sights on them (from Buffalo Arms) which is period correct for them both, and adjustable up to 500 yards. I just wish Winchester would put the correct barrel contour on that .405 instead of the one used on the 30-40 Krag. Should be a straight taper, not concave/ tapered.

Thanks guys.

quote:

Originally posted by Doug Turnbull:
Looks like some more bases to make 475 Turnbull rifles out of!!!

Oh yea!

quote:

Originally posted by dSmith.45:

Does anyone own one of these and what can you tell me about them?

Both.

The Japanese rifles are well made and accurate,
you will enjoy either--
or as I do --
both.
In an either/or-- I'd take the 405 first.

very cool splash. i nearly blew it as i read about a very heavy charge of 3031 till i reread the WHOLE article and realized that it was going inside a 45/90. lol...these ol eyes get me into more trouble.

very nice pict's of some very tastey rifles and this is the accuracy to be demanded with any lever.......as i said ...very cool splash fellas.

I used to think that the 1886 in 45/70 was the best lever rifle on the Planet....

That was until I shot Mike Bradys 1895 in 405 WCF at prairie dogs.

I now have an 1895 Take Down in 405. It is my favorite lever rifle.

I really like the way it handles and shoots.

How does it (45/70) rate load wise compared to Marlin? Can it handle the heavy loads?