Winchester Long Guns

[Edge]

Can anyone tell me in what models and calibers Winchester produced lever-action rifles with extra long barrels for "sharpshooting".

Were they special order only, or were a certain number produced for general sale?

Did they have a special designation?

Or were they something only found in the movies?

[Army GI]

Hmm, to my knowledge there was a time way back in the day where when you could order your gun straight from Winchester. Anything and everything was customizable including barrel length, type of wood, finish, etc.

That said, I know of a few models that were produced with "long range" barrels (up to 30 inches) in the 1873 and 1894 models for 44-40 and 30-30. They probably had an option for tang sights since neither cartridge is really a flat shooter.

Sorry I don't know much more than that. You could probably ask this question at www.SASSNET.COM/forums and get a whole bunch of answers.

[gunboat]

The only real "sharp shooting" long barreled rifles from winchester was the Hi-wall single shot M1885 -- It came in a variety of calibers such as 45-90, 50-110 and various barrel weights/lengths -- The M76 and 86 were also available with longer than standard length barrels in similiar calibers to the M85 -- The m73, 92 only came in short cartridges 25-20, 32-20, 38-40 and 44-40, no "sharp shooters" there. The M95 is a different cat since it used mostly "modern cartridges" 30/03,30/06,30/40,7.62russ and others. No extra long barrels, though the Russian musket was longer than the standard rifle length -- --- "sharp shooter", one who was a member of Col Hiram Berdans civil war regiment armed with Sharps rifles --- my ha-penny

[TRAP55]

None really built as "target" rifles, but all could be special ordered with longer barrels, round, octagon, or half round. Full or half magazine tubes, front globe sights, rear Express sights, rear tang or vernier mid and long range sights. Custom wood and pistol grip buttstocks too.
To find out if your Winchester lever gun came with any of these options, or went back for factory repairs, you can request a factory letter from the Cody Museum.

[Edge]

Thanks for all the great info guys. Here's what I was told by your buddy Bert, Trap...

1. The Model 1873 lever-action was made with a standard 24-inch barrel. Special order lengths up to 36-inches could be ordered. The most common extra length special order was a 28-inch barrel.

2. The Model 1876 lever-action was made with a standard 28-inch barrel. Special order lengths up to 36-inches could be ordered.

3. The Model 1886 lever-action was made with a standard 26-inch barrel. Special order lengths up to 36-inches could be ordered, with a 30-inch barrel being the most common extra length.

4. The Model 1892 lever-action was made with a standard 24-inch barrel. Special order lengths up to 36-inches could be ordered. The most common extra length special order was a 28-inch or 30-inch barrel.

5. The Model 1894 lever-action was made with a standard 26-inch barrel. Special order lengths up to 36-inches could be ordered, with a 30-inch barrel being the most common extra length.


Now, has anyone ever shot any of these rifles with extra long barrels, and how accurate were they? What sight was on it?

[TRAP55]

I have shot:
1873 in 32-20 with a 30" bbl, Lyman tang sight, very accurate if I did my part
1886 in .50-110 with a 32" bbl, repro vernier tang sight, set trigger, thing kicked like a mule and I got trigger shy
1894 in 25-35 with a 30" bbl, Lyman tang sight, sweet rifle to shoot!

Edge, Bert will have a table at the Reno Gunshow in April (17-19), it's worth the trip just to see some of his 1885's. If you want a history lesson on Winchester, Bert will talk your ear off.
If you're shopping for a Winchester, you'll make his day. By the time you walk in the door, he knows who has what, and who has the deals, and can bargain them down for you. A bunch of us from several gun forums meet up there once a year, this year will have a good turnout.
I just picked up this 1873 44-40 Saddle Ring Carbine I'll be bringing up to find a buttstock for.

[Edge]

I would love to go to the Reno Gun Show, but it was my understanding that California residents couldn't purchase there and just drive 'em home. Would a purchase at the show have to be sent to a California FFL?

By the way, sweet 1873.

I'm not sure what's got me on the Winchester kick lately. I guess it was searching for a 1906 and then doing research on the other models. I think the 1894 is what attracts my interest the most right now.

[TRAP55]

I would love to go to the Reno Gun Show, but it was my understanding that California residents couldn't purchase there and just drive 'em home. Would a purchase at the show have to be sent to a California FFL?

Antiques you can, anything else...I know some CA FFL's that'll be there.
38-55 in a 1894, hell....in any action, is an accurate round, and easy on the shoulder.

[Army GI]

5. The Model 1894 lever-action was made with a standard 26-inch barrel. Special order lengths up to 36-inches could be ordered, with a 30-inch barrel being the most common extra length.

What the hell? I thought 20" was the standard barrel length for the '94?

[TRAP55]

20" was the standard for carbines, 26" for the rifles.
I "had" a Trapper 1894 with a 14" barrel made in 1913. It was stolen by crackheads in Fresno back in '91, along with a 1886 half magazine in 45/70.

[Army GI]

Damn, I need to find me a rifle with a 26"

I wonder why I never EVER see any for sale? I always see 94's with 20" but never with anything longer (or shorter for that matter).

Was it that even though the 26" was standard, it wasn't "common"?

[Edge]

Antiques you can, anything else...I know some CA FFL's that'll be there.

By antique you mean manufactured in 1898 or before?