Winchester 1885 Rimfire Rifle Instructions Manual

As one of the Classic Traditions models you can expect
the same quality and satisfaction as with the original, 
historic Model 1885 introduced by Winchester in 1885.
And, as with the original, you’ll appreciate its elegant
design, strong action and smooth functioning.
IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS 
FOR
MODEL 1885
SINGLE SHOT, LOW WALL 
RIMFIRE RIFLES
275 Winchester Avenue
Morgan, UT, USA 84050-9333
Winchester trademarks licensed from Olin Corporation
Licensee 

Important instructions for 
Winchester Model 1885 
SINGLE SHOT, LOW WALL 
RIMFIRE RIFLES
Customer Service Department
275 Winchester Avenue
Morgan, Utah 84050-9333
Phone: 1-800-945-5237
If you have any questions or comments regarding 
your new firearm, please feel free to write or call us.
Use the space below to record information about 
your new firearm.
Model______________________________________
Caliber _____________________________________
Serial Number  ______________________________
Purchased From...

chambered as indicated on the barrel, to prevent
excessive pressure and possible serious personal
injury.
4. Incorrectly reloaded ammunition can cause 
serious personal injury and damage to the firearm 
due to excessive pressure. Reload only after proper
instruction and in strict compliance with instruction
and data contained in current reloading manuals.
5. Never point a gun at anything you do not intend
to shoot. Always keep it pointed in a safe direction in
case of accidental discharge.
6. Always...

5
13. Store guns in a clean, dry place out of reach of
children and separated from stored ammunition.
14. Never alter any parts of your gun. Any
alterations or adjustments that may become necessary
to the operating mechanism should be performed by a
qualified gunsmith.
15. Hunting from elevated surfaces such as tree
stands is dangerous. Doing so may increase the risk of
handling any firearm. Always make certain that the
stand being used is safe, sturdy and stable. Always
make certain your firearm is...

76
MODEL1885 FEATURES
Traditional open sights
are easily adjustable for 
elevation and drift
adjustable for windage
FIGURE1
The Winchester 1885 Low Wall of today 
is a careful reproduction of one of the original 
configurations. You can take pride in owning one 
of the finest, most accurate rifles ever produced. 
The massive breech block design
is one reason the Model 1885 has
proven so accurate 
A special internal hanger system
allows the forearm to be free floating
so it will not affect accuracy
When...

9
SERIALNUMBER
The serial number can be found on the lower right
side of the receiver toward the rear corner (Figure 3).
Record it in the space provided at the front of this
manual for future reference.
AMMUNITION
Your Winchester Model 1885 Low Wall is designed
to shoot modern factory cartridges only. The caliber
of your new Model 1885 is inscribed on the barrel
near the receiver. Use only ammunition for which
your Model 1885 is chambered — as indicated on the
barrel — to prevent excessive pressure and...

OPERATION OF THEHAMMER
Like most lever action rifles with exposed hammers, 
the Winchester Model 1885 does not have a separate
manual safety. The exposed hammer is an excellent
indicator of the status of the rifle. The hammer 
has three positions: full cock, half cock, and dropped
or fired.
FULL COCK POSITION—
The hammer is all the way to the rear (Figure 4). At
this point, any pull or tug on the trigger will force the
hammer to fall, firing the rifle.The hammer can be
placed in this position in either...

from the thumb while the rifle is being cocked
(Figure 5). The half cock hammer position should be
used for handling and storage — any time that the
rifle is not actually being fired. It is important to 
note that the Model 1885 has an inertia sear which
prevents the hammer from going to the dropped 
position unless the trigger is pulled with the hammer
in the fully cocked position.
DROPPED OR FIRED POSITION— 
The dropped hammer position is the position of the
hammer after a round is fired (Figure 6)....

PLACING THE HAMMER ON HALF COCK—
After loading the rifle, when shooting is not imminent,
the correct position of the hammer is at half cock, as 
pictured in Figure 5 (see “Operation of Hammer” section
for correct procedure). When the hammer is in the half
cock position, you need only thumb the hammer back to
the full cock position to prepare the rifle for firing.
UNLOADING— 
After firing, or in order to remove a cartridge, swing
the lever down crisply. As the lever swings forward,
the breech block and...

NEVER ATTEMPT IN ANY WAY TO MODIFY
OR ALTER SEAR ENGAGEMENT OR ANY
OTHER TRIGGER ASSEMBLY COMPONENT.
IN THECASE OF AMISFIRE
Only rarely will modern factory ammunition experience
a misfire. If this ever happens to you when shooting
your Model 1885, please follow these instructions
carefully. 
CAUTION: IN CASE OF MISFIRE, KEEP THE
BARREL POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION
AND CAREFULLY OPEN THE ACTION
WHILE AVOIDING DIRECT EXPOSURE TO
THE BREECH BY YOURSELF AND OTHERS. 
Carefully inspect the extracted cartridge....