Winchester 1895 Lever Action Rifle Owners Manual

							SAFETY POSITIONSÑ
The safety (also referred to as the manual hammer stop) is
a modern feature built into the action of your Model 1895
to provide an additional level of safety. When the safety
has been placed in the ÒonÓ position it serves the function
of blocking the hammer from striking the firing pin. It
does not prevent the hammer from falling when the trig-
ger is pulled, even if the safety is on. When the trigger is
pulled Ñ with the safety on Ñ the hammer drops, going
immediately to the rebound position without impacting
the firing pin. The safety on your new Model 1895 is built into the top
tang of the receiver. The safety ÒswitchÓ itself is fitted into
an elongated, machined recess in the tang. 
¥ÒOnÓ Position. 
When the safety is pushed all the way rearward it is in the
ÒonÓ position (See Figure 5-A). In this position an ÒSÓ is
visible directly in front of the safety. Moving the safety
fully rearward and exposing the ÒSÓ blocks the hammer
from striking the firing pin. 
THIS IS THE RECOMMENDED POSITION OF
THE SAFETY FOR ALL TIMES EXCEPT WHEN
FIRING IS IMMINENT. 
¥ ÒOffÓ Position. 
When the safety (manual hammer stop) is pushed all the
way forward it is in the ÒoffÓ position (See Figure 5-B).
THIS IS THE POSITION OF THE SAFETY WHEN
FIRING IS IMMINENT.
In this position, when the trig-
ger is pulled, the cocked hammer will fall and strike the
firing pin. If a cartridge is in the chamber, the firing pin
will strike the primer and fire the cartridge. 
9
Safety in ÒonÓ
(safe) positionSafety in off
(fire) position
S S
FIGURE 5AFIGURE 5B 
						

							10
USING THE SAFETYÑ
To place the safety (hammer stop) in the ÒonÓ position:
First, point your rifle in a safe direction, then place the
safety in the ÒonÓ position by pulling it fully to the rear
with your thumb until the red ÒwarningÓ spot is covered
by the safety and the ÒSÓ is visible (Refer again to Figure
5-A).
To place the safety (hammer stop) in the ÒoffÓ position:
Push the safety fully forward, covering the ÒSÓ inscribed
on the rifle, and exposing the red warning dot. When the
red dot is visible below the safety it is in the ÒoffÓ position(Refer again to Figure 5-B). The safety can be actuated
with the hammer in the rebound or cocked position.
LOWERING THE HAMMERÑ
At any time the hammer can be cocked either manually
or by cycling the finger lever fully. Unless shooting is
imminent it is important to lower the hammer immedi-
ately to the rebound position from the cocked position.
To do this: 
1. MAKE SURE THE BARREL IS POINTED IN A
SAFE DIRECTION AND THAT THE SAFETY
(MANUAL HAMMER STOP) IS IN THE ÒONÓ
POSITION.
2. Get a stable grip on your rifle with your hand in shoot-
ing position. Place your thumb on the hammer and firmly
hold the hammer back slightly with your thumb. 
3. While holding the hammer back, apply just enough
pressure on the trigger to release the hammer from the
full-cock position (See Figure 6-A). Immediately remove
your finger from the trigger and slowly and carefully allow
the hammer to lower into the rebound position (See
Figure 6-B).
Firmly hold
the hammer
backFIGURE 6ALower the
hammer to
the rebound 
position
Be extremely careful!FIGURE 6B 
						

							COCKING LEVER CATCHÑ
It is important that the breech be fully closed before your
rifle is fired. To help assure that this is always the case,
your Model 1895 has a cocking lever catch mechanism. 
It is the small hook-shaped part that protrudes from the
bottom of the receiver and engages the lever when it is
fully up. The catch holds the lever up, and keeps the bolt
in the locked position until downward pressure is exerted
by your hand on the lower portion of the two-piece 
finger lever.
To fire your rifle make sure that the finger lever engages
the cocking lever catch (See Figure 7). It is not a safety.It is simply an interlock to assure that the
breech is fully closed before a cartridge can be discharged.
Never rely on the cocking lever catch to prevent accidental
discharge.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THIS RIFLES SAFETY
MECHANISMSÑ
REMEMBER, NEVER RELY TOTALLY ON YOUR
FIREARMÕS MECHANICAL ÒSAFETYÓ
DEVICES. 
As is true with other firearms, when the safety mecha-
nisms on this rifle are engaged, they are designed to pre-
vent accidental discharge. However, these mechanisms
may not necessarily prevent the accidental discharge of
this firearm as a result of jarring or abuse such as occurs
when a firearm is dropped. 
ALWAYS ASSUME THAT YOUR GUN CAN BE
FIRED AT ANY TIME, EVEN WITH ALL SAFETY
MECHANISMS ENGAGED. 
WHENEVER YOU ARE NOT ACTUALLY 
FIRING YOUR RIFLE ALWAYS BE CERTAIN
THAT YOUR RIFLE IS POINTED IN A SAFE
DIRECTION.
11
Cocking
Lever Catch
Finger
Lever FIGURE 7 
						

							12
Continually be aware of the position of the safety (manual
hammer stop) on your rifle. Check it both manually and
visually to avoid any chance of accidental discharge.
Always keep the safety in the ÒonÓ position unless you are
actually firing the rifle. It is a good idea to keep the action
open (with the finger lever down) at all times other than
when you are in the field and shooting is imminent.
IMPORTANT: IT IS ALWAYS RECOMMENDED
THAT THE ACTION BE KEPT OPEN AT ALL
TIMES WHEN YOUR RIFLE IS LAYING ON ANY
BENCH OR TABLE AT A SHOOTING RANGE
OR OTHER FACILITY. 
ALWAYS KEEP THE MUZZLE OF YOUR RIFLE
POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION. FAILURE TO
FOLLOW THE ABOVE INSTRUCTIONS COULD
RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH TO YOURSELF
OR OTHERS. 
ASSEMBLY ANDDISASSEMBLY
Your Model 1895 comes fully assembled in the box. No
assembly is required. No disassembly is required for normal
maintenance. 
If your Model 1895 requires disassembly for any reason
(such as requiring extra cleaning after being dropped in
water) it should be performed by one of our service cen-ters, or by our special ÒClassic TraditionsÓ service facility
in Arnold, Missouri. See ÒService or RepairÓ later in this
manual for details on how to obtain service for your
Winchester rifle.
GENERALOPERATION
ALWAYS KEEP THE MUZZLE POINTED IN A
SAFE DIRECTION. 
Prior to using live ammunition, it is essential that you
familiarize yourself thoroughly with these operating
instructions. Get accustomed to the feel of your new gun. 
¥ Know the forces required to operate the action
¥ Know what forces are required to pull the trigger
¥ ABOVE ALL, KNOW HOW TO PLACE THE
HAMMER INTO THE REBOUND POSITION AND
THE SAFETY (MANUAL HAMMER STOP) INTO
THE ÒONÓ POSITION.
Throughout this manual the ÒactionÓ refers to the mecha-
nism of a firearm which loads and secures the cartridge in
the chamber. If the action resists closing, do not force it.
Small pieces of grit or other obstructions can make it diffi-
cult to close the action. Make sure all surfaces are clean if
any unusual resistance is felt. However, remember that
this is a finely fitted action purposely made with tight fit- 
						

							ting tolerances. This assures your gun of good part-to-part
fit for many years to come and is the sign of a finely crafted
firearm. 
LOADINGPROCEDURES
USE THE CORRECT AMMUNITION AS 
INDICATED BY THE INSCRIPTION ON THE
BARREL. AS EXPLAINED PREVIOUSLY,
BEFORE LOADING YOUR RIFLE MAKE SURE
ALL GREASE AND OIL HAVE BEEN REMOVED
FROM THE BARREL AND CHAMBER, AND
THAT THERE ARE NO OBSTRUCTIONS IN THE
BARREL OR ACTION AREAS. 
LOADING THE CHAMBER Ñ The chamber may be
loaded two ways:
1. Load the chamber by placing a cartridge directly into
the chamber through the opened action (See Figure 8), 
2. Or load the chamber by transferring a cartridge that
was previously loaded into the magazine to the chamber
by operating the finger lever. To cycle the lever, pull it
downward and fully forward with the fingers of your hand
inserted in the finger lever loop (See Figure 9). Then
return it upward to its original position. 
13
Loading directly
into the chamber
FIGURE 8
Working the finger lever Loading a cartridge 
from the magazine
FIGURE 9 
						

							IN EITHER CASE, ALWAYS FIRST PLACE THE 
SAFETY (MANUAL HAMMER STOP) IN THE
ÒONÓ POSITION, AND THEN PLACE THE 
HAMMER INTO THE SAFETY (REBOUND),
POSITION UPON CLOSING THE ACTION.
LOADING THE MAGAZINE Ñ The magazine is
loaded by placing a cartridge directly into the non-
detachable magazine through the open action through the
top. 
1.
MAKE SURE THAT THE SAFETY (MANUAL
HAMMER STOP) IS IN THE ÒONÓ POSITION,
AND THEN OPEN THE ACTION.
2. Place a cartridge in down through the open receiver in
a vertical position base first, and position the base against
the magazine follower just forward of the magazine feed
guides (See Figure 10). 
3. Using the cartridge to depress the follower, push down
on the follower and begin to angle the cartridge so that
the point lowers toward the front of the magazine and the
base starts under the magazine feed guides. 
4. Move the base rearward under the magazine feed guides
(See Figure 11). The spring action of the follower will
pull the cartridge down, into position. You may need to
slide the cartridge back with your finger to make sure the
14
Position the base
against the follower
FIGURE 10
Move the base rearward
under the feed guides
FIGURE 11 
						

							base is seated against the rear of the magazine and that
the bullet points have proper clearance at the front of the
magazine (See Figure 12).
5. Then, insert the next cartridge in the same manner,
pushing the preceding cartridge base down onto the previ-
ous cartridge just forward of the magazine feed guides,
then down into the magazine as explained in steps 3 and
4 (See figure 13). 
6. Repeat this procedure with each cartridge until the
magazine is fully loaded (four cartridges).
BEFORE LOADING, ALWAYS MAKE SURE 
TO ALWAYS PLACE THE SAFETY (MANUAL 
HAMMER STOP) IN THE ÒONÓ POSITION, 
AND THE HAMMER INTO THE REBOUND,
POSITION.
CAUTION: ALWAYS MAKE SURE THE 
CARTRIDGES ARE OF THE PROPER CALIBER
FOR YOUR RIFLE. CHECK THE AMMUNITION
DESIGNATION ON THE BARREL. FAILURE TO
FOLLOW THIS INSTRUCTION CAN RESULT IN
SEVERE DAMAGE TO YOUR GUN AND 
POSSIBLE SERIOUS INJURY TO YOURSELF 
OR OTHERS. 
15
Check for proper bullet clearance at
the front of the magazineFIGURE 12
Use the cartridge base to push down
just forward of the feed guides
FIGURE 13 
						

							CLOSING THE ACTION AFTER LOADINGÑ
In two circumstances it may be necessary to prevent a car-
tridge from feeding from the magazine while the action is
closed. 
IN BOTH SITUATIONS, ALWAYS MAKE
SURE THE SAFETY (MANUAL HAMMER STOP) IS
IN THE ÒONÓ POSITION.
¥ If the magazine has been loaded to full capacity and you
wish to close the action without placing a cartridge in the
chamber it is necessary to push down on the top cartridge
with the fingers of your free hand while you close the
action (See figure 14).¥ Also, if the magazine has been loaded to full capacity
and you wish to add an additional round to the chamber
for a total capacity of five, you must manually insert a car-
tridge in the chamber and then push down on the top car-
tridge while you close the action.
In either case, the cartridge must be pushed down enough
so that the bottom of the breech bolt will not catch the
top of the cartridge rim (and attempt to chamber the car-
tridge) as it moves forward.
IMPORTANT: UNLESS SHOOTING IS 
IMMINENT, DO NOT CARRY ANY GUN WITH A
LOADED ROUND IN THE CHAMBER TO AVOID
ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE.
UNLOADING
Fully unloading your rifle when storing your rifle or in
other appropriate situations is essential to safe gun han-
dling. The safety (manual hammer stop) on your new
Model 1895 is of utmost importance during unloading.
When in the ÒonÓ position, it allows you to cycle the
action and eject loaded cartridges from the magazine with
the hammer blocked from striking the firing pin.
16
Push down the top
cartridge and
close the action
FIGURE 14 
						

							BEFORE UNLOADING, CHECK TO ASSURE
THAT THE SAFETY (MANUAL HAMMER STOP)
IS IN THE ÒONÓ POSITION (SAFE) BY PULLING
IT FULLY TO THE REAR UNTIL THE ÒSÓ JUST
FORWARD OF THE SAFETY IS VISIBLE. KEEP
YOUR FINGER AWAY FROM THE TRIGGER
WHEN CYCLING THE ACTION.
1. WITH THE GUN POINTED IN A SAFE 
DIRECTION AND YOUR FINGER OFF THE 
TRIGGER, SWING THE FINGER LEVER DOWNWARD FULLY. THIS WILL EXTRACT ANY
CARTRIDGE FROM THE CHAMBER AND EJECT
IT. 
Capture (or pick up) the cartridge and return the finger
lever fully upward. 
2. Proceed to operate the finger lever in the same manner
transferring all the remaining cartridges from the maga-
zine to the chamber and then eject them out. It is possi-
ble, with practice, to carefully work the lever and capture
the loaded ejected cartridges with your other hand each
time the lever is cycled (See Figure 15). This is preferable
to letting the loaded cartridges eject onto the ground
where they may be damaged.
THROUGHOUT THE UNLOADING PROCESS
MAKE SURE THAT THE SAFETY (MANUAL
HAMMER STOP) STAYS IN THE ÒONÓ 
POSITION (WITH THE ÒSÓ SHOWING) AND
THAT YOU KEEP YOUR FINGER AWAY FROM
THE TRIGGER AT ALL TIMES.
When cartridges no longer eject when you cycle the
action, further assure that no cartridges remain by open-
ing the action and visually checking the chamber and
feed/magazine mechanism to be sure no cartridges remain. 
17
It is possible to
catch the ejected
cartridges with
your hand
FIGURE 15 
						

							IMPORTANT: ALWAYS VISUALLY NOTE, BY
LOOKING THROUGH THE TOP OF THE OPEN
RECEIVER, THAT THE MAGAZINE FOLLOWER
IS SHOWINGÑAND NOT A CARTRIDGE (SEE
FIGURE 16). 
ALWAYS DOUBLE CHECK THAT NO CAR-
TRIDGE REMAINS IN THE CHAMBER (SEE FIG-
URE 17).
After the last live round is moved out of the magazine and
ejected, immediately lower the hammer to the safe
(rebound) position as explained previously.
IN THECASE OF AMISFIRE
Only rarely will modern factory ammunition experience a
misfire. If this ever happens to you when shooting your
Model 1895 please follow these instructions carefully. 
CAUTION: IN CASE OF MISFIRE, KEEP THE
BARREL POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION,
PLACE THE MANUAL HAMMER STOP IN THE
ÒONÓ POSITION AND CAREFULLY OPEN
ACTION WHILE AVOIDING DIRECT EXPOSURE
TO THE BREECH BY YOURSELF AND 
OTHERS. 
18
Visually check the
follower to make
sure no cartridges
are present
FIGURE 16
Visually check the
chamber. Make sure
no cartridge is
chambered
FIGURE 17