Winchester 1895 Lever Action Rifle Owners Manual

							Carefully inspect the ejected cartridge. If the primer is
indented, the cartridge should be disposed of in a manner
that would prevent accidental injury to you or others. If
there is no indentation, your gun has malfunctioned and
should be serviced. See ÒService or RepairÓ later in this
manual for details on how to obtain service for your
Winchester rifle.
It is important that you be fully familiar and totally com-
petent with your rifleÕs handling and operation proce-
dures. With the safety (manual hammer block) in the
ÒonÓ position, it is possible to cock the hammer and pull
the trigger, and then, when the cartridge fails to fire,
think the rifle has misfired. However, you may have 
merely forgotten to move the safety to the ÒoffÓ position.
In either case, always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe
direction until you determine the cause.
FIRING
IMPORTANT: WHEN YOU ARE PREPARING TO
SHOOT, IT IS ALWAYS ESSENTIAL THAT YOU
BE TOTALLY SURE OF YOUR TARGET.
ALWAYS BE AWARE OF ALL OBJECTS
BEHIND YOUR TARGET. KNOW THE EXACT
LOCATION OF PERSONS WITH YOU AND ANY OTHERS IN YOUR VICINITY. PICK YOUR TAR-
GET WISELY AND CAREFULLY. 
With a loaded cartridge in the chamber,THE 
SAFETY (MANUAL HAMMER STOP) IN THE
ÒONÓ POSITION, THE HAMMER IN THE
REBOUND POSITION AND YOUR FINGER OFF
THE TRIGGER: 
1. Firmly position your thumb on the hammer and draw
the hammer back to the full-cock position 
(See Figure 18). 
2. Place the safety in the ÒoffÓ position by pushing it fully
forward, covering the ÒSÓ. 
19
Firmly position your thumb on the
hammer and draw back to full cock
Keep the muzzle pointed
in a safe directionFIGURE 18 
						

							CAUTION: YOUR RIFLE IS NOW READY TO
FIRE. REMEMBER, THE RECOIL FROM A
LARGE CALIBER CENTERFIRE RIFLE WILL BE
SOMEWHAT HEAVIER THAN MOST OTHER
GUNS, SO FIRMLY SHOULDER YOUR GUN.
3. Take aim, and Ñ when on target Ñ squeeze the trigger
smoothly, without jerking. After firing, let the trigger
return to the fully forward position. 
To continue the loading process and chamber another
round for the next shot:
4. Swing the finger lever fully down extracting and eject-
ing the fired cartridge case from the chamber. 
5. Close the action by returning the finger lever upward.
The closing of the action will transfer a new cartridge
from the magazine to the chamber, leaving the hammer in
a cocked Òready to fireÓ position. Repeat step #3 above or
go immediately to step #6 below.
6.
WHEN THROUGH FIRING ALWAYS 
IMMEDIATELY PLACE THE SAFETY (MANUAL
HAMMER STOP) IN THE ÒONÓ POSITION
(REFER BACK TO FIGURE 5-A), AND THE
HAMMER IN THE REBOUND POSITION (REFER
BACK TO FIGURE 6).
To later fire additional cartridges from the magazine Ñ
with an empty casing still in the chamber Ñ simply work
the finger lever downward fully ejecting the empty car-
tridge and then return the lever to the original upward
position. Repeat the firing sequence again.
WHEN FIRING IS COMPLETED OR WHEN
SHOOTING IS NO LONGER IMMINENT, 
IMMEDIATELY RETURN THE SAFETY (MANU-
AL HAMMER STOP) TO THE ÒONÓ POSITION
AND RETURN THE HAMMER TO THE
REBOUND POSITION. 
IMPORTANT: UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES
SHOULD YOU MOVE ON OR CONTINUE TO
HUNT WITH YOUR HAMMER OR SAFETY IN
THE FIRE POSITION.
At this point you will need to either refill the magazine
with loaded cartridges (if shooting is imminent), or fully
unload your rifle (if shooting is completed).
IMPORTANT: ALWAYS KEEP YOUR MODEL 1895
SHOULDERED WHEN EJECTING AN EMPTY
CARTRIDGE CASE. 
Ejection is up and slightly to the
right. If you eject a cartridge with the rifle lowered and
the action directly in front of your face, it is possible that
the ejected cartridge could strike the shooter in the face.
20 
						

							Caution should be taken by the shooter and bystanders
behind the shooter. When an empty cartridge is correctly
ejected it will fall to the ground in an area behind and to
the right of the shooter.
SIGHT ADJUSTMENTS 
Model 1895 rifles are fitted with traditional open sights. 
OPENSTYLESIGHTS
Your firearm can be adjusted to shoot higher by moving
the rear sight elevator backward by one or more notches. 
In order to shoot lower, the elevator can be moved for-
ward (See Figure 19). 
The rear sight is attached to the barrel in a dove-tailed
slot machined into the barrel. By gently tapping the rearsight base (where fastened to the barrel) to the right, your
gun will shoot more to the right. An adjustment to the
left can be made by tapping the base to the left 
(See Figure 20). 
Care should be taken not to mar the finish or bend sights
when adjustments are made. 
A NONMARRING BRASS, PLASTIC OR FIBER
HAMMER AND/OR DRIFT IS ALWAYS 
PREFERRED FOR THIS OPERATION.
CLEANING ANDMAINTENANCESUGGESTIONS
The Model 1895 will function better and more reliably
over a longer period of time if it is properly maintained
and kept clean.
21
Move the elevator 
forward to shoot lower
FIGURE 19
Tap against the dove-
tailed sight base with a
nonmarring drift
FIGURE 20 
						

							BEFORE PERFORMING ANY CLEANING 
PROCEDURES, ALWAYS MAKE CERTAIN
THERE ARE NO CARTRIDGES IN THE CHAM-
BER, MAGAZINE OR ACTION/FEED AREAS.
You should clean your Model 1895 after every day of
shooting and more often if it becomes excessively dirty. 
A minimum cleaning includes wiping down the action
and oiling key parts. Most regular maintenance will also
include cleaning the barrel. If you encounter a function
problem (tight action when working the finger lever), be
sure to give your gun a thorough cleaning to see if it
solves the problem before seeking the services of our ser-
vice facility or a competent gunsmith.
To clean your firearm, follow the general outline below:
CLEANING PROCEDURESÑ
BE CERTAIN YOUR GUNÕS CHAMBER AND
MAGAZINE ARE UNLOADED. ALWAYS WEAR
PROTECTIVE SAFETY GLASSES DURING ALL 
CLEANING PROCEDURES. KEEP 
AMMUNITION AWAY FROM THE CLEANING
AREA. DO NOT TEST THE FUNCTION OF
YOUR FIREARM WITH LIVE AMMUNITION.ALWAYS PLACE THE SAFETY (MANUAL 
HAMMER STOP) IN THE ÒONÓ (SAFE) 
|POSITION BEFORE BEGINNING ANY 
CLEANING PROCEDURE.
1. Use a cleaning rod with a tip and patch suitable for
your rifleÕs bore. Make sure the patch is large enough for a
snug fit in the bore. 
Insert the rod and patch into the barrel at the muzzle end
and run it back and forth several times. 
USE A CROWN
PROTECTOR IF POSSIBLE.
Be careful not to strike
the crown of the muzzle with the handle end of the rod.
Damage to this area can affect the accuracy of the rifle.
2. Inspect the chamber and bore for brass, copper and
powder fouling. A normal amount of powder residue can
be expected and is not serious. It can usually be removed
by repeating step one, using a patch saturated with sol-
vent. If or when fouling should become heavy, it can be
removed with a brass bore brush. Dip or spray the brush
with solvent and scrub the chamber and bore until the
fouling is removed. To prevent brass bristles from break-
ing off, the brush should be pushed completely through
the bore before being withdrawn.
3. After fouling has been removed the bore should be
wiped dry. Then pass a slightly oiled patch through the
bore, for preservation. A fine, light gun oil is recommended.
22 
						

							4. Wipe all exposed metal surfaces of the receiver, forearm
and barrel with a clean rag. Finger marks should be
removed because they provide a place where moisture can
accumulate. Any dried oil in the receiver area should also
be removed. 
5. Then lightly oil your gun at the points described under
ÒOiling the ActionÓ explained earlier in this manual.
Ordinary good judgment will, of course, indicate that the
metal of the gun should receive a light film of oil any time
the rifle has been exposed to weather or handling.
Remember, the polished, finely fitted surfaces of the
receiver and action mechanisms must always have a thin
film of oil. Make sure that the surfaces of the breech
block, lever components and feed mechanism parts are
especially clean and lightly oiled with a high quality gun
oil. Do not use pure silicone or lanolin.
6. 
INSPECT THE BARREL AND CHAMBER.Make
certain that no patches have been inadvertently left in
them. Remove any that remain.
7. Wipe all wood surfaces.8. Store your Model 1895 in a quality protective case to
prevent scratches and dents. Store in a dry place to pre-
vent corrosion. Store away from children. Make sure your
gun is unloaded and always store ammunition separately.
OTHER CLEANING SUGGESTIONSÑ
¥ Never pour large quantities of oil into the receiver or
other parts. It can drain down to the wood and soften it
Ñ and cause permanent damage and loosening of the
stock.
¥ After extended periods of heavy use, your gun should be
taken to a qualified gunsmith to have the action disassem-
bled for professional cleaning and lubrication.
NEVER ATTEMPT TO TAKE YOUR MODEL
1895 APART FURTHER THAN EXPLAINED IN
THIS MANUAL. 
This is a specialized, finely fitted mechanism. You may
permanently mar it by attempting to disassemble the
inner mechanism assemblies. If further disassembly for 
service or cleaning is required, take your gun to a U. S.
Repeating Arms Company Authorized Repair Center or a
competent gunsmith as explained under ÒService or
Repair.Ó
23 
						

							ORDERINGPARTS
To order parts, please write our parts department and fur-
nish the following: your name, address, and telephone
number. Also specify the caliber, model, serial number
and grade of your Winchester Model 1895. When we
receive your request, we will send an order form and a
parts breakdown with prices.
Write to:
Firearms Service Center
U.S. Repeating Arms Company, Inc.
275 Winchester Avenue
New Haven, Connecticut 06511-1970
CAUTION: PARTS ARE MADE FOR
WINCHESTER BRAND GUNS MANUFACTURED
BY U.S. REPEATING ARMS COMPANY, INC.,
AND SHOULD NOT BE USED IN OTHER GUNS
EVEN THOUGH MODELS MAY BE SIMILAR.
IMPROPERLY FITTED PARTS MAY BE 
DANGEROUS.
SERVICE ORREPAIR
If your Winchester Model 1895 rifle should ever need
repair or service we suggest you utilize one of the world-
wide network of U.S. Repeating Arms Company
Authorized Repair Centers (ARCÕs) for Winchester
firearms. A special repair center for your Model 1895 also
provides the full scope of service for your rifle. Contact: 
ÒClassic TriditionsÓ Service Center
U.S. Repeating Arms Company, Inc.
3005 Arnold, Missouri 63010-9460
Phone: (203) 789-5000
When returning your firearm for servicing you must.
1. Make sure it is completely unloaded.
2. Package the firearm securely. Wrap the rifle in paper or
other protective packaging and place gun in the original
box, including a note of explanation. (The box supplied
with your rifle will protect the gun, but is not designed for
shipping.) Place inside a cardboard box approved for
strength in interstate shipping.
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							U.S. REPEATING ARMS COMPANY IS NOT
RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGE INCURRED
DURING SHIPPING.
3. Ensure that a letter is enclosed with your firearm
(attached to it in some way) describing the trouble 
experienced and the repairs or alterations desired. 
Include your complete address and both work and home
phone numbers. 
4. Remember, never return ammunition with your
firearm. It is against postal and most commerce 
regulations.
If you have any questions about how to obtain service for
your Winchester Model 1895 rifle, or if you have other
questions about Winchester rifles and shotguns, call or
write our Customer Service department:
Customer Service
U. S. Repeating Arms Company, Inc.
275 Winchester Avenue
Morgan, Utah 84050-9333
Phone: 1-800-945-5237
25 
						

							U.S. Repeating Arms Company, Inc.
275 Winchester Avenue
New Haven, Connecticut, U.S.A. 06511-1970
Administrative Offices:
275 Winchester Avenue, Morgan, Utah 84050-9333
Winchester trademarks licensed from Olin Corporation.