Winchester Model 1886

Gabriel Law · November 01, 2015, 07:38:18 PM

Can anyone give a report on Winchester's '86 rifle? I am seriously considering acquiring a brand new one, but would be interested if someone has some experience with this rifle.

rbertalotto · November 02, 2015, 06:49:29 AM

I have a take down in 45-70. I've changed out parts with the older Browning version to get rid of the tang safety, rebound hammer and lack of a half-cock. Amazingly accurate rifle. Lover 405g LEE bullets on top of just about any powder...Black or Smokeless. The workmanship on the japan made rifles is superb.

But that said, I'd do everything I could to find an older Browning version. They are out there and usually shot very little....and sometimes at a surprisingly good price.

Hope this helps

Gabriel Law · November 02, 2015, 10:53:01 AM

Thanks for the speedy reply. I have my eye on both makes currently.

dusty texian · November 02, 2015, 11:53:30 AM

Accurate they are! Well built , and strong ,. You bet! I bought one several yrs ago Winchester Legacy 1886 in 45/70 . Have loaded 405 gr. bullets and 3031 for the most part. It is not picky about bullet or powder. Has one of the slickest bores that I have seen . And will shoot better than I can hold. The only thing I have changed on mine is the stock finish. I removed the finish slimmed down the fore arm to about like an original looks , and gave it a oil finish. The blueing is very good ,almost black. I have thought about making the same changes that Roy did on the hammer in order to have a half cock. But I must admit , I have never had any problem with the rebounding hammer set-up. But for an old Winchester guy , it does feel a bit different. I think you would be very happy with the Winchester or the Browning . Both are fine rifles. If I was not so afflicted with the 76 Winchesters mine would get a bit more use. ,,,DT

Abilene · November 02, 2015, 01:37:11 PM

You didn't ask about the Chiappa '86, but those that I have seen are very nice looking, and no safety gizmos. They do have super stiff actions out of the box.

Daniel Dodge · November 02, 2015, 05:14:46 PM

I have four Chiappa Rifles that I'm very satisfied. The 1886 rifle if pretty smooth, the 1886 carbine is pretty stiff. The 1892 are both super smooth and fast like a 73.

Gabriel Law · November 02, 2015, 08:13:50 PM

Can you advise who sells the Chiappa? The Browning is the most expensive at around $2300, the Winchester second at about $1750. Our dollar is only worth 66 cents today, so add 35 % to that for me.

Abilene · November 02, 2015, 09:00:29 PM

Taylors carries them. Cimarron did but I don't see it listed now. I'm sure there are others.

rbertalotto · November 03, 2015, 04:34:34 AM

A few months ago CDNN was blowing them out for around $600 if I remember correctly

Abilene · November 03, 2015, 08:28:19 AM

Quote from: rbertalotto on November 03, 2015, 04:34:34 AM
A few months ago CDNN was blowing them out for around $600 if I remember correctly

?? Sorry, but I don't think so. Were you thinking of a Chaparral '76 ?

rbertalotto · November 03, 2015, 09:59:17 AM

Sorry...I got my "C"s mixed up!

Abilene · November 03, 2015, 12:15:46 PM

Quote from: rbertalotto on November 03, 2015, 09:59:17 AM
Sorry...I got my "C"s mixed up!

I was told that one of the reasons Armi- Sport changed to Chiappa was because people were confusing Armi-Sport with Armi-San-Marcos. But if people confuse Chiappa with Chaparral, that's not much better

Buck Stinson · November 03, 2015, 12:40:58 PM

I bought a standard Browning '86 carbine about a year after they were introduced. At the time, I had an original '86 carbine in .40-82 and another in .45-70. Both of the originals are very accurate, but the Browning beats them both. The stock and forend on the Browning were much beefier, so I stripped the finish, and reshaped the wood to size and finished it in the Winchester dark rusty red stain with oil finish. I'm a sucker for sling swivels on old Winchesters, so I also added a set with swivel loop in the butt stock and Winchester sling eye on the forend band. I love the gun.

Gabriel Law · November 03, 2015, 03:06:00 PM

Thanks everyone for your insights. Now I'm looking for a FFL dealer who can broker a deal for me, and get the rifle to Canada.

PJ Hardtack · November 03, 2015, 08:47:57 PM

Hey Gabe

You know what I think of my older '86 Browning. I had some 520 gr rds loaded with 36 grs Varget that would not chamber in my Shiloh '74. Too long to work through the action of the '86 so I single loaded them.

The Browning loved them! I think I posted the results elsewhere on the forum.

With another smokeless load (BP equivalent with my 420 gr bullets) I won a 'Hunting Rifle' off hand match shot at 50-100-150 yds. At 50 I put 5 rds into a group that required ONE peel off-stick on patch to cover.

That same load has taken the only two moose I've shot to date.

A CDN dealer/broker I can recommend is Clay at Prophet River. He has brought in rifles for me on two occasions. Look him up on google or Canadian GunNutz.

Gabriel Law · November 04, 2015, 03:57:19 PM

Thank you PJ! I am going to give Corlane's at Dawson Creek a call too.

GL

vietvet1968 · November 30, 2017, 12:45:06 AM

Quote from: Gabriel Law on November 01, 2015, 07:38:18 PM
Can anyone give a report on Winchester's '86 rifle? I am seriously considering acquiring a brand new one, but would be interested if someone has some experience with this rifle.

I have the browning 1886 rifle 26 inch barrel. I also load my own and I can tell you it is one strong action along with being smooth. It's like a precise well lubed machine. You won't go wrong with this model imop!