Winchester Repeating Arms 1873 User Manual

Important InstructIons for

Model 1873

Lever-actIon rIfLes

This owner’s manual is for Winchester®
Model 1873 lever-action rifles only. Supplemental
instructions for special edition Model 1873 rifles
must be used in conjunction with the instructions
found in this owner’s manual. If your supplemental
instructions are missing, contact us immediately
for a free copy or download one online at:
winchesterguns.com.

Winchester Repeating Arms

275 Winchester Avenue

Morgan, UT 84050-9333

[phone]

winchesterguns.com

Winchester is a registered trademark of Olin Corporation.

Important instructions for the

Winchester® Model 1873
Lever-Action Rifle

Winchester Repeating Arms

Customer Service Department (United States)
275 Winchester Avenue
Morgan, Utah 84050-9333
Phone: [phone]

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.

Serial Number ____________________________________

Caliber __________________________________________

Grade ___________________________________________

Purchase Price ____________________________________

Purchased From ___________________________________

Date of Purchase __________________________________

Content Page

State Warning ................................................................2

WARNING: You Are Responsible for Firearm Safety

General Description and Operation

Nomenclature

Serial Number

Initial Cleaning and Oiling

Operation of the Hammer ...........................................15

Trigger Stop

Dust Cover....................................................................19

Lever Lock ....................................................................19

Ammunition

Loading

Firing

.......................................................................................23

Unloading

Sight Adjustment

Cleaning and Maintenance Suggestions

Parts, Service, Repair and Technical Questions

Website Information

If there were ever a rifle that deserved to be labeled
“The Gun that Won the West,” it’s the Winchester
Model 1873. The Model 1873 was immensely popular
among cowboys, lawmen, settlers and frontiersmen
during the westward expansion of the United States in
the late 1800s. Compared to other rifles of the day, it
was quicker to load, easier to shoot, lighter weight and
more convenient because it was chambered in the
same calibers as the sidearms those adventurers carried.

In the following century, though the West had been
tamed, the Model 1873 and its legend continued to
grow on the big screen in the hands of some of the
most famous western movie actors of the day.

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®

AO1302/12403

1

State Warning

According to state law, California requires that
firearm manufacturers, distributors and retailers
include conspicuous, specific warnings with firearms
sold in that state.

Warning: You are reSPonSible
For Firearm SaFetY

Failure to Follow any oF the Following
warnings could result in serious injury
or death.

As a firearm owner, you accept a set of demanding
responsibilities. How seriously you take these
responsibilities can be the difference between life
and death.

There is no excuse for careless or abusive handling of
any firearm. At all times handle this firearm and all
other firearms with intense respect for their power and
potential danger.

Please read and understand all of the cautions,
warnings, notices, proper handling procedures and
instructions outlined in this owner’s manual before
using your new firearm.

1 always KeeP the MuZZle oF your FirearM

Pointed in a saFe direction even though
you are certain it is unloaded.

Never point any firearm at anything you do not
intend to shoot. Be extremely alert and aware of
all persons and property within the range of
your ammunition.

2 never rely totally on your FirearM’s

Mechanical “saFety” device. liKe any
Mechanical device, a “saFety” can
soMetiMes Fail; it can be jarred or
inadvertently ManiPulated into an
unsaFe condition.

The word “safety” describes a firearm’s trigger
block mechanism, sear block mechanism, hammer
block mechanism or firing pin block mechanism.
Mechanical “safeties” are designed to place your
firearm in a safer status, and no guarantee can be
made that the firearm will not fire even if the
“safety” is in the on safe position. Mechanical
“safeties” merely aid safe gun handling and are no
excuse for pointing your firearm’s muzzle in an
unsafe direction. See “Operation of the Hammer”
on page 15 for instructions on the operation of
this firearm’s hammer.

Remember, safe gun handling does not stop with

your firearm’s mechanical “safety” devices, it starts
there. Always treat this firearm with the respect
due a loaded, ready-to-fire firearm.

Some firearms do not have a mechanical “safety.”

Many target firearms, lever-action firearms and
pistols do not have manual “safety” mechanisms.
Therefore it is critical to read and understand the
owner’s manual for every firearm which explains
the safe operation of the firearm.

While it is a good idea to test your firearm’s

mechanical “safety” periodically for proper
function, never test the “safety” while your firearm
is loaded or pointed in an unsafe direction.

2

3

3 whenever you handle any FirearM, or hand

it to soMeone, always oPen the action
iMMediately and visually checK the
FirearM’s chaMber to MaKe certain that
the FirearM is coMPletely unloaded.

Make certain the firearm does not inadvertently
contain any ammunition. Remember, merely
removing the magazine does not mean the chamber
is unloaded. Always keep the chamber empty and
the “safety” in the on safe position unless shooting
is imminent.

4 always wear ear and eye Protection

when shooting.

Unprotected, repeated exposure to gunfire can
cause hearing damage. Wear hearing protection
(shooting ear plugs or muffs) to guard against
such damage.

Wear shooting glasses to protect your eyes from

flying particles. Allow proper distance (eye relief)
between a scope and your eye when firing a scoped
pistol, rifle or shotgun. Do not use unorthodox
shooting methods that could cause the rearward
travel of the slide or bolt of a firearm to contact
your eyes, face or hands. Always keep a safe
distance between the muzzle of your firearm and
any persons nearby, as muzzle blast, debris and
ejecting cartridges could inflict serious injury.

Always wear eye protection when disassembling

and cleaning any firearm to prevent the possibility
of springs, spring-tensioned parts, solvents or other
agents from contacting your eyes.

5 KeeP all FirearMs unloaded during

transPort, even when stored in a holster,
gun case, scabbard or other container.

6 droPPing or jarring a loaded FirearM can

cause accidental discharge.

This can occur even with the “safety” in the
on safe position. Be extremely careful while
hunting or during any shooting activity to avoid
dropping any firearm.

7 hunting FroM elevated surFaces such as

treestands is dangerous.

Doing so may increase the risk of mishandling a
firearm. The following rules should always be
observed by you and those you hunt with. Always
make certain that the stand being used is safe and
stable. Always make certain that your firearm is
unloaded when it is being taken up and down
from the stand. Always make certain that your
firearm is not dropped from the stand, or dropped
while it is being taken up or down from the stand.
Remember, a loaded firearm may discharge
when dropped, even with the “safety” in the
on safe position.

8 store your FirearM and aMMunition

seParately, well beyond the reach
oF children.

Take prudent safeguards to ensure your firearm
does not become available to untrained,
inexperienced or unwelcome hands. Store all
firearms in secure, locked cases or a gun safe.
Keep your firearm unloaded when not in use.

9 beware oF barrel obstructions.

Mud, snow and an infinite variety of other objects
may inadvertently lodge in a barrel bore. It only
takes a small obstruction to cause dangerously
increased pressures that can damage your firearm
and cause serious injury to yourself and others.

beFore checKing For a barrel

obstruction, be certain your FirearM is
coMPletely unloaded, there is not a live
cartridge in the chaMber and the
“saFety” is in the on saFe Position.

After assuring yourself that the firearm is

completely unloaded, open the breech or action
and look through the barrel to be sure it is clear of
obstructions. If an obstruction is seen, no matter
how small it may be, clean the bore with a
cleaning rod and patch as described on pages
28-30 of this owner’s manual.

4 5

10 be alert to the signs oF aMMunition

MalFunction. iF you detect an oFF sound
or light recoil when a cartridge is Fired,
do not load another cartridge into the
chaMber.

If your firearm fails to fire, keep the muzzle
pointed in a safe direction for a minimum of 30
seconds. Carefully rotate the top of the firearm
away from you, open the action and remove the
cartridge from the chamber. If the primer is
indented, the defective cartridge should be
disposed of in a way that cannot cause harm. If
the primer is not indented, your firearm should
be examined by a qualified gunsmith and the
cause of the malfunction corrected before further
use. Glance down the barrel to make sure that no
obstructions remain in the barrel. Completely
clear the barrel before loading and firing again.
Failure to follow these instructions can cause
extensive damage to your firearm and possible
serious injury to yourself and others.

11 never insert a cartridge oF the incorrect

caliber into any FirearM.

The caliber of your firearm is marked on the
barrel. Store all cartridges of different calibers in
completely separate and well-marked containers.
Never store cartridges of mixed calibers in a
common container or in your pockets. See page 20
for more information on the correct ammunition
for your firearm.

12 exaMine every cartridge you Put in

your FirearM.

We assume no responsibility for the use of unsafe
or improper firearm and ammunition
combinations or damage or injury caused by
damaged ammunition. It is your responsibility
to read and heed all warnings in this owner’s
manual and on ammunition boxes. See page 20
for more information on the correct ammunition
for your firearm.

13 use only saaMi aPProved aMMunition.

The barrel and action of this firearm have been
made with substantial safety margins beyond the
pressures developed by established American
commercial loads. Nevertheless, we can assume no
liability for incidents which occur through the use
of cartridges of nonstandard dimensions or which
develop pressures in excess of commercially
available ammunition which has been loaded in
accordance with standards established by the
Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’
Institute (SAAMI).

14 MaKe sure oF adequate ventilation

in the area that you discharge a FirearM.
lead exPosure can occur FroM
discharging FirearMs in Poorly
ventilated areas, cleaning FirearMs
or handling aMMunition.

Lead is a substance that has been known to cause
birth defects, reproductive harm and other serious
injury. Wash hands thoroughly after exposure to
ammunition or after cleaning a firearm.

15 do not snaP the Firing Pin on an eMPty

chaMber; the chaMber May not be eMPty!

Treat every firearm with the respect due a loaded
firearm, even though you are certain the firearm
is unloaded.

16 KeeP your Fingers away FroM the trigger

while loading and unloading until
shooting is iMMinent.

17 be sure oF your target and bacKstoP,

Particularly during low light Periods.

Know the range of your ammunition. Never shoot
at water or hard objects.

18 always unload your FirearM’s chaMber

beFore crossing a Fence, cliMbing a
tree, juMPing a ditch or negotiating
other obstacles.

Never place your firearm on or against a fence,
tree, car or other similar object.

6 7

19 be deFensive and on guard against unsaFe

gun handling around you and others.

Don’t be timid when it comes to firearm safety.
If you observe other shooters violating any of
these safety precautions, politely suggest safer
handling practices.

20 be certain your FirearM is unloaded

beFore cleaning.

Because so many firearm accidents occur when a
firearm is being cleaned, special and extreme care
should be taken to be sure your firearm is unloaded
before disassembly, cleaning and reassembly.

Keep ammunition away from the cleaning

location. Never test the mechanical function
of any firearm with live ammunition.

21 teach and suPervise FirearMs saFety to

all MeMbers oF your FaMily, esPecially
to children and non-shooters.

Closely supervise newcomers to the shooting
sports. Encourage enrollment in hunting and
shooting safety courses.

22 never drinK alcoholic beverages or

taKe any tyPe oF drugs beFore or
during shooting.

Your vision, motor skills and judgment could be
dangerously impaired, making your gun handling
unsafe to you and to others.

23 read and heed all warnings in this

owner’s Manual, on aMMunition boxes
and with all accessories that you install
on your FirearM.

It is your responsibility to secure the most up-to­date information on the safe handling procedures
of your Winchester firearm. We assume no liability
for incidents which occur when unsafe or improper
firearm accessories or ammunition combinations
are used.

24 Practice Periodic Maintenance, avoid

unauthoriZed servicing.

Your firearm is a mechanical device which
will not last forever, and as such, is subject
to wear and requires periodic inspection,
adjustment and service. Winchester firearms
should be serviced by a Winchester Repeating
Arms Authorized Service Center or by our
Service Facility in Arnold, Missouri. We assume
no responsibility for injuries suffered or caused
by unauthorized servicing, alterations or
modifications of Winchester firearms.

25 we reserve the right to reFuse service on

FirearMs that have been altered, added to
or substantially changed.

Removal of metal from the barrel, or modifications
of the firing mechanism and/or operating parts,
may lead to a refusal of service on such firearms.
We will charge you for parts and labor to return
the firearm to original specifications.

do not, under any circuMstances, alter

the trigger, “saFety” or other Parts oF
the Firing MechanisM oF this or any other
FirearM. Failure to obey this warning May
result in injury or death to yourselF
or others.

be careFul!

general DeSCriPtion anD oPeration

Your Model 1873 rifle is a modern version of the rifle
that was a favorite of hunters, ranchers and lawmen at
the height of the westward expansion of the United
States. They favored the Model 1873 because it was
affordable, easy to load and shoot, and could be
chambered in the same caliber as their sidearm.
With a few minor exceptions, the action is virtually
identical to the way the originals were made in 1873.

Cycling the lever smoothly moves a cartridge from the
tubular magazine to the chamber. After firing, working
the lever ejects the empty cartridge. Returning the

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(Continued on page 12)