Winchester Repeating Arms SX-AR User Manual

™

Winchester® SX-AR™ Autoloading Rifle Owner’s Manual

Important instructions for the

Winchester® SX-AR™
Autoloading 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.

Model ________________________________________

Serial Number _________________________________

Purchased From ________________________________

Date of Purchase _______________________________

Winchester is a registered trademark of Olin Corporation.

NEU09081/09056

Contents Page

You are Responsible for Firearms Safety ..............1

General Description and Operation .................6

Nomenclature ..................................7

Serial Number ..................................7

Initial Cleaning and Oiling ........................7

Operation of the “Safety” .........................7

Bolt Lock .....................................10

Ammunition ..................................11

Magazine Capacity..............................11

Loading ......................................12

Firing ........................................14

Unloading ....................................15

Mounting Optics ...............................16

Stock Adjustment ..............................16

Cleaning and Maintenance Suggestions .............21

Cleaning the Trigger Group.......................22

Magazine Maintenance ..........................24

Parts, Service, Repair and Questions................25

Website Information ............................26

Yo u Are re s po ns i bl e For

i re A rms sA Fet Y

F

FAILURE TO FOLLOW AN Y 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 “Safety” on page 7 for instructions on the
operation of this firearm’s “safety.”

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.

1

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.

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. 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 RE ACH
OF CHILDREN.

2

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 CHA MBER 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 page 21 of this owner’s manual.

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 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 11 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 11 for more information on the correct
ammunition for your firearm.

3

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 ARE AS,
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 SNA P 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, J UMPING A DITCH OR NEGOTIATING
OTHER OBSTACLES.

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

19 BE DEFENSIVE A ND ON GUARD AGAINST U NSAFE

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 FIRE ARM 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.

4

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-to-date
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 Repair
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. FA ILURE TO OBEY THIS WARNING MAY
RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH TO YOURSELF
OR OTHERS.

BE CAREFUL!

5

FIGURE 1

Buttstock

MIL-STD 1913-Pattern Rails

Comb

Receiver

Bolt

Bolt Handle

Barrel

Recoil Pad

“Safety”

Pistol Grip

Trigger

Trigger Guard

Magazine

Magazine Release

Ge n er A l De s cr ipt ion A n D ope r At io n

De sc r ip ti o n

The Winchester® SX-AR is a gas-operated, semi-automatic
repeating rifle. The origins of the SX-AR can be traced
back to John M. Browning’s BAR, a rifle that served with
distinction through both World Wars, the Korean War and
other conflicts. The ergonomically-designed pistol grip
stock features comfortable dimensions to accommodate
most shooting styles.

op e rAt i o n

When the trigger is pulled, the firing pin strikes the primer
of the cartridge, resulting in the rifle firing. Gas from the
fired cartridge travels down the barrel and some is diverted

Forearm

Muzzle

MIL-STD 1913-Pattern Rail

Bolt Lock

into the gas piston which then sends the inertia block
rearward to operate the bolt. During the rearward
movement of the bolt, the empty cartridge case is ejected
out of the ejection port. If there is a cartridge in the
magazine, the bolt then returns forward by the force of the
recoil spring, picks up a cartridge from the magazine and
loads it into the chamber, ready to be fired. If there is not a
cartridge in the magazine during this movement, the bolt
lock engages and the bolt remains open.

With cartridges in the magazine and chamber, and the
“safety” in the off safe position, the rifle will fire a single
round with each successive pull of the trigger until the
magazine and chamber are empty. When the last round has
been fired, the bolt will lock in the rearmost, open
position. This allows fast, convenient reloading.

6

no m e nc l At u r e

In conventional firearm terminology the position and
movement of firearm parts are described as they occur
with the firearm horizontal and in the normal firing
position: i.e., the muzzle is forward or in front; the
buttstock is rearward or to the rear; the trigger is
downward or underneath; the rib is upward or on
top. For general parts nomenclature, refer to Figure 1
on page 6. Figure 2, on pages 8-9, covers the general
features and benefits of the SX-AR design. Throughout
this owner’s manual the “action” refers to the mechanism
of this rifle which loads and secures the cartridges in
the chamber.

Various exposed metal parts of this rifle have been coated
at the factory with a rust preventative compound. Before
using the rifle, clean the anti-rust compound from the
inside of the barrel, receiver, bolt and the action/chamber
areas with a high-quality, lightweight gun oil as explained
on page 21.

If your rifle is to be stored, it is acceptable to leave the rust
preventative compound on the rifle and keep it in its
original packaging. Never fire the rifle upon purchase
without cleaning it first. If the rifle contains hardened
grease or other substances that you cannot remove, have

the rifle checked by your dealer or a qualified gunsmith.

op e rAti o n o F th e “sA Fet Y ”

se r iA l num ber

The serial number is located on the left side of the
receiver, just above the trigger. Record the serial number
at the front of this owner’s manual for future reference.

in i ti A l cl e A n in G A n D oilinG

WEAR EYE PROTECTION WHEN ASSEMBLING AND
DISASSEMBLING YOUR RIFLE TO PREVENT SPRINGS,
SPRING-LOADED PARTS, SOLVENTS OR OTHER AGENTS
FROM CONTACTING YOUR EYES, RESULTING IN INJURY.

ALWAYS KEEP THE “SAFETY” IN THE ON SAFE POSITION
UNLESS SHOOTING IS IMMINENT. ALWAYS KEEP THE
MUZ ZLE POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION. FAILURE TO
FOLLOW THESE WARNINGS COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS
INJURY OR DE ATH.

The SX-AR rifle utilizes a “safety” located on the trigger
guard just rearward of the trigger. (Figure 3, page 10). This
location is easily manipulated with the index finger of
either hand. With the “safety” pushed completely to the
right, the rifle is in the “on safe” position, and rearward
movement of the trigger is completely blocked.

7

(Continued on page 10.)

FIGURE 2

sX-Ar™ ri Fl e Fe At ur e s

Three combs in different heights easily adjust
eye-to-optics alignment. The soft material adds
comfort when shooting.

Three recoil pads in different thicknesses
easily adjust length of pull and soften
felt recoil.

The one-piece, aircraft-grade
alloy receiver is lightweight,
yet incredibly strong.

The “safety” is easy to locate and operate,
even with gloved fingers. It is also easily
reversed for left-hand shooters by a
qualified gunsmith.

8

Strong, precise multiple lug bolt lock-up makes the
SX-AR capable of outstanding accuracy.

The trigger group is easily
removed for cleaning and
maintenance.

The 10-round detachable
magazine makes loading fast
and easy. A 20-round magazine
is available as an accessory.