RIFLES
Winchester 1886 Extra Light .45-70
Some hunting rifles are just too good to become obsolete. A classic example is the Winchester 1886 Extra Lightweight rifle.
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Some hunting rifles are just too good to become obsolete. A classic example is the Winchester 1886 Extra Lightweight rifle. It was originally produced from 1897 until 1935 and has been resurrected as the Winchester Model 1886 Extra Light.
The inspiration for the new Winchester Model 1886 Extra Light was the original Model 1886, created by gunsmithing genius John Moses Browning. Unlike the weak toggle-link actions of preceding Winchesters, the '86 incorporated two solid steel locking lugs that slid up on either side of the bolt when the lever was closed, thus making a rock-solid arrangement for the longer-cased big-bore cartridges that were gaining in popularity, specifically the .45-70 Government. An added benefit of Browning's design was the action—smooth as warm butter and faster to cycle than any other Winchester before it. The 86's admirers included such illuminaries as Admiral Perry (who took one to the South Pole), William Chandler (who took one to Africa), and Theodore Roosevelt (who took one everywhere).
The only drawback to the slick and hefty Winchester 1886 is its weight. With its 26-inch barrel and nine-round capacity, the Model 86 rifle tipped the scales at 9 1/2 pounds and the 22-inch barreled carbine didn't do much better, weighing in at eight pounds, unloaded. After a decade of jam-free, bone-crushing success in the big-game fields, Winchester decided to update the famous '86 in order to maintain its popularity into the 20th century. That's when the 1886 Extra Lightweight was conceived.
Basically, the Winchester '86 Lightweight was a sporterized version of the Model 1886, and incorporated some features that were previously factory custom options. As chambered in the ever-popular .45-70 caliber, the straight-gripped Lightweight sported a rapid-taper 22-inch barrel and a half-magazine capable of holding four rounds. With its slimmer shape, the Lightweight weighed in at a more manageable 7 1/4 pounds. The Winchester Lightweight became the coveted choice of serious hunters who wanted a hard-hitting lever-action that could slam-dunk any North American big-game animal and wouldn't jam. But as popular as it was among outdoorsmen, Winchester's '86 Lightweight was a costly gun to produce, and was eventually discontinued in the midst of the Great Depression.
Now, U.S. Repeating Arms, under license from Winchester, has brought the Model 1886 Lightweight back. This time they're calling it the Model 1886 Extra Light, but it is a heavy duty-hunting arm all the way.
The Model '86 Extra Light comes in two versions: Grade 1 is a working gun, with smooth, plainly-grained walnut stocks and a deep, richly blued receiver. Only 3,500 Grade 1s will be made, with a suggested retail price of $1,152. For the hunter and collector who wants a bit more, there will be an additional 1,000 High Grades, featuring a nicely-figured checkered walnut stock and fore-end and a blued receiver highlighted with Victorian-styled engraving and a gold inlaid elk and deer. Suggested retail is $1,440.
In outward appearance and handling characteristics, the Winchester '86 Extra Light is every bit the rifle as the original 1886 Extra Lightweight. I should know; I've hunted with an original 1886 Extra Lightweight for many years. The new USRAC '86 Extra Light exhibits the same heft and balance, and the identical slimmed-down fore-end and taper of the barrel makes snap-shooting and aiming almost as effortless as pointing. The action is just as slick; rapidly cycling the lever to chamber a round produces a smooth, reassuring "clickety-clack," like a railroad pullman gliding over smooth steel rails. Even with my Rooseveltian-poor eyesight, the deep-cut semi-buckhorn and beaded post open sights line up quickly. As for accuracy, the new '86 Extra Light outperforms my original. For one thing, thanks to 21st century technology, the metalurgy is much better and the barrel's 1:22-inch rate of twist aids accuracy with today's ammo.
