Winchester Repeating Arms 1885 Rimfire - Manual (Page 9)

P LACING THE HAMMER ON HALF COCK —
After loading the rifle, when shooting is not imminent,
the correct position of the hammer is at half cock, as
pictured in Figure 5 (see “Operation of Hammer” section
for correct procedure). When the hammer is in the half
cock position, you need only thumb the hammer back to
the full cock position to prepare the rifle for firing.
U NLOADING —
After firing, or in order to remove a cartridge, swing
the lever down crisply. As the lever swings forward,
the breech block and the hammer move down in the
receiver. At the end of the lever cycle, the cartridge
is ejected.
S HELL D EFLECTOR
The ejector on newer Low Wall 1885 models ejects
the fired cartridge clear of the chamber at the end of
the lever cycle. As a shell is ejected, it will strike the
shell deflector which is at the back of the receiver,
behind the hammer. The angle of deflection is
adjustable using a screwdriver. Rotate the deflector
to one of the click-stop positions. The deflector may
be set in a diagonal position to the left or right,
deflecting the shell to the left or right respectively,
and clearing the stock (Figure 10). To avoid ejecting
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G ENERAL O PERATING P ROCEDURES
With a cartridge in the chamber, and the hammer at
full cock, the rifle will fire a single round when the
trigger is squeezed. The lever is then rotated
downward, ejecting the fired cartridge. An unfired
cartridge may now be placed in the chamber. The
hammer remains in the full cock position as the lever
is closed, readying the rifle for firing another round.
L OADING —
To load your Model 1885, swing the lever down and
fully forward to lower the breech block (Figure 8).
Manually insert a cartridge into the chamber (Figure
9). The cartridge should be inserted fully into the
chamber to prevent interference with the breech
block as it is closed. The top front surface of the
breech block is channeled to help load a cartridge
protruding slightly from the chamber, but it is best to
develop a habit of pushing the cartridge all the way
into the chamber. Now close the lever. This locks
the action and leaves the hammer in the full cock,
ready-to-fire position.
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F I G U R E 8
Work the finger lever
downward and forward crisply
to open the breech block
F I G U R E 9
Insert a cartridge
into the chamber
Be sure to push the
cartridge all the way
in