Winchester Repeating Arms 1873 User Manual

Page 3

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According to state law, California requires that

firearm manufacturers, distributors and retailers

include conspicuous, specific warnings with firearms

sold in that state.

Warning: Y

eSPonSible

irearm

aFetY

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.