Winchester Repeating Arms 63 (Historic Manual) - Manual (Page 3)

G UN S AFETY W ARNINGS
IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THESE OPERAT-
ING INSTRUCTIONS BE THOROUGHLY
STUDIED BEFORE USING THIS FIREARM
TO ASSURE PROPER AND SAFE GUN
HANDLING. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE
INSTRUCTIONS OR FAILURE TO OBEY
ANY SAFETY WARNING MAY RESULT IN
INJURY TO YOURSELF OR OTHERS, OR
CAUSE DAMAGE TO YOUR GUN.
As a gun 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 your
rifle and any other firearm with intense respect for
its power and potential danger.
PLEASE READ AND UNDERSTAND ALL
OF THE CAUTIONS, PROPER HANDLING
PROCEDURES AND INSTRUCTIONS OUT-
LINED IN THIS BOOKLET BEFORE USING
YOUR NEW FIREARM.
1. Do not carry a loaded gun with a live round in the
chamber while walking, running, climbing a tree,
crossing a fence or anywhere you might slip or fall,
drop the gun or otherwise bump or jar the gun. A
gun that is dropped, bumped, or jarred with a cham-
bered round might accidentally discharge even with
the safety on, causing serious injury to you or some-
one else. When a round is chambered keep the safe-
ty on until you are ready to shoot.
2. Do not rely on the safety to prevent accidental
discharge. Many safeties merely block the trigger
and prevent firing by pulling the trigger. The safety
may not prevent an accidental discharge due to
M ODEL 63 S EMIAUTOMATIC RIFLE
In 1933 Winchester introduced the Model 63 rifle.
It was an improved variation on the Model 1903
which had been made only for an old style
Winchester 22 cartridge called the “22 Winchester
Automatic Rimfire Smokeless.” The Model 1903
was the first Winchester semiautomatic firearm of
any type.
The new Model 63 soon proved a success. It incor-
porated the more modern 22 caliber Long Rifle car-
tridge. It was like the 1903 in many ways — but
with slight improvements in some areas. It was a
quick handling, easy-to-use design with traditional
craftsmanship and elegant design. Its blow-back
semi-auto action proved highly reliable. Its stock-
positioned loading port convenient. The quick take-
down system was handy. And its forearm-mounted
cocking system (called the operating sleeve) has
always been regarded as extremely functional.
Despite the differences between the ’03 and the 63,
the design of the 63 can still be attributed to the
great Winchester designer, Thomas Crossley
Johnson.
The last of the original 63s was produced over 35
years ago. Your new Model 63 is faithful in nearly
every way — with a level of beautiful finish and fine
engraving that you would usually associate only with
Winchesters of the "Highly Finished Rifles" era at
the turn of the century.
Study all of the instructions in this manual carefully
to be sure you have covered all information about
your Model 63.
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