What became of the 1895?

[Dan Cash]

I will kick this off by opening a discussion of the rise and demise of the 1895 Winchester. It is probably my favorite lever gun though only one specimen keeps company here. This old friend was born in 1900 and has had a full and useful life. Like lots of old folks, it is now in the white and shows the dents and wrinkles of years of activity. It got a new lease on life when John Taylor of Puyallup, WA sleeved the rotten bore back to original .30-40. It now resides on the dash of my pick up and is ready for any work. As soon as I crack thecode, I will post a picture.

One always hears that the 1895 was too costly to make so it was dropped from production though it seems a simpler design than the 1894. The whole family of 1895s seem to have dropped of the face of the earth. What a shame as they are a great rifle.

[Don McDowell]

Dan next to my 1874 sharps rifles, the 95 Winchester in 405 is my favorite.

[Old Jim]

Dan next to my 1874 sharps rifles, the 95 Winchester in 405 is my favorite.

I remember a few years back when I ran into this cowboy from Wyoming at the Q and he was scatterin' them .405 1895 bullets everywhere. He was ahavin' fun, though .

Jim

[Don McDowell]

Yessir that was a learning curve on a 7% grade in that wind with those scrawny lil bullets...

[Dan Cash]

Dan next to my 1874 sharps rifles, the 95 Winchester in 405 is my favorite.

I remember a few years back when I ran into this cowboy from Wyoming at the Q and he was scatterin' them .405 1895 bullets everywhere. He was ahavin' fun, though .

Jim

I bet his shoulder was a gift that kept on giving for a few days. My .30 has plenty of authority on both ends. There are some jobs that are better handled by a big falling/rolling block single shot.

[Don McDowell]

Dan I put a limbsaver recoil pad on the thing about a box of shells after I got it. I needed the extra length of pull, and it sure stopped that mild concussion feeling after about 10 rounds.

[.22-5-40]

Hello, Dan Cash..I too have a soft spot for the old 95' Winchester..though never owned one..yet! There is however another less well known 95' Winchester..the Winchester-Lee 1895 .236 Navy (6mm) straight-pull. I had always wanted a military model..then later, as my taste in firearms changed..a sporter..I never could find one with a decent bore..those early hot burning smokeless powders were tough on small bores. Then I found a nice one..dealer said he would discount on account of lands looked worn..kind of rounded. pics showed checkered stock & nice figure. While waiting, I picked up book on early Win. bolt actions. Book said checkered stocks were special order item. When rifle arrived, I tried to find serial #..the checkered stock listing didn't have it..must have been done after left factory..then I found paragraph..of those models with checkered stocks..three were stocked in fancy English walnut..the first listed was mine! It turns out the "rounded" lands are Metford rifling!

[Mike Brooks]

I have always wanted one. On my wish list.

[Dan Cash]

I have always wanted one. On my wish list.

Though I have one 95 and don't "need" any more rifles of any kind, I surely covet one in 7.62 Russian with the clip guides and a .303 model. I suppose an -06 and .405 would be fun too. It is, after all, a Bill of Rights and not a Bill of Needs.

[Mike Brooks]

I have always wanted one. On my wish list.

Though I have one 95 and don't "need" any more rifles of any kind, I surely covet one in 7.62 Russian with the clip guides and a .303 model. I suppose an -06 and .405 would be fun too. It is, after all, a Bill of Rights and not a Bill of Needs.

I have handled both of those calibers and would be happy with either. Reloading would be easy too.