Winchester 1885: Single-Minded About .22s

Guns Magazine, Jan, 2000 by Clair Rees

When I hear the words, "single-shot .22," I always remember my grandfather's Model 60 Winchester. He loaned me the ancient rifle whenever I visited his ranch. It was half worn-out and had to be manually cocked before every shot. I loved wandering through the sagebrush with the little rifle and a pocketful of .22 Short ammunition. Heady stuff for a 6-year-old who loved to shoot.

Winchester's latest rimfire single-shot is a far cry from my grandfather's budget-priced workhorse. The new, limited edition Model 1885 .22 is a top-quality rifle with an illustrious history.

Designed in 1878, the falling-block rifle was John M. Browning's first invention. It was also the first rifle Winchester Repeating Arms purchased from Browning, setting the stage for a long-term relationship that produced many historic rifle and shotgun designs. Winchester began manufacturing the rifle in 1885.

Originally designed for centerfire cartridges, the rifle was first chambered for .22 rimfires in 1886. Production of the Model 1885 Winchester was discontinued in 1920, but this great, old rifle has been back in the Browning lineup for the past several years. I've used both High-Wall and Low-Wall versions in several different chamberings, and have always been impressed with their appearance and performance. The Model 1885 is a class act.

Now Winchester is offering the Model 1885 in a limited-edition rimfire version. Two different grades are available. The Grade 1 Sporter features a half-round, half-octagon 24 1/2" barrel with a tight target chamber for maximum accuracy. An extractor pulls empty cases part way from the chamber, where they can be removed with your fingers.

The classic scalloped Low Wall receiver is drilled and tapped for scope mounting (use Model 1885 High Wall bases). It's also drilled and tapped to accept a tang-mounted aperture sight. This sight is supplied with High-Grade rifles, but must be purchased separately for Grade 1 models. The Grade 1 sports a traditional leaf rear-bead front sight combination.

The two-piece walnut stock sports a Schnabel forend and a curved steel buttplate. Overall length is 41" and the rifle weighs an even 8 lbs.

High Grade Model 1885 .22s wear semi-fancy walnut stocks with cut checkering. The engraved receiver features a pair of golden squirrels on one side, and a trio of cottontail rabbits on the other. These game scenes are bordered in gold.

While fast-firing autoloaders now enjoy huge popularity, the Model 1885 falling block challenges small game hunters to get the job done with only a single round. What's more, the new Winchester .22 has both nostalgic and collector appeal. While many consider single shot .22s strictly for beginners, the manly heft (and price) of the new Winchester makes it more suitable for those adults who appreciate fine rifles.

No more than 1,100 Model 1885 High-Grade .22s will be produced and will retail for $1,189. Production of the $749 Grade 1 rifles will be limited to 2,400.