Winchester Model 77 .22 Rifle

lonejacklarry

lonejacklarry

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Yes, I realize this is a S&W forum but the expertise available here is too good to pass up! (How am I doing?)

I bought a used Winchester 77 recently. The seller advertised the rifle as original. When it arrived, I noticed a notch on the stock on the opposite side of the sliding safety. I don't remember such a notch from the first time a bought a 77 in about 1964. Additionally, all the pictures I've located through various sources have no such notch.

The interesting point is that the serial number is 1676 which makes it a very early gun. It could simply be a variant for a really early model or it could be a non-standard stock.

Any help would be appreciated! Thanks.
 
Did the Winchester 77 come factory drilled on the opposite side from the safety for a Lyman receiver sight? If this is the case it may have had the stock notched to accommodate a receiver sight. I have owned 3 model 77's both tubular and magazine fed, have never seen a factory notch in wood opposite safety. I liked mine but had to keep them very clean to insure reliable function.
 
LoneJackLarry, a picture as they say is worth a thousand words. I have two of them, tube and clip. The stock is relieved on the charging handle side of the stock but not familiar with any notch. I bought one for my grandson that was unusual in that the front of the stock was widened as if for a target gun and the serial number had an "X" after the ser. #. To be honest I think they probably made changes as they went and tried to gauge acceptance by the shooting public. A picture of your stock would help us try to determine what you have. I must confess to a certain affinity for that model and they still reasonably priced even in like new condition. An overlooked and underappreciated model.
 
Last one we sold for a lady at the OGCA and was a low 5 digit gun, had a "notch' (cutout for the receiver type peep sight)
hard to tell if Winchester did the work or if it was "aftermarket" he (the owner) is LONG gone and cannot tell us................
 
After reading your post, I had to open the vault and check.
Here's my model 77, tube feed, serial number 9251X which would be 1955-56. The x at the end of a Winchester serial number denotes that the gun was used for a sample or test gun.
As you can see, mine does not have the notch, but does have a grooved reciever. Not sure if that makes a difference.
 

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One doesn't see much on the M-77. My father left me one, which I seldom shoot. It does jam a lot. I think it needs a deep cleaning, and they aren't easy to get apart. It does point well, although the open sights are hard to see well. I don''t want to 'scope it, as it's mainly an heirloom.

I don't see any notches on mine.

T-Star
 
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Winchester M-77s do have a reputation for jamming, in the case of my clip loader, several deep cleanings did nothing, very gently adjusting the feed lips of the magazine did.
 
I don't have close-up capability (or many others, for that matter) but here is a picture of the "notch". It does look home made and there are two very small screws in the receiver directly above the cut away area.

Thanks!
 

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Looked at the picture and I don't believe that the notch/cutout is factory. It appears the removal of wood has left an area that is open to the receiver for dirt, dust, grime and other material to enter the gun. The screw holes may be factory for a receiver sight and I believe I have seen receiver sights mentioned for this gun. As to jamming, I suppose that some would say it is a jamamatic, but if you look at the design and the close tolerances, there really isn't much of any place that powder residue, fouling, etc, can escape to, so extra effort must be made to keep clean and lubed. But then aren't we supposed to be doing those things anyway ?
 
BLACKHAWKNJ said:
Winchester M-77s do have a reputation for jamming, in the case of my clip loader, several deep cleanings did nothing, very gently adjusting the feed lips of the magazine did.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I may try that, if I buy a spare magazine.

As is, I won't hunt with mine, let alone consign it to defensive duty. My Marlin M-795 is more reliable and has stainless components.

T-Star
 
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WIN MODEL 77 WILL NOT FIRE

Maybe you guys can offer me some advice also. I too own a clip fed model 77. I owned it now for about 5 years without any problems. It is cleaned regularly. Just yesterday I took it out for some target shooting with my buddy who also owns a model 77.
I loaded it as I usually did but when it came time to fire there was only a 'click' and no fire... thinking it was the ammo I switched it and same thing happened 'click'. My first thought was the firing pin so I switched it with one my buddy just happened to have (he always makes sure he has at least one extra firing pin for each of his rifles.... lol). Put everything back together but still get the 'click' and no fire. None of the parts look damaged including the firing pin I switched out. Any thoughts? And a big thanks in advance....
 
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