From the Vault: Winchester Model 61 Rifle

Some folks call the Winchester Model 61 the greatest pump action .22 rifle of all time, while others shy away from speaking in absolutes and just call it ONE of the greatest pump action .22 rifles. Brownells Gun Tech™ Keith Ford tells us how the Model 61 earned this enviable status. By 1932 Winchester was feeling the heat from other manufacturers like Remington and Marlin, who had introduced concealed-hammer pump action .22s years before. In contrast, Winchester was still producing its exposed-hammer Model 1890, Model 1906, and Model 62 pumps, all based on an old John Browning design. Built to meticulously high standards of fit and finish, the trim Model 61 may look similar to the Remington Model 12, but it is a completely different gun. Keith gives us a nitty-gritty view of how the Model 61's elegantly simple action operates. Model 61s were typically chambered in .22 Long Rifle, though many dedicated .22 Short "gallery guns" were produced. Less common were .22 WRF and .22 Winchester Magnum chamberings. About 350,000 Model 61s were produced between 1932 and 1963. It's a beautifully made, sweet-shooting rifle, and a good-condition Model 61 can easily fetch $1,000 now. So if you own one, do you still shoot it?