Winchester Model 77
Winchester Repeating Arms Company · Rifle · Discontinued · 1955
Also known as: Winchester 77
Overview
The Winchester Model 77 is a semi-automatic .22 Long Rifle sporting rifle produced from 1955 to 1963. It featured a streamlined, fully enclosed receiver, a blowback action, and an adjustable trigger that was unusual for a rimfire semi-automatic of its era. The rifle was offered in two feed configurations: an eight-round detachable box magazine and a fifteen-round tubular magazine. Roughly 217,000 were built as an affordable American plinking and small-game rifle.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 2522 g (89.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1016 mm (40.00") |
| Barrel Length | 559 mm (22.01") |
| Action Type | Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 8 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 330 m/s (1083 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 141 J (104 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 90 m (98 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 406 mm (15.98") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .22 Long Rifle · primary — also known as .22 LR, 22 LR, 5.6x15mmR
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine, Tubular Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Cross Bolt Safety
- Features: Enclosed Receiver, Adjustable Trigger, Grooved Receiver For Scope Mounts, Side Charging Handle, Brass Bead Front Sight
Service history
Operators
- Civilian sport shooters · adopted 1955
Production
Estimated total produced: 217,000 · Production years: 1955-1963
Approximately 217,000 rifles produced across box- and tube-magazine variants
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Winchester Repeating Arms Company
Discontinued: 1963
Notes
Two feed variants were produced: the box-magazine model (8 rounds) and the tube-magazine model (15 rounds). Later production used a birch stock and a plastic trigger guard, and late models (1960-1963) added a bolt hold-open button. The receiver was grooved for tip-off scope mounts.
Background
Introduced at $29.95 in 1955, the Model 77 was Winchester's affordable answer to the post-war demand for inexpensive self-loading .22 rifles, drawing on manufacturing experience from Winchester's wartime M1 Carbine production.