Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Winchester Collectors First year model 77

Hello all, I have just came into possession of a Winchester model 77 .22 LR magazine fed rifle. The serial number dates it 1955, (the first year the rifle was made). The rifle did not come with a magazine, from what I have researched so far the original mags are hard to find and expensive. Also I have not heard good reviews on after market mags. The rifle will also not fire. Does there need to be a magazine in the rifle to fire? Otherwise, I’m thinking it might be a broken firing pin. Was there any common issues with this first year rifles? Thank you

No direct answer here re first year prouction problems. My dad bought a tube feeder Win Model 77 in fifties brand new. Feeding problems from day one. Return to New Haven Factory never resolved satisfactorily. Whatever the causation, I'd avoid them! Can't speak to magazine disconnectors, but that wasn't an era where such common even in handguns to my knowledge.

That said... 1. As a semi-auto genre generalization, always consider the ammo before blaming the gun itself. 2. Make sure the gun is 'properly cleaned'. Especially in respect of .22 chambered rifles.

Good luck!
John

Had the clip version for a while. In my experience you want to avoid using bare lead bullets due to feeding issues. Mine ran OK with copper washed ammo. Takedown to clean is a PITA.

About 90% of them are mag fed, should be some mags out there but they are pricey. I recently got rid of a mag version after picking up a tube version. The 77 was probably the beginning of the end of their old classic auto 22s. They are known to have issues...but if you want to complete a Winchester 22 collection...you need one.

Jacksfirst gun parts should have some 77 parts if needed.

The 77’s are beautiful rifles, to look at, not use. The comments here echo my experience with them. They are a pita to take apart and really shouldn’t be too often. The last one I owned had a very loose barrel to receiver fit and thus had terrible accuracy with a scope. I reasoned that every take down could loosen the fit more.