Rifle Review: Uberti's 1886 Sporting - A Modern Tribute to a Legendary Big-Game Lever Gun
- guns56
- Nov 5
- 2 min read
The Uberti 1886 Sporting Rifle stands as a faithful and refined homage to one of the most important lever-action rifles in American history. Originally introduced by Winchester in the late 19th century, the Model 1886 was engineered to give hunters a high-capacity repeating rifle chambered in powerful, widely available big-bore cartridges. Uberti’s modern recreation preserves the look, feel, and mechanical integrity of the original design while elevating fit, finish, and shootability for today’s shooters.
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At the heart of the 1886 Sporting Rifle is its robust action, a hallmark of the original John Moses Browning design. Uberti’s interpretation maintains the strength needed to safely handle mid-grade .45-70 Government loads, making the rifle suitable for virtually any game animal in North America. Whether used for elk, bear, or larger plains game, the 1886 provides the reliable performance, accuracy, and bone-deep authority that made the cartridge a staple among serious hunters for more than a century.
Uberti built the 1886 Sporting Rifle to stand out not only in performance, but also in craftsmanship. The receiver features a striking color-case finish, offering rich tonal depth that contrasts beautifully with the blued spring-steel loading port, an aesthetic pairing that evokes the style of high-grade lever guns from the late 1800s. This finish also reflects Uberti’s commitment to heritage machining and hand-applied finishing techniques that give their rifles unmistakable visual character.
The stock is crafted from A-grade American Walnut, selected for both strength and beauty. Its checkering is sharp, even, and precise, offering excellent purchase without compromising the rifle’s classic lines. Together, the steel and wood give the 1886 a presence that feels equally at home on display or in the hands of a seasoned hunter preparing for a long day in rugged terrain.
The classic long-octagon barrel, blued to a deep finish, provides excellent forward weight and stability. The rifle includes fully adjustable sights, allowing shooters to fine-tune elevation and windage for both hunting and range work. Uberti also drills and taps the rifle to accept a Lyman receiver peep sight, just as the original Winchester rifles did, a detail appreciated by traditionalists and practical hunters alike, as peep sights significantly enhance precision without compromising the rifle’s historical authenticity.
In the field, the 1886 Sporting Rifle handles with the characteristic smoothness of a large-frame lever gun. Its long stroke and solid locking action provide a reassuring sense of durability, while the rifle’s weight helps absorb the recoil of stout .45-70 loads. Combined with its 8-round tubular magazine, shooters get both adequate capacity and the confidence that each cycling stroke will be predictable, authoritative, and reliable.
The Uberti 1886 Sporting Rifle is more than a reproduction, it is a celebration of American rifle heritage, capturing the essence of the classic Winchester design while meeting modern expectations for craftsmanship and performance. Whether admired for its artful construction or carried into the field for serious big-game hunting, the 1886 stands as one of the most compelling lever-action rifles available today for those who appreciate tradition, capability, and uncompromising quality.
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