Читать книгу Gun Digest 2011 онлайн

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Unfortunately for Winchester, a number of guns were already sold before this system was adopted. To address this potential problem, Winchester sent a “Blue Book” to gunsmiths throughout the U. S. and Canada explaining how to rectify this potential problem.

With the trigger assembly removed, the complex shapes of the various components of the feeding assembly become apparent. These were also designed by Marsh Williams. He “whittled” them through trial and error until they functioned flawlessly. However, this resulted in shapes that were difficult to manufacture. The then relatively new technique of investment casting helped, but only somewhat. However, they were still nowhere as easy to make as the stamped sheet metal components in modern repeaters. Fortunately the springs were all simple wire springs rather than the more expensive and less reliable leaf springs.

Surprisingly, the magazines of the Models 50 and 59 only held two shells, plus of course one in the chamber. (While this is certainly no disadvantage nowadays, shooters of the time placed an excessive value on firepower.) The ejector was also simple and reliable: a sturdy rod sliding lengthwise within the bolt with the rear portion of the ejector protruding out the back of the bolt. When the bolt reached the end of its rearward travel, the ejector struck an abutment within the rear of the receiver. This then transmitted the force forward, forcibly ejecting the shell. The system is simple and effective, as there were no small parts to break or malfunction because of congealed lubricants.