Winchester Repeating Arms 1873 - Manual (Page 3)

2
S tate W arning
According to state law, California requires that
firearm manufacturers, distributors and retailers
include conspicuous, specific warnings with firearms
sold in that state.
Warning: Y ou a re r eSPonSible
F or F irearm S aFetY
Failure to Follow any oF the Following
warnings could result in serious injury
or death.
As a firearm owner, you accept a set of demanding
responsibilities. How seriously you take these
responsibilities can be the difference between life
and death.
There is no excuse for careless or abusive handling of
any firearm. At all times handle this firearm and all
other firearms with intense respect for their power and
potential danger.
Please read and understand all of the cautions,
warnings, notices, proper handling procedures and
instructions outlined in this owner’s manual before
using your new firearm.
1 always KeeP the MuZZle oF your FirearM
Pointed in a saFe direction even though
you are certain it is unloaded.
Never point any firearm at anything you do not
intend to shoot. Be extremely alert and aware of
all persons and property within the range of
your ammunition.
2 never rely totally on your FirearM’s
Mechanical “saFety” device. liKe any
Mechanical device, a “saFety” can
soMetiMes Fail; it can be jarred or
inadvertently ManiPulated into an
unsaFe condition.
The word “safety” describes a firearm’s trigger
block mechanism, sear block mechanism, hammer
block mechanism or firing pin block mechanism.
Mechanical “safeties” are designed to place your
firearm in a safer status, and no guarantee can be
made that the firearm will not fire even if the
“safety” is in the on safe position. Mechanical
“safeties” merely aid safe gun handling and are no
excuse for pointing your firearm’s muzzle in an
unsafe direction. See “Operation of the Hammer”
on page 15 for instructions on the operation of
this firearm’s hammer.
Remember, safe gun handling does not stop with
your firearm’s mechanical “safety” devices, it starts
there. Always treat this firearm with the respect
due a loaded, ready-to-fire firearm.
Some firearms do not have a mechanical “safety.”
Many target firearms, lever-action firearms and
pistols do not have manual “safety” mechanisms.
Therefore it is critical to read and understand the
owner’s manual for every firearm which explains
the safe operation of the firearm.
While it is a good idea to test your firearm’s
mechanical “safety” periodically for proper
function, never test the “safety” while your firearm
is loaded or pointed in an unsafe direction.
3