Winchester 1886

Winchester #1

by William W. Johnstone, J.A. Johnstone

The Greatest Western Writer Of The 21st CenturyFrom America's most popular, bestselling Western writer, each novel in this brilliant new series follows the trail of a different gun--each gun with its own fiery story to tell. On the American frontier, every gun tells a story. A boy in Texas waits for a Christmas present he chose from a Montgomery Ward catalog. The present, a brand new, lever action Winchester 1886 and a box of its big .50-caliber slugs, never makes it there. Instead, the rifle is caught up in a train robbery and starts a long and violent journey of its own--from the hands of a notorious, kill-crazy outlaw to an Apache renegade to a hardscrabble rancher and beyond. But while the prized Winchester is wandering the West--aimed, fired, battered and bartered--Deputy U.S. Marshal Jimmy Mann is hunting for the outlaw who robbed the train in Texas. The only clue he has is this prized and highly coveted weapon. What stands in his way are storms, Indians, thieves, a lot of bloody deaths--and a merciless desperado just waiting to kill the lawman on his trail...

Genres: Westerns, Ebooks

385 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 27, 2015

About the author

William W. Johnstone is the #1 bestselling Western writer in America and the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of hundreds of books, with over 50 million copies sold. Born in southern Missouri, he was raised with strong moral and family values by his minister father, and tutored by his schoolteacher mother. He left school at fifteen to work in a carnival and then as a deputy sheriff before serving in the army. He went on to become known as "the Greatest Western writer of the 21st Century." Visit him online at WilliamJohnstone.net.

Reviews

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of a special edition Winchester rifle as it gets passed from character to character, theft, gambling, abandoned, murder etc. A really interesting story with lots of variety. It is very reminiscent of the 1950 Jimmy Stewart western movie "Winchester 73".

[Jerry Blackerby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Johnstone book. The book traces the history of a specific Winchester 1886 Repeater rifle, bought for a teenager. The rifle is stolen before delivery to the teenager and passes through many hands before finally reaching that grown young man. Quite interesting.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my usual genre at all. I liked the idea of following the journey of a particular gun as it passed through the lives of lawmen, outlaws, sharpshooters, gamblers, and ordinary citizens. Wasn't as exciting as I had hoped, but a decent read nonetheless.

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since the death of William W. Johnstone, I thought that good western stories were going to be hard to come by. Mr. Johnstone lives on in spirit and his prodigous output.

Before his death, he had written outlines for many more stories, along with notes of detailed research. This is the first book written by the anonymous author selected by Mr. Johnstone's family and Trustee.

It is absolutely one of the best western novels I have ever read - at least as good as the best of Zane Gray or Max Brand and the top tier of books written by Mr. Johnstone himself.

My feeling is that anyone reading this book and rating it less than four stars either doesn't like westerns or is not knowledgeable of actual western history.

I STRONGLY recommend this novel to anyone who even thinks they might be interested in a western story. If I could have rated it a 10, I would have.

[Bob]

deputy Mann

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

who knew that the story of a rifle would have me so intrigued. jimmy manns brother has offered to get Jimmy's son a Winchester 1886 - .50 cal for Christmas. When the train Jimmy's brother is on his robbed by the notorious and his brother is killed by him and the rifle taken. Over the course of the book the rifle exchanges hands a few times and it takes a whole wild life of its own. We travel through the early American days meeting natives, outlaws, lawmen and so much more. It was such an interesting read and I enjoyed it.

[Mark Luongo · Rating 3 out of 5]

A "gunsmoke and grit in your teeth" story that is quite reminiscent of the Jimmy Stewart movie "Winchester '73" in that a rifle is at the center of the novel. In this case a Winchester 1886 .50-100-450 caliber. A promise, a robbery, a quest, a pretty lady, a despicable outlaw and the inevitable showdown. Johnstone doesn't disappoint.

[Kevin C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another page turner from Johnstone!!! The only thing I have noticed in Westerns... When they have a shoot out and someone is killed... The dead persons gun is always left behind!!! 😂 Pick that gun up, use it, sell it, give it away... Don't leave it out on the ground and in the weather!!!

[Cliff Donnell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too wordy. Appears to write a short story and then tries to find words to turn it into a novel.

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Possibly my favorite Johnstone book so far. Another great western. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Sandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a slow moving story of the history of a stolen rifle and the path of destruction it brought.

[Dennis O'Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read. Fast paced and intriguing

[Donald · Rating 5 out of 5]

s always, Johnstone, has delivered an exceptional read! The characters are real, they have depth, the plot is action-filled and the subject matter is unique. Damn good Western read!

[Casan Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cool book

I enjoyed the story. It was a cool take that followed a rifle as it changes hands. I thought it flowed nicely.

[larry brashear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding!

This is a great book. The story is interesting to the point where I could not put it down until i was done with it.

[Wendy Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Winchester 1886 was a great read. I could hardly put it down. I have not read a western novel in a long time but will certainly look for more by this author. The story mainly follows the travels of a gun, the Winchester 1886 but also follows a family. This gun had quite the story to tell!

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

[Thomas Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book; a fun, exciting read.

[Jeff]

lil gunny

[Jerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

Great story. Keeps you on the edge of your seat and rooting for Jimmy Mannn. James Mann will follow him.

[DON REINEKING · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

I have read a number of Mr Johnstones books and have enjoyed them all. I plan on reading more of his books.

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually, this one of his better books. Not the same Smoke Jensen Recipe book.