I have discussed this before.  Cody worked on one of my Winchesters  a few years ago and said the reason they do that is because the sample guns were sent to gun writers that did not shoot cowboy and they suggested to the  factory reps make them that way to get the brass out of the shooter's way.   Anyway, has anyone thought of a way to save our brass from going down range?   I love my Winchester but it would be nice to  get some brass back sometimes.  Irish Pat sass 19486