Prussians adapt Winchester 66

What If the Prussians adapted the Winchester 66 as standart riffle for their armies ? What If it became Mainstream riffle of the German Empire after 1871 ?
 
No offense, but unless Winchester suddenly became a German, not a chance. The various Germanies were very proud of their gun manufacturers and would not go looking elsewhere.
 
What If the Prussians adapted the Winchester 66 as standart riffle for their armies ? What If it became Mainstream riffle of the German Empire after 1871 ?

It is not a rifle, it is a pistol cartridge carbine. This is an issue when the enemy has soldiers with rifles. This is also an issue when the enemy has cavalry.

Giving about two thirds of the effective range of the Deyse rifles would not have helped in conducting an assault. Giving up the penetration and stopping power not to mention effective range of a full bore rifle cartridge is a really bad idea when facing cavalry.
 
Maybe as a cavalry weapon, repeating firearms can be a liability for the infantry as the blackpowder smoke generated by hundreds of rifles can obscure visibility very quickly. The short range of the Winchester was another problem. Troops had to shoot at not just infantry and cavalry, but artillery personnel as well.

The Winchester is an ideal civilian self defense weapon because one man doesn’t have to worry about excessive smoke. He is likely out numbered, not wearing a cartridge belt, and the fight is taking place at close range. Military rifle selection of the period were overwhelmingly rational and the decisions correct.
 
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