Winchester: 356W , Problem/Question

oldmax · Post by **oldmax** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 5:53 am

I have owned a 356W for quite a few years, I hunt with it occasionally
but have a problem unloading the rifle.

If I eject the cartridges less than " Quick & Firmly " a 2nd cartridge
drops from the magazine under the feed ramp.
This Locks everything up, 1 Cartridge partially in barrel and 1 under ramp.
I have to slide the bottom cartridge back into the magazine, to get the other cartridge loaded to clear the problem.
The process is like 1 of those mech. puzzles, A REAL pain in the butt.

So, don't use the rifle as much as I would like.

Anyone else have this problem ?????

Is this a design problem or unique to my Rifle ??

Tycer · Post by **Tycer** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 7:51 am

Not correct or normal. Something is amiss.....

I'm guessing this rifle has not seen a lot of use. Might just be gummy with factory oil, but my guess is the cartridge stop is not doing it's job. The cartridge stop is on the front of the lever-link, which is the bottom-most part on the receiver. Winchester will warranty the part if it is broken.

The lever link and lever can be removed for inspection by just two screws.

C. Cash · Post by **C. Cash** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 8:49 am

Yes, what Tycer said! Welcome to the fire. Love those 356's.

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 10:05 am

Take it apart, clean it real good. Inspect the cartridge stop, the little pointed projection on the top front of the link.

The under the carrier jam is not normal at all.

Joe

iceman · Post by **iceman** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 10:17 am

I had the same problem with my 356. I added a little blob of bronze welding rod to the shell stop and reshaped the stop. Works great now. I have herd od peening the stop to reshape but my little blob of bronzed seems to work ok. Just my .02 canadian.

oldmax · Post by **oldmax** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 2:16 pm

Thanks all.... Owned since new, probably less than 200 rounds fired.

I will look at the lever and see if that is the problem.
Sure sounds like it is, I Would like to get a little more use out of it...
Bummer when it jams up...

xxclaro · Post by **xxclaro** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 10:39 pm

I had the exact same isue with my .356, and have had it happen once with my .444. I took my .307 apart and measured the cartridge stop on it, as it has never malfunctioned. Sure enough, the .356 was a tad short. I gave it a little zap with my Mig, and then filed and stoned it to the same configuration as the .307. She's been perfect since, and hopefully stays that way.

C. Cash · Post by **C. Cash** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 9:55 am

Oldmax,

Yes...don't give up on this grand cartridge/rifle. This should be easily remedied by a competent gunsmith or yourself if your handy. Hope to see your reports in the future and good luck.

Pete44ru · Post by **Pete44ru** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 9:59 am

I had a successful repair to mine, by removing the lower link and peening/swedging the stop so that it extended upward a smidgen (a technical term, similar to an RCH).

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 10:03 am

Pete44ru wrote:I had a successful repair to mine, by removing the lower link and peening/swedging the stop so that it extended upward a smidgen (a technical term, similar to an RCH).

Nuther words you beat the snot out of it

. That's what the gunsmith that fixed mine did. Took it apart, rested the little stop on a anvil and spoke to it with a hammer. Then a couple strokes with a file and all was right again.

A simple fix for a very frustrating problem.

Joe

Pete44ru · Post by **Pete44ru** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 12:29 pm

[Nuther words you beat the snot out of it ]

Nope ! Us "professionals", "adjust" it via a little "massage".

oldmax · Post by **oldmax** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 6:15 pm

Thanks again guys, for the help and the Laughs !!!!!!!

Should have known,

Hammer to shape, File to Fit...

oldmax · Post by **oldmax** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 12:45 pm

Checking out the Rifle this morning ( Lousy day outside, 65 and raining )
I just hate winter

1st Winchester I have worked on , so thought I would try not to screw it up.

Looking at the operation of the lever cycle.

1. It looks like the tab that holds the bullet in the magazine starts
down (close cycle)just a tad before the loading ram drops...
That is the reason to increase tab height. ????

2. When the Bolt is fully closed it looks like a round is dropped onto
the loading ramp ? correct ?

Also, assuming correct to statement 2, the bullets are not held in the
magazine when bolt is closed, T/F ??

Assuming above true, The first operation of the lever raises the 'Tab' to separate magazine bullet from the bullet on loading, T/F ??

Just trying to understand how it works. without cycling live ammo
in the rifle ( neighbors to close here in Florida ) don't need the sheriff
arriving, he lives 2 houses down...

On dis-assembly to repair, :

Does the front pivot screw drop the lever assembly from the rifle without
a. any other screws needing to be removed???
b. without parts falling everywhere ( not good, been there )?
c. does the bolt also slide out for cleaning?

And: I noticed in the past, that when loading the gate needed to be
pushed rather hard to get next bullet into the magazine , is this normal??

Thanks all,

oldmax · Post by **oldmax** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 1:20 pm

Been re-reading the post again, Looked real close at the picture.
TX Jmiller.
The hole looks to be mis drilled, I have never seen a hole purposely
drilled with such little stock remaining around hole.
? factory manuf defect ???