Winchester '94 action tightened: NOT GOOD!

LeverBar · Post by **LeverBar** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 1:23 pm

While shooting my .32 WSP DOM=1912, the action tightened up as if something had been bent(?) loosened(?). The loads were normal pressures.

I've read that toothpaste, steel wool, polishing the bolt might help some dragging problems.

What might have caused this rifle to tighten?

I'd like to get it back to its smooth, easily cycled state.

cutter · Post by **cutter** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 1:41 pm

Check for damage, or misplaced parts before you do anything.
My Marlin 1895 ( Marilyn as I call her ) did something similar. What had happened in this case, was one of the set screws in the top on the reciever had somehow threaded it's way through, and contacted the bolt.

It may just need a good cleaning, or a different lube.

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 2:22 pm

LeverBar wrote:While shooting my .32 WSP DOM=1912, the action tightened up as if something had been bent(?) loosened(?). The loads were normal pressures.

I've read that toothpaste, steel wool, polishing the bolt might help some dragging problems.

What might have caused this rifle to tighten?

I'd like to get it back to its smooth, easily cycled state.

Leverbar,

Forget the toothpaste, steel wool, and the rest of the stuff. Since that rifle was working good to start with something has happened inside. Take it totally apart and check everything for worn parts, dirt gummed up oil or debris. Especially ckeck the pin that holds the lever to the bolt and the two carrier screws. I've seen them worn almost all the way through. Check for debris inside, I once found a primer inside one that was causing trouble. Hose the bolt out with aerosol cleaner, you never know what junk is lurking around the firing pin. And the curve at the top of the lever actually retracts the firing pin, so if the firing pin is binding, every thing will bind.
Find the problem and fix it. I might just need to be cleaned and lubed.

Joe

LeverBar · Post by **LeverBar** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 2:58 pm

Do you fellows foresee any surprises/problems I might run into in disassembling this rifle?

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 4:25 pm

I wouldn't if you take your time and hunt up a couple exploded drawings.

They are actually a very simple action to work on. And there is nothing that requires a tremendous amount of force to remove.
The lever to bolt pin will push out once you remove the retaining screw. No need to use force. If it does not come out you'll need to jiggle and wiggle things, not beat on them.

Other than that just slowly unscrew things from the butstock forward and study where each thing come out.

Oh, no two parts are the same except the carrier screws and the cartridge guide screws. All other screws are unique to their positions. And if they are tight you don't need to remove the cartridge guide screws.

The hammer screw holds the hammer and lower tang in place. The lower tang may be VERY tight. It has a boss that rides in a grove on each side. These early ones were actually fitted and over time will simply grow in there. Take a wooden down and tap it back out of the receiver from the front end. Or it could be loose and then it will come right out. I've seen them both ways.

Feel free to PM me with questions if you need to.

Joe

w30wcf · Post by **w30wcf** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 4:30 pm

LeverBar,

Joe gives good advice. You might want to check the loading gate screw first. If that is loose, the spring can put tension on the lifter.

w30wcf

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 4:53 pm

Loading gate spring screw ......

, why do I always forget that one? Durnit.

Joe

WyrTwister · Post by **WyrTwister** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 5:35 pm

J Miller wrote:I wouldn't if you take your time and hunt up a couple exploded drawings.

They are actually a very simple action to work on. And there is nothing that requires a tremendous amount of force to remove.
The lever to bolt pin will push out once you remove the retaining screw. No need to use force. If it does not come out you'll need to jiggle and wiggle things, not beat on them.

Other than that just slowly unscrew things from the butstock forward and study where each thing come out.

Oh, no two parts are the same except the carrier screws and the cartridge guide screws. All other screws are unique to their positions. And if they are tight you don't need to remove the cartridge guide screws.

The hammer screw holds the hammer and lower tang in place. The lower tang may be VERY tight. It has a boss that rides in a grove on each side. These early ones were actually fitted and over time will simply grow in there. Take a wooden down and tap it back out of the receiver from the front end. Or it could be loose and then it will come right out. I've seen them both ways.

Feel free to PM me with questions if you need to.

Joe

Might take video or digital pictures each step of the dis-assembly . To help you re-assemble it .

God bless
Wyr

cas · Post by **cas** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 5:52 pm

I took apart my first Win 94 while sitting on the toilet.

LMAO bathroom gunsmith... try not to drop any parts.

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 7:05 pm

cas wrote:I took apart my first Win 94 while sitting on the toilet.

LMAO bathroom gunsmith... try not to drop any parts.

Thanks cas, I needed a laugh. That's a funny minds eye picture.

Joe

LeverBar · Post by **LeverBar** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 7:18 pm

Gracious! Cas. I really didn't need to know that! My eyes!My eyes!

How are these directions?
http://www.castbullet.com/misc/tdown.htm

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 9:11 pm

Leverbar

I have a factory repair manual for the pre 64 94 with very clear disassembly instructions with words and drawings. If you email me your info I will mail you one.

rustygun@msn.com

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 9:40 pm

Dave,

Would you have more than one copy of that? I don't mean to impose, but as much as I know, I can always learn more.

Joe

LeverBar · Post by **LeverBar** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 11:32 pm

Thank you, Dave. I've sent you an email.

Another kindness surfaces from among our members!

C. Cash · Post by **C. Cash** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 11:58 pm

cas wrote:I took apart my first Win 94 while sitting on the toilet.

LMAO bathroom gunsmith... try not to drop any parts.

Well that's just wrong, all wrong.

Pete44ru · Post by **Pete44ru** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 2:46 am

I've found that when a Winchester M94 suddenly tightens, it's usually a bent pivot pin somewhere.

The last one I had was on a BB94 that suddenly developed a hard trigger pull as I was shooting it at the range -yup, a bent trigger pivot pin I fixed by replacing it with a ground down section of appropriately sized drill bit shank.

LeverBar · Post by **LeverBar** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 5:23 pm

Thanks, Pete44ru. I'll watch for this. Makes much sense.

I've checked all the screws and the action is still a bit tight/restricted.

LeverBar · Post by **LeverBar** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 9:45 pm

Just finished putting the rifle back together--and the action is free again!

This rifle has been well cared for over the years, hardly any residue inside--not shot much.

I'm not certain what did the trick. Maybe I cleared a screw hole a bit and a slightly bent screw is realigned as to not inhibit a smooth bolt?

There were slight bumps on the bolt guides. Steel wooled them--not much though. But these shouldn't have been a problem because as I dismantled the rifle, I worked the bolt after removing the hammer and the lower tang--it worked smoothly at that point.

Oiled, though it didn't need it prior to dismantling.

But, it works now!

Thank you all for the suggestions. knowledge, and support in this task.

Pete44ru · Post by **Pete44ru** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 10:42 am

[I'm not certain what did the trick]

You transmorgified it.

Modoc ED · Post by **Modoc ED** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 10:58 am

cas wrote:I took apart my first Win 94 while sitting on the toilet.

LMAO bathroom gunsmith... try not to drop any parts.

Hmmmmmmmmmmm. I can see the merrits of taking a lever gun apart while on the toilet. After all, should you need it, there's a spare lever right there on the tank.

LeverBar · Post by **LeverBar** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 3:11 pm

Ya, but it is stainless--won't match my finish.

cas · Post by **cas** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 5:02 pm

I knew the ol' bathroom threat trick would work!

Winchester '94 action tightened: NOT GOOD!

Winchester '94 action tightened: NOT GOOD!

Re: Winchester '94 action tightened: NOT GOOD!