loud Model 71

[big bear]

I was out testing loads on the weekend. My Winchester71 has a loud sound on closing the chamber with a round in it. A quite audible ,loud click when the final pressure is applied to chamber the round.The rounds don't have any visible rub marks or scrapes on bullet that I can detect. it occurs with all bullets (Hornady, Silvertips, cast bullets, and Barnes). My Browning 71 and my other 71, a Deluxe close smoothly and quietely. Anyone have any ideas as to what is going on before I take it to a gunsmith?

[Gun Smith]

Could be just an audible function of that gun's action as it locks.

[Buck Elliott]

Send it to me... If I can't determine the cause and repair it satisfactorily in the next 25 years, I'll send it back... No charge!!!

[CaptainFinn]

My 92 used to do that, there was a click as the last fraction of an inch as the bolt and lever closed....I had a rough ejector tail and I think it was binding on the ejector spring, and/or the ejector tunnel in the bolt.....I polished the burrs off the entire ejector and the problem went away.

[J Miller]

It's probably the extractor snapping over the case rim. As you close the action watch the extractor as it snaps over the rim at the very last second. Sometimes if they are really stiff they cause a noise. I've had that happen on Mdl 94s.

Joe

[big bear]

I should add there is increases resistance in the lever as the bolt comes close to closed, then an audible sound, a bit lower pitched than I would use the term click for.The rifle then locks up nicely and shoots well. My other levers chamber rounds quite smoothly and quietly. My problem with the noise is that it precludes hunting with the rifle.

[kimwcook]

My problem with the noise is that it precludes hunting with the rifle.

I can only suspect that's because you don't have a round chambered as you hunt. I would ask why? The 71 has a half cock safety, I hunt with a round in the chamber and the hammer on half cock. Levering a round at the time you should be shooting creates a lot of movement and sound with any lever that I don't see as necessary. Just my .02.

[Mike D.]

Same here. I also hunt with a round chambered and the gun on half cock. It really doesn't make a lot of sense to run around the woods with an unloaded rifle.

[RANisbet]

The noise may also be associated with the cartridge carrier resetting to the bottom or the release of the next round onto the carrier from the mag tube.
Bob Nisbet

[big bear]

Same here. I also hunt with a round chambered and the gun on half cock. It really doesn't make a lot of sense to run around the woods with an unloaded rifle.

Gentleman, the country I hunt is mountainous. I frequently hunt with a partner. For safety sake I do not scramble through rough country with a round in the chamber until I am about to shoot, lever action or bolt action.This has never cost me any game.If I am posted up or sitting a stand I will chamber a round. Likewise if walking a logging road alone. No offense meant, just the way I roll.It makes me nervous to have someone walking behind me with a round up the spout. I'm going to fix up a dummy round and let my old gunsmith take a look at the rifle next time I go to the big city.Let you know what he says/does.

[BigSky56]

Each person has to do what seems best for them muzzle control is the best safety there is. danny

[big bear]

It's probably the extractor snapping over the case rim. As you close the action watch the extractor as it snaps over the rim at the very last second. Sometimes if they are really stiff they cause a noise. I've had that happen on Mdl 94s.

Joe

BINGO! I cleaned the rifle real good and played with a dummy round chambering it ( a dummy playing with a dummy sort of).It is the resistance of the extractor snapping over the case rim. when you ran into this problem how?/did you?/ should one remedy this?

[J Miller]

It's probably the extractor snapping over the case rim. As you close the action watch the extractor as it snaps over the rim at the very last second. Sometimes if they are really stiff they cause a noise. I've had that happen on Mdl 94s.

Joe

BINGO! I cleaned the rifle real good and played with a dummy round chambering it ( a dummy playing with a dummy sort of).It is the resistance of the extractor snapping over the case rim. when you ran into this problem how?/did you?/ should one remedy this?

big bear,
I really didn't do anything with it other than polish the angled face that contacts the case rim. That seemed to help it slide over the rim. Then I made sure the area around and under the extractor was clean and lightly lubed. That's about it.

Joe