Winchester Model 74

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USMC Tanker

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A friend of mine wants me to take a look at his Winchester Model 74 (approx 1939) and I was wondering if anyone had any operating manuals or disassembly/reassembly/maintenance manuals for this particular rifle. Or even if someone can explain to me how to do it, it'd be much appreciated. All I really need to know is how to break it down. THANKS!
 
The Model 74 is incredibly simple to take down.
Just push the large pin at the rear of the receiver to one side and the bolt will slide out the rear.
everything is in your hands from there.
If the gun has the same problem mine had ( bolt stuck, won't fire, trigger seems stuck ) try this:
You may have difficulty removing the bolt, but she'll go.
Rotate the firing pin to find the 'sweet spot' whereas the action works smoothly. Firing pin removal may be necessary (just a couple of pins).
To check it, you can perform a function check with the bolt outside of the receiver. The lever on the bottom of the bolt is engaged by the trigger, and the bolt cocks and fires outside, too.
Once everything appears to be working fine, just slide the bolt back into the receiver. You will notice that it is much easier than removal.
Load the magazine and let her rip ( at a range, of course ).
It may take a bit of trial and error, but you'll find out what's up.
If parts are needed, try Numrich Arms at www.e-gunparts.com.
They have a complete parts breakdown and schematic, also.
 
Winchester 94

Thanks for the posted message. I am a gunsmith in England and was not sure how to strip it down as you say very simple. However, you have to know how.

Many thanks, Paul Akins of guncrafts.co.uk
 
I am in kind of the situation USMC Tanker is in except it is my Win.model 74.It first belonged to my grandfather,passed to my father,then to me.If you would be willing to email me the same info and photos as USMC Tanker I would very much appreciate it.I really want to keep this family heirloom so to speak in tip top condition,Thank you very much T.J. (wyldkard)

My email is [email protected]
 
Winchester 74 22

I have found a Winchester 74 22 at apawn shop for 175.00 . It is in fair condition and it has a scope mounted on it. Did they have that option when new. Would like some feed back if possible. [email protected]
 
No scope option when new.

I don't believe they were even offered with a grooved receiver for a Weaver tip-off mount before production ended in 1955.

If it is drilled & tapped for a Weaver or other side mount, someone drilled & tapped it later.

rc
 
Winchester 74 22 short only

Does anyone know how rear a Winchester 74 22 short cal. only is and how much they would be worth.
 
I have a slightly different question. My little brother was cleaning my Model 74, and when he took the bolt out to swab the barrel, he squeezed the two ends together in his hands. Effectively, he has cocked the gun while it was dissasembled. I can't insert the bolt into the housing again to dry fire it, because the button that allows you to reinsert the bolt won't go down if the gun is cocked. Is there a way for me to manually decock the gun when the action is removed from the housing?
 
Does anyone know how rear a Winchester 74 22 short cal. only is and how much they would be worth.

I assume you mean "rare". The 22 short only versions are early guns and command a slight premium over the later versions.
 
I have a Winchester 74 22 short only , it does not eject the spent shell , stove piping every shell . Is there any help our there. Also are parts for the 22 short interchangeable with the 22 long. Thank You for any help.
 
You also have to remove the loading tube at the rear of the rifle.
 
I'm working on one of these that has the charging handel broken off. I looked at Numrich but didn't see one listed. Does anyone have any ideas?
 
Winchester 74

I have a Winchester 74 and I was looking on ProofHouse.com to see what year it was made but it did not give me any help. The Serial #93757 was not listed. Can you help.
 
I have a Winchester 74 and I was looking on ProofHouse.com to see what year it was made but it did not give me any help. The Serial #93757 was not listed. Can you help.


Looks like 1940. 1941 began with #114355.

Fun gun to shoot... always worried about losing the magazine tube when I carry it afield though.
-Mark
 
Rick Check the the chamber if someone has been dry firing the rifle without a spent casing being a rim fire the firing pin may have nicked the edge of the chamber. If so the problem can be fixed by having the chamber rebored.

Rick, the Model 74 has a stamp date on the under side of the barrel of the rifle. You can find it by removing the screw on the under side of the stock seperating it from the barrel. You should fine a month and year stamped into the barrel; mine is stamped 7 49 meaning July 1949. Good luck. Ray
 
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I disassembled my Model 74 and the trigger spring fell out before i saw where it was. Does anyone have a diagram of the trigger assembly and spring, or can anyone tell me where it goes?

thanks
 
I'm sure you got your trigger spring back in. The thing to remember is the hooks hump upward and the rectangle goes on top of the magazine tube and under the pin, hooks on top back of trigger.
Like people have said - Numrich has great resources, including an exploded diagram of the 74 and full parts list.
 
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