Neglected old Winchester 94

Give it a good soaking with Kano Kroil, re-applying as often as you think about it. It might take a week or so, but eventually things will loosen up. Try tapping the bolt forward and back, using a brass or aluminum drift punch. The lever cannot be removed until the bolt can be closed to line up the retaining pin with the take down hole.

This may help you envision parts interaction. #40 Is a precise fit. If that isn’t smooth you can’t cantilever the bolt back.
I had fun working on my old 94. Enjoy

My friend used to make a mix of kerosene, transmission fluid, and something else I forget. Let the rustiest, crudiest, nastiest steel sit in it for a week, and it will free up a bit.

The missing ingredient in Stan Rosen’s formula is acetone. This is essentially the Ed’s Red formula. It works very well but Kroil does too and it is ready to use right out of the can.

Kp321 said:

The missing ingredient in Stan Rosen’s formula is acetone. This is essentially the Ed’s Red formula. It works very well but Kroil does too and it is ready to use right out of the can.

Click to expand...

Thank you so much. I was wracking my meager brain for the missing ingredient. Senility is a bitch.

just cause it is what I've had on hand, and closest to me, I've used a 50/50 mix of mineral spirits and whatever oil is closest.

I'll bet it's mechanically jammed , oil probably won't do it. I could see if it were closed and rusted shut but being out of battery isn't a normal way a gun would be set down to rust for 50 years.

I'd work toward getting it closed so you can take it down. Put pressure upward on the locking piece and forward pressure on the bolt at the same time. Maybe put the gun in the freezer (or outside if it's like it is here) for a couple hours, may help shrink everything down a hair. I'm going to take a guess that there's a serious mechanical failure inside.

I guess you could put a brass rod down the barrel and drive the bolt back while someone puts pressure on the lever but if you get it open , might be tough to get it closed again. 94s aren't simple guns, I have taken mine apart a couple times and it's fiddly .

Good luck, I like the thread. I'm working on a badly worn marlin 1892 right now myself. Home gunsmithing is tough but worth it

Ed's red user here too. To the OP i hope your project is a success.

Kroil is your friend. Just don't be impatient.

Kroil/heatgun Kroil/heatgun Kroil/heatgun

Pb blaster is still good, but old school GM heat valve spray is take no prisoners.

My 94 win 30-30 was tight enough I had to press the muzzle to the floor to operate, but it moved. Patience. And good luck

Another vote for soaking in Kroil. It never disappoints...

I hope you can make it serviceable. I have a 1947 Win model 94 in 32 Win Special. Also known as the “flat band”. A very fine rifle and shooter.

Bayou52

I hope it works out. Nice to see an old rifle saved.

Good going, Rick. Lots of luck in resuscitating that old girl. You appear to be motivated, for sure.

Here’s a pic of the 1947 vintage flat band model 94 in 32 Win Spl:



Bayou52

Hi, Rick -

Yes, the flat band name refers to the flat shape of the forward barrel band. This rifle was one of the first to come off of the commercial post-war manufacturing line after Win retooled following the war. The flat band was used only on 1947 and 1948 models before the convex shape was brought back, as I’ve read.

The rifle was sold to me 4 years ago by an elderly neighbor who received it as a 14th birthday gift from his father in 1947. He had to go into a nursing facility sadly. He remains there today. He was a Pennsylvania deer hunter and told me he took about 75 deer with this rifle. Even more sad is that due to the virus, I can no longer visit him...

Bayou52

Thanks for the tips, Rick!
Bayou52

Please let us know how that goes! I’m interested, for one...

Bayou52

I had a thunk. Remove the mag tube and see if there is a blockage under the lifter. Another possibility is a broken lifter.