Action falls open on a Winchester 94

[delta duck force]

I just acquired a mid 70s Winchester 94 and the lever falls open, The locking lug drops out from behind the bolt. It acts as if the friction stud isnt functioning properly but it is, it isnt worn, the spring isnt broken, the contact point at the front of the trigger group looks good. I stripped the rifle down to the bare receiver and cant find anything that looks worn, sure there are contact scuffs here and there but nothing is worn out, all springs look good, bushings, pins, no oblong holes, everything looks fine. Does anyone have any experience with this issue. The lever falls nearly an inch from the stock, the locking lug drops down, and the bolt comes back away from the breech. All I have to do is set it down or tap the side of the rifle for it to pop open. Had a gunsmith check it out, he had now idea either. Thoughts?

 

[toiville2feathers]

On the bottom piece on the receiver that come down and the lever lever pivots on there is a detent button. It's on the backside of the bottom piece. The spring for it isn't strong enough or aligning properly in the seat for it.

 

[rcmodel]

It's also possible the lever is bent preventing the detent stud from engaging all the way in the dimple in the lower tang.

Does the lever lay flat against the lower tang when the action is closed?

rc

 

[delta duck force]

Thats the friction stud I mentioned earlier. Spring and stud are both in great shape as well as the surface in latches onto on the front of the trigger assembly. I will try to shim the spring somewhat which will make it stiffer and see if that works. Another thing I thought about doing is machining the pin groove back a few thousandths which will let the stud engage more but its pretty tight clearance, Id hate to take too much off, have the stud stick out too far and hit the trigger assembly with the shank of the stud rather than the taper. Ive read posts on other sights that someone had the same issue, changed the stud and the spring....still had the same issue.

 

[rcmodel]

Try taking the stop pin out, then compress it far enough to lock in the action and see if that helps.

If it does, deepen the notch just a frog hair more so it comes out just a frog hair more.

rc

 

[delta duck force]

I've got it! Well I think I do....I was reading an article about performance mods on lever guns for cowboy action shooting. They typically do some work on the extractor spring. I guess it determines how stiff the action is in the first and last 1/4" of the cycle. The first 1/4"? Yeah that's where my problem is. I looked into it, sure enough, it was smooshed. I stretched it out and put the rifle back together, what a HUGE difference it made! I had to throw the rifle away from me with both hands and snap it back to get it to pop open. Its not 100% yet but WAY better than it was. I'm gonna put a new spring in it and see what that does, as I'm sure this spring has memory and its only a matter of time before it returns to its "smooshed" state. Ill order the new one tomorrow. Ill let you all know what happens. Thanks for the replies.

 

[BBBBill]

"Smooshed." That's a technical term for you tadpole gun plumbers. 'Member that one for future reference.

 

[Jim K]

The "extractor spring" on a 94 was "smooshed"??? Oh, well, if the problem is fixed, it's fixed.

Jim

 

[delta duck force]

How about "collapsed"? "scrunched"? "compressed"? Do I need to sugar coat it for you so you understand what I am trying to say? I came here for advice about a rifle, not a vocabulary lesson (sorry to use a 4 syllable word, just do the best you can, sound it out). Tadpole gun plumbers is why forums like this exist in the first place. If everyone was a master gunsmith no one would ever need any advise. Furthermore, if firearm owners never worked on their own equipment we wouldnt need forums like this. Do you own a car? Probably shouldve bought a truck...Do you own a truck? How do you maintain it? with a credit card? or a wrench? See my point?

 

[BBBBill]

ease up there, dude. I was not making fun of you. I was simply injecting a little humor which we all need to get through the day. Smooshed was humorous in that it is not a technical description, yet conveyed what you were trying to impart.

No one was beating up on you. Didn't even consider such.

 

[Jim K]

Maybe there is something new, but my problem is that there is no extractor spring on a 94 Winchester; the extractor is its own spring.

Jim

 

[Catpop]

Another problem with the later post 64 Win 94's was Winchester did away with the tang mortise cuts in the lower rear of the receiver. The position of the tang and trigger group was then governed by the thickness of the stock at the tang screw. This has caused function problems in overtightened tang screws and oil soaked stocks.
Just some info.

 

[dagger dog]

delta,

Such an outburst ! Remember now YOU ARE ON THE HIGH ROAD !

Just make sure before your next post to brush up on firearms terminology

 

[fguffey]

Does anyone have any experience with this issue. The lever falls nearly an inch from the stock,

Yes I do, some people have all the luck. I purchased one 'new in the box' close to 35 years ago. I examined it then thought it cleaver of Winchester to incorporate the leaver with the safety.

http://media.winchesterguns.com/pdf/om/02227_wfa_94_om_s.pdf

Page 14 has pictures showing the finger leaver and trigger stop.

To fire the leaver must contact the trigger stop.


F. Guffey