Lever Action Question

[maskedman504]

Hi Guys-

I have a model 1894 in .30-30; my first levergun. I have realized if I don't aggressively cycle the action in one motion, the cartridge will somehow come off the feed ramp and get stuck between the feed ramp and the action of the lever. Then I have to unscrew part of the lever to fish out the bullet. I was wondering if this is normal- I was fishing out a cartridge and a spring shot an internal part out of the gun (I unscrewed the wrong screw); I had to tear down the whole action and put it back together- which is something I am not keen on doing again.

 

[Psa1m144]

No, I don't think that is normal.... mine has never done it. Out of curiosity do you know when it was manufactured?

 

[snakeman]

try a different ammo. if that doesn't work get it to a smith stat!

 

[maskedman504]

No, I don't think that is normal.... mine has never done it. Out of curiosity do you know when it was manufactured?

I looked it up when I bought it- it is either '50 or 60's manufacture. It is a collectible Buffalo Bill edition.

try a different ammo. if that doesn't work get it to a smith stat!

I guess I should try different ammo first- so far I have only been using LEVERevolution.

 

[Psa1m144]

Mine hates that ammo (LEVERevolution) get something with a more rounded nose.

 

[pingpingping]

I guess I should try different ammo first- so far I have only been using LEVERevolution

I'm thinking that could be your problem right there...try some ole round nose and see what you get.

 

[maskedman504]

So just to clarify, you guys can half cock your lever, pause and then chamber a round no problem?

 

[56hawk]

I have a 1894 in 44 magnum, and while it has never done that when I am shooting, it did happen to a friend of mine the first time he tried to shoot it. He did some weird jiggling of the lever and that caused it to jam a round under the feed ramp. This was with lead semi wad cutters.

Does this happen with yours every time you work the action slowly? I'm not sure if mine was just a fluke since it has only happened once.

 

[303tom]

http://www.rarewinchesters.com/images/Exploded Views/1894 Exploded View.jpg

 

[jmr40]

It shouldn't work that way, but with some rifles it does. This is because of inconsistent quality over the years. With lever guns they usually function more reliably if operated briskly. I wouldn't worry about it. I've ran across some guns that did this, others that didn't. But as long as you work the action hard they all seem to function.

 

[birdshot8's]

make sure you are not canting the gun during cycling.

 

[pingpingping]

So just to clarify, you guys can half cock your lever, pause and then chamber a round no problem?

Not quite sure what you mean here. Pausing is likely to cause trouble. Smooth, fluid motion is what you want.