Question for Winchester '94 gurus

[Cornhusker77]

I have had a Winchester 94 for a few years now, and the action is slick and easy to operate. If it makes a difference at the end of the story, I think it's a 1979 manufacture.
Last weekend, I picked up another one, it's a 1971 I believe.
The action on the 1971 is not nearly as slick. It has "catches" (for lack of a better word)
The hammer spring seems to be a little stiffer, but I noticed the underside of the bolt is curved where it slides over the hammer.
The '79 model is flat.
Obviously, there's a difference between the two, but what's with the curve, and is that my problem?
Sorry if this isn't all clear, and thanks for any info.

 

[rcmodel]

Pre-64's were slicker then owl snot.
Post-64's were bad for a few years because they cheapened the manufacturing processes in several areas way too far.

Then they got better gradually again as they found out sales were down due to all the cost-cutting 'improvements'!

Your 1971 wasn't made nearly as well as the Pre-64's, or some time later when your 1979 was made.

Sorry, but you got what you got.

rc

 

[osteodoc08]

Poor RC must me tired.

Swap the pre and post I the first two lines.

I've got a '54 model and I love it.

 

[DPris]

Yep, just backwards, RC.
Denis

 

[Cornhusker77]

Thanks for the info.
Does anybody here know what years they made them with the curved bolt carrier?

 

[DPris]

If you'll notice, the "curve" eliminates contact with the hammer for part of the bolt travel.

A straight or flat bolt will ride the hammer during its entire length of travel, the curved bolt doesn't.

Look closely at it as you cycle the bolt slowly.
You can figure it out.
Denis