Model 94 trouble . .

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WithoutWarning

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I have a question for all you model 94 lovers, shooters and the like.
I just purchased a new 94 carbine and I say new 'cus it hasn't been shot since it was purchased. I dont know that for sure but judging by the condition this rifle is in I would have no trouble saying it hasn't.
Anyway, to get right to the point; it wont feed.
The new cartridge comes into place as normal, is raised up by the lifting arm I'll call it, as normal. However when you try to close the action the rim of the casing gets caught on the two silver side rails with angular grooves cut in them(one groove per rail, angled toward chamber) i assume are to assist feeding. Well, they dont work. The casing rim becomes caught on the bottom sharp edges of those grooves before the outside diameter of that rim can be fed into the grooves. Does that make sense ? It's hard to say in words, what I am seeing.
Anyone with some idea's/sugestions would be greatly appreciated. I hope I didn't get a lemon. .
 
One thing with these levers is that they are not made for slow action, what I;m trying to say is they like fast and strong lever action, not slow and light, as the same with the trigger, they are made for quick and fast shots in the bush.
 
Badbrass; I hear you. If I run that action fast it always gets caught on those grooves. Moving it slower it(cartridge) sometimes 'pops' into place. After looking closer at it, I'm wondering if that lifter arm isn't staying elevated, long enough for the shell to hit the wee notch ground into the up facing side of that arm . . . which would give the casing that extra 'pop'.

Beaner1976; Ser# is BP5XX Early '80s if I remember right.
 
Web instructions

If you google winchester model 94 disassembly there is a web site that gives a great pictorial step by step on how to take the action apart and put it back together. I used it when I disabled one for instruction. (I wept)
Maybe careful reassembly might fix the problem. It doesn't take long. At the very least you should get some further insight on how all the pieces are supposed to fit and work together.
 
If it is that new and unused, try cycling the action without any cartridges in it about a hundred times. Make sure that you have oiled it appropriately. This will help to take the edge off any burrs. Then try cycling it with some dummy cartridges and see how it works. If you only have live rounds, cycle it at the range. As mentioned, it needs to be worked hard (not necessarily fast).
 
I have one made in 1974 (cheap metalurgy)but can flip it back John Wayne style and it will chamber just fine and with a manly lever it allways chambers just fine. You might wish to remember some Winchesters need a firm hand!

My Big Bore in .375Win is even newer but is very slick and needs less man handling to load her up! Winchester 94's are made to be levered like there are 40 Apaches riding right at you ,and you lever like you live Hard and fast!

Bob
 
one of those rails you speak of might be a bit loose. I had the same happen to me, and that was the issue. Tighten screws, issue solved!
 
At a point in the 70"s Winchester changed the mfg of some of the inner parts on the 94. Real problems occured with the lifter lever [it looks flimsey and cheap compared to the old ones ...stamped steel compared to cast steel] The only real fix is to replace this part . They are very available from Wincheter ,Gunsmith etc.
 
Thx. eveyone for the reply's.
I dissasembled the rifle's action and back together again(thx. Beaner for the web-site)
Wasn't to hard to do and most of the parts still had factory oil on them and a bit of grease. I cleaned everything and re-oiled the sliding/moving parts.
The actions seems smoother however, the problem still exists. I know its been mentioned to work the action with authority and when doing so it will never feed. If I close the action with milder force it, sometimes feeds. 1 out of evey 15-20ish.
I wonder if the spring screwed to the side of the receiver that acts on the 'lifter-arm' is to weak. I say this because that arm falls slightly as you close the bolt and the casing misses the little 'kicker' notch in that arm which jumps the shell into those direction grooves, one on each side rail . .? Or like r.j.medals2 said; it may be a bad part, although it looks great. Frustrating I tell ya !
 
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