Model 94 Win. 2,000,000 series problem?

[Woodsman]

I am wondering if there is something wrong with my model 94. If I choose to eject a cartridge and not cycle up a new one from the tubular magazine, it is very hard to close. The bottom cartidge seems to have difficulty in going back into the tubular magazine.
From what I can remember on my dad's model 94 ( it's an older one too, I don't know the year at the moment) it doesn't have a problem closing if the new cartidge isn't cycled up.

Is this just the way this gun was designed or is there something bent or needing tuning in it?

 

[gunrunner100]

There were some problems, notably the cartridge link. On some, mostly Post 64, the link would wear quick allowing the rim of the shell held in the magazine to override the link, jamming the shell under the lifter. This would facilitate a stripping of the action to remove the cartrdidge.
It is possible that yours is at the early stage of this. You can slow it down by removing the link and gently peening it, building some of the metal back up.
I'm not saying that this is the cure for your rifle, just something to look at. If in doubt, take it to a reputable gunsmith.

 

[Can-down]

Are you using your finger through the port to hold back the cartridge in the mag tube while you cycle the action?

That's the only way I can do what you are describing...

 

[Woodsman]

No finger in the port and no jamming under the lifter.

Let me try and explain another way...

If you push the lever action partially down it ejects the cartridge. At this point you would need to push it further for the lifter to lift the bottom cartidge up. Well if you don't want to lift another cartridge up, you simply close the action at that point. Mine is difficult to close at this point. And from what I can remember ( I could be mistaken) my dad's gun isn't difficult to close.

My reason for doing this would be for safety. For instance, if I am to climb down a slippery slope, I would like to just remove a cartridge from the chamber without cycling all my cartridges out of the tubular magazine.

 

[Can-down]

I've never tried to do it the way you are describing but I just tried it and it didn't work because the cartridge in the mag tube had moved into position to be lifted by the elevator.
If your fingers are not to big you may find it easier to insert a finger in the port and hold back the next cartridge with the loading gate as you cycle the action fully to eject the chambered round.
You can also unload the mag tube back through the loading port to avoid cycling each loaded round through the chamber.


edit.

I just tried your technique again and I can see that it should work if the cartridge is lined up well with the mag tube and gets re inserted as you close the action.

I was trying it with an empty case and the shorter length with no bullet made the case harder to re insert in the mag tube.