Question for Win94 gurus

Rocket Surgery

Rocket Surgery

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Does anyone know why all the sudden a Win94 would start pushing the cartridges in the tube back enough (into the action) to lock the loading gate? Once you load a cartridge, the gate locks and you can't get more in. The only way to fully load the thing is to push each cartridge in with another, so the gate never closes.

Since this started, the spent casings are harder to eject. Sometimes they're so difficult you have to reef on the lever. I believe it's because the magazine is pushing a cartridge so far back in to the action that it's messing with the internals. I took it to a gunsmith last week, he completely stripped it down and put it back together and said there was nothing wrong with it other than the loading gate screw being loose. Now that it's back together I'm running snap caps through it and it's still acting crazy. The gunsmith didn't charge me anything because he said there was nothing wrong, and he even cleaned out the internals really well.

Keep in mind the gun was dropped by the police once, dinging the front part of the mag tube (where the screw is). This was well before the problems started, and about 10 years before I took possession of the thing.

Does anyone have any theories? The only thing I can think of is that there's a catch on the mag tube that's worn out, but the gun has less than 100 rounds through it.
 
I'm no guru but ...

It sounds like there is a buildup of crud/corrosion in the magazine tube. Maybe your smith didn't strip the tube and clean it? Actually if there is a ding in the tube it's quite likely he didn't.

Remove the magazine cap screw while holding the cap with your thumb. The cap and spring will shoot across the room if you don't hold it. I know this for a fact.

Pull the spring out or pick it up from across the room :). Remove both barrel band screws. Slide the fore stock band towards the muzzle. The mag tube should now slide out with some wiggling. The fore stock will also come off.

Inside the tube is the follower. It should slide out of the tube if you tilt the tube down. It may not because of the ding. It's easier to clean if the follower slides out but it's not a big deal if it doesn't.

Flush the tube with brake cleaner. Using a 50 cal bore brush scrub the tube from both ends. Wrap a patch around the brush and swab until clean. Lightly oil the tube and spring.

Reassembly is the reverse order.

Good luck.

ct
 
As far as loading the gun, I have always done what you are currently complaining about.

Loading each cartridge partially, always leaving one blocking the gate open so it doesn't close and push the others back into the receiver.

How did you load it before??
 
x2 on cartridge stop

There's a little horn/teat that prevents next round in tube-mag from entering action.
They get worn AND/or, if you work action "gingerly" (snap that sucker!) a fresh round sneaks by...jams up the works and, is no fun.

98% chance this will happen while a deer is laughing at you...

afterthought:

The 'smith would have snapped the action through it's cycle and, probably not witnessed your issue...when loading, I use the next to push the current well into the tube (last one I use my finger and, rack/cycle)
 
Last edited:
Do you mean 4894?

Win94a-1.jpg
 
I recently purchased a Pre-64 model 94 in .30-30. I tested the action with snap caps and had the exact same problem that you are having now. After doing a bunch of research and talking to a few gunsmiths, AND receiving different answers each time, I took it upon myself to do some of my own research and figure it out myself.

Now keep in mind that I am talking a pre-64 model, so I can't say and don't know how the redesigned models work.

I tore into the action and disassembled everything. The finger-lever is the part acting as the cartridge stop, however it stops the cartridge a very small amount past the loading gate. The lever is pinned to the bolt and just below where it is pinned is shaped to be at a 90 degree angle to the magazine, so the next cartridge in the mag sits against it.

My problem however was not the lever. The loading gate on my 94 was worn badly. The rim of the cartridge in the mag was getting caught on the radius of the gate instead of being pushed back into the mag and letting the gate open. The gate is designed so the back side of it has a ramp.

I replaced the gate and my problem was solved. Finding a new gate turned out to be the biggest challenge but luckily a local gunsmith had one of the same era that was in great shape.

Hope this helps.

Good luck.
 
My model 94 is the same way ,as in that if anyone else but me trys to add a shell

the push of the bullet won't open the kingsgate. I just use my finger to push in

the gate and it snaps(only way I can explain it)and you can feel the round under the

gate move back. Then you can load another round .

Bob
 
bobbyjack said:
I just use my finger to push in

the gate and it snaps(only way I can explain it)and you can feel the round under the

gate move back. Then you can load another round .

Bob
Click to expand...

Thats about how bad mine was. With the new gate the ramp is nice and smooth and I now have no trouble using the tip of the next round to push the gate open and load at the same time.

Trying to track a new gate down as well as the cost of the stupid little part may not be worth the hassle to most folks though. :eek:
 
Well I don't know, but it's fixed now. I took the forestock off and loosened the mag tube screw. I messed around with the alignment of the tube on the barrel and now it works. Looks like it was the mag all along, I'm going to pick up a new one because I don't trust this thing.

I can now load rounds into the mag at will, without having to worry about the loading gate becoming stuck.

I'm also getting pretty good at getting the spent casings to land in my front shirt pocket instead of on the ground, which is nice for reloading.
 
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