Winchester 1894 30-30

cchaddock

cchaddock

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sw ontario
I recently got this rifle and have yet to shoot it, it's a 1952 production model and i'm not an expert by any means. I'm looking for some experts to let me know what to look for with this rifle, what goes wrong with them and what is a sloppy action versus a tight action etc, etc. Any direction on dis-assembly and proper cleaning techniques would be great also.


ps -- I plan on shooting it tomorrow afternoon.
 
Winchester lever guns are one of those guns you don't really take apart

clean it before you go and check barrel

when empty check your safety's 2 of them (newer guns are different)
1) hammer safety (half ####)
2) lever safety ( little pin on bottom of receiver under lever)
lever has to be closed that last little bit for the hammer to fall ( app 1/16 plus pin movement)

check your 1 pc of fired brass for head space problems/ primer setback = STOP
or other problems

i had one for 25 years and only had it apart 1 time did a very through cleaning and had to fight with it to get it back together ( loading port etc. springs)

30-30 actions don't get very dirty (like a semi)

old tooth brush in the action/ with rag / patch to clean bolt face/ sides

clean barrel the way you clean any action

oil lightly moving parts and wipe down all out side metal parts( acid from your hands)

i ve only replaced one pin that was worn when i got it
 
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Blow the action out with WD40 or brake cleaner, brush the dirty areas, lightly oil and enjoy. I have several 100 year old winnies and the screws look like they have not been turned by a screwdriver. Whats to fix......just go out and enjoy....your gun still has 50 years of joy left in it and then some.
 
When the action is open it might seem a loose, but when it is closed on a cartridge, it is tight. I have one that has been used since 1899 and I doubt it has ever been taken apart. It still works great and should be fine for another 100 years. I have another that is 101 years old and it is in excellent working order. These old Model 1894's are a very well-designed and reliable gun.
 
One of the things that makes a '94 work so well, is that loose quality. It lets dirt and debris fall out. It tends to clean itself, within reason.
I've had all mine apart down to the last pin. If you are mechanically inclined, it's no big deal, if you're not, just leave it alone, clean it the best you can, and take it to a gunsmith if you feel the need for a serious cleaning.
If you decide to tackle it, and get stuck, I'm sure we can help you through.
With the action closed on an empty cartridge, it should be quite tight, with the exception of some side, or up and down play in the lever.
You should not be able to move the bolt back and forth much, if at all, by pushing on it with your thumbs.
 
On one occasion I cycled the action (1951 model) really slowly and my incoming cartridge got caught below the bar which normally lifts the cartridge into place before it is pushed into the chamber. Then it was jammed and I couldn't do anything. I had to carefully take it apart to undo the problem and get the incoming cartridge out. (Don't have it in front of me to recall the specific screw(s) removed)

My suggestion; Be fairly aggressive when cycling the action to eject and then chamber a new round. It won't hurt the rifle.
 
Don't spray WD40 into a rifle. It leaves a gummy residue. Carburator cleaner or brake cleaner is good. I put a piece of paper towel over the waste basket and then spray. The paper showss the dirt coming out. When it starts to drain clean fluid, the action is clean. Lightly oil with an oil spray and you are good to go.
 
IMHO avoid taking ones 94 apart unless you really have to. :D

Somewhere online there is a great page showing how to...including a description of the infamous bolt removal screw on the side of the receiver.
 
Calum said:
IMHO avoid taking ones 94 apart unless you really have to. :D

Somewhere online there is a great page showing how to...including a description of the infamous bolt removal screw on the side of the receiver.
Click to expand...
Just to clear that up, the screw does NOT retain the bolt, it covers a hole that allows the Bolt pin to be removed by pushing it through and out the screw hole..
 
mule said:
On one occasion I cycled the action (1951 model) really slowly and my incoming cartridge got caught below the bar which normally lifts the cartridge into place before it is pushed into the chamber. Then it was jammed and I couldn't do anything. I had to carefully take it apart to undo the problem and get the incoming cartridge out. (Don't have it in front of me to recall the specific screw(s) removed)

My suggestion; Be fairly aggressive when cycling the action to eject and then chamber a new round. It won't hurt the rifle.
Click to expand...


It's not all that common on '94's to get a cartridge under the cartridge lifter. Does happen though. Typically, it results from a worn cartridge stop.
I will second the notion that working the action in a brisk manner will eliminate a lot of issues that result from operator error.
 
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thanks for all the comments

like many said, leave it alone if it's working fine. it cycled very well and shot very straight. I'm going to leave it just the way is is and clean the barrel.
 
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