Winchester 94 action stiff

bat119

bat119

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I picked up a Winchester 94 little big horn 44-40 for a shooter it had fallen off a wall and scratched the stock. The action is very stiff especially when closing the action the last ½” is very stiff, I tried taking the action apart and cleaning and polishing everything then oiling the action and cycling it 3 or 400 times But it still can’t be cycled at the shoulder when shooting I have to lower the rifle to cycle. I have been reluctant use 600 grit lapping compound because I’m afraid the grit will impregnate into the brass parts.

The question is should I put lapping compound into the action and cycle till smooth?
 
Don't put lapping compound anywhere. If you have to lower the rifle to cycle there's something seriously wrong. Parts may be missing or broken. That's not likely though, since it'll cycle when down. Have a look at an exploded drawing before you do anything else.
 
There's nothing missing or broken when closing with or without a cartridge the last 1/2" takes a very hard squeeze, its getting better still annoying
 
its not clear whether you did in fact take the gun apart OR whether you TRIED but were unable to take it apart. Also, was the action stiff when you got the gun or only AFTER you had taken it apart? The first and easiest thing to do will be to take the action apart - check for any parts improperly installed or damaged, then re-assemble. Unless you are thoroughly familar with the '94's (old or new) you should be following some good dis-assembly/re-assembly instructions as each of the variations have their own unique idiosyncrasies!
 
The short throw 94 is entirely different from say a 30-30 94, it is a stiffer feeling action and more things have to happen in the last 1/2" of bolt closing. IF the action feeds and fires correctly now, then yes a little 1000-1500 grit lapping compound will help. BUT you must be willing to strip the entire action down afterwards and flush with Brakeclean, lube up each internal part with light gun or sewing machine oil reassemble and try again. It may take 3 or 4 of these sessions to get it smooth.........don't over-do it on a single session, it's better to quit too soon than too late.............
 
The whole receiver is brass

I dismantled and polished all the internal parts the resistance I'm feeling is the extractor spring, if I take the bolt and press the extractor against a hard surface its very hard to compress the spring I guess its the nature of the beast.

After polishing and lubing its much smoother now.
 
bat119 said:
The whole receiver is brass

I dismantled and polished all the internal parts the resistance I'm feeling is the extractor spring, if I take the bolt and press the extractor against a hard surface its very hard to compress the spring I guess its the nature of the beast.

After polishing and lubing its much smoother now.
Click to expand...

The receiver is actually just brass plated with a thin layer of brass for appearance, I don't remember if the inside is plated as well, but I doubt it.............
 
Yikes!

That's an impressive gold plating job Winchester did on these guns even the internal surfaces of the receivers and trigger piece really looks like it was made of brass the tool marks were most convincing. Failed the magnet test
IMG_0389640x480_zpsa92fed2a.jpg
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