Hey folks, I'm turning to the knowledgeable can crowd with an issue. I've got a Win 94 in 30 30 that when in half #### the hammer will drop if the trigger is pulled. This rifle isn't mine and I don't know the year but it looks other wise in fantastic condition. I don't own one myself and I have zero knowledge of the internals of these rifles but my BIL asked me to take a look at it. Any ideas?
Winchester 94 Half #### Issue- Hammer drops when trigger pulled
- Thread starter Gunslingr
- Start date
You didn't specify whether the 94 is pre-64 or post 64. Assuming it might be a post 64 model i'll venture a guess.
Many parts and components of the early post 64 Winchesters were cast steel rather than machined Winchester Proof Steel. As such the sharp shoulders on triggers and sears have a tendency to lose their sharp edges and lose their holding power. I have no idea on your gunsmithing ability so I don't wish to be held responsible for any advise I give so I suggest a visit to a reputable gunsmith. The gunsmith may be able to restore the sharp edges on the trigger and sear or replace the parts and clean or repair whatever else may be causing the problem.
Many parts and components of the early post 64 Winchesters were cast steel rather than machined Winchester Proof Steel. As such the sharp shoulders on triggers and sears have a tendency to lose their sharp edges and lose their holding power. I have no idea on your gunsmithing ability so I don't wish to be held responsible for any advise I give so I suggest a visit to a reputable gunsmith. The gunsmith may be able to restore the sharp edges on the trigger and sear or replace the parts and clean or repair whatever else may be causing the problem.
- Location
- Western Manitoba
Go to winchester website and read the user manuals. Kind of important to properly identify the rifle. 1992 to 2002 has a cross bolt safety; after 2002 has a top tang safety. In both those cases, rifle has a "rebounding hammer", which replaces the "half-####" of earlier designs. If yours has a "half ####" that can be released by pressing trigger (why do that??), I'd be looking for a broken off half #### nose, or a bunch of grunge built up in the half #### notch, and to verify that the trigger stop "interlock" is working on the lever underneath the rifle. One good smack from dropping rifle onto half cocked hammer is all it takes to break those internals.
My Grandfather's 1958 Winchester had a similar problem. The way he described it, there were actually 4 hammer positions on that model. Uncocked, half cocked, half cocked safe and finally fully cocked. There were 2 distinct clicks when moving to half cocked safe and he was always sure to mention it when we had that one out.
- Location
- Western Manitoba
Because of this thread, I dug out my Winchester 94 - 7 digit serial number starting with 211, so should be a 1955. It is the third one that I have owned, but the last one left. From hammer in fired position, one click to half ####, then one more click when fully rearward in cocked position. In "half ####", it holds position when trigger pulled, whether interlock depressed or not, but I can see the hammer want to move very slightly rearward as pressure applied to the trigger. This rifle was fully disassembled, cleaned and lubed about a year ago, several "buggered" screws were replaced and it has not been fired since. The half #### system worked well for more than 100 years - no doubt someone thought to make a million dollars and sued Winchester so they invented the cross bolt, then top-tang safeties.
Appreciate all the responses. As stated this is not my rifle, and I do not know its age or providence. Right now I don't have an answer from my BIL and honestly idk if he is aware of the age, he's not a gun nut. I can say that this model does not have a cross bolt or top tang safety. My bet is on faulty internals like Rod suggested but with little knowledge of the internal workings I thought I'd ask. Also to Onies comment, this rifle has only two clicks on the hammer, one to half and the other to full ####.
^/^^ Unfortunately it takes only slightly more effort in half #### than fully cocked when the trigger is pulled. The rifle shoots well and obviously he's not gonna chamber a round, half #### it and go around pulling the trigger but the half #### is the safety mechanism so he'd like the rifle to function. Its getting pulled apart in the next day and we'll have a look.
The half #### is a safety mechanism that is supposed to stop the hammer from going forward if the rifle is dropped. You can take a wooden block and tap firmly on the 1/2 cocked hammer... if it remains 1/2 cocked it is safe to use.
Replacing the broken parts should ensure that operation ... in the 1/2 #### position the trigger should still not be pulled.
Replacing the broken parts should ensure that operation ... in the 1/2 #### position the trigger should still not be pulled.
