I just purchased a 1980's Winchester model 94 AE in 30-30. I bought it "used", but it does not look like its ever been shot. The gun was fairly stiff so I gave it some oil; now it is smooth. I have some Remington 150 grain core lock, So I loaded it up and when I cocked it the cartridge jammed to the point where I couldn't close the lever at all. I got the shell out then the next 4 ran smooth. Then the next one chambered, but not all the way and kind of bent upwards, all I had to do was #### it back a bit, then forward and it loaded. Do I just have to break the rifle in? What's the problem?
Winchester 94 jamming issues?
- Thread starter jrcarbine
- Start date
Yeah, I tried everything. Fast, slow, vertical and on its side.
They are those Remington core-lokt 150 grain sp round nose bullets.
Could be any one of a number of problems. Since you bought the rifle in apparently unfired condition....it is possible that over the years, whatever oil or grease that was inside the action has hardened and the resulting gunk is affecting the operation of the lifter. As you mentioned, after you oiled it, the rifle ran a lot smoother. Still, a complete strip down and thorough cleaning might be in order. Then, see how it runs.
If that doesn't solve your feeding issue, the first thing I would check is the loading gate screw. Is it tight? If loose, this can cause feeding issues. Next, the guide rails. Are they tight? The lifter, is it stamped? Pre-64's were machined. Post-64 were stamped metal. If so, the lifter may be worn or bent downward slightly. You may need to bend it slightly upwards to correct. Or replace it altogether. It bears mentioning that some of these areas can be checked while you have the rifle stripped down.
Slowly open the action. At the point where the bolt pulls the top of the lifter back, does the lifter snap upward, or lazily follow the bolt up? With the bolt open, push down on the lifter, with a finger. You should feel some resistance....then it should snap down. If the lifter does not snap up or down....then something is loose, broken, or worn. In which case, you might have to replace the lifter. Could also be the lifter spring.
While you have the rifle stripped down, examine all the working parts, and the inside of the receiver. Do you see any areas where the parts may be binding? Rough machined areas on the working surfaces, or metal fragments? These might just need a good stoning or polishing to get them working smoothly.
This pretty much covers the basics. I suspect the rifle is just gummed up and needs a good cleaning. But, there could be an issue with the lifter.
While you're at it, work the carrier up and down. You should see the carrier spring screw, on the inside left side of the action....opposite the loading gate. Does the carrier spring move? If so, the spring screw may be loose and will require tightening. You'll have to remove the loading gate to tighten it.
Best case scenario: It is likely the rifle just needs a good strip down and thorough cleaning. Since you bought it apparently unfired....it is possible that there is a lot of old, hardened oil or other gunk that may be affecting the rifle's operation. Hope this helps.
If that doesn't solve your feeding issue, the first thing I would check is the loading gate screw. Is it tight? If loose, this can cause feeding issues. Next, the guide rails. Are they tight? The lifter, is it stamped? Pre-64's were machined. Post-64 were stamped metal. If so, the lifter may be worn or bent downward slightly. You may need to bend it slightly upwards to correct. Or replace it altogether. It bears mentioning that some of these areas can be checked while you have the rifle stripped down.
Slowly open the action. At the point where the bolt pulls the top of the lifter back, does the lifter snap upward, or lazily follow the bolt up? With the bolt open, push down on the lifter, with a finger. You should feel some resistance....then it should snap down. If the lifter does not snap up or down....then something is loose, broken, or worn. In which case, you might have to replace the lifter. Could also be the lifter spring.
While you have the rifle stripped down, examine all the working parts, and the inside of the receiver. Do you see any areas where the parts may be binding? Rough machined areas on the working surfaces, or metal fragments? These might just need a good stoning or polishing to get them working smoothly.
This pretty much covers the basics. I suspect the rifle is just gummed up and needs a good cleaning. But, there could be an issue with the lifter.
While you're at it, work the carrier up and down. You should see the carrier spring screw, on the inside left side of the action....opposite the loading gate. Does the carrier spring move? If so, the spring screw may be loose and will require tightening. You'll have to remove the loading gate to tighten it.
Best case scenario: It is likely the rifle just needs a good strip down and thorough cleaning. Since you bought it apparently unfired....it is possible that there is a lot of old, hardened oil or other gunk that may be affecting the rifle's operation. Hope this helps.
- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
To the above, pretty much all the stamped metal garbage ended around 1971. Rifles since then have been fine. I suspect if it isn't just gum in the action, the problem is related to the cartridge lifter.
For some reason it's not rising all the way. This could be due to gum, or the cartridge guides interfering because they are loose, or even wear, depending on the lifter design. The originals lasted longer than most people lived, the stamped versions... well, they were stamped... the ones after that I'm not sure of.
For some reason it's not rising all the way. This could be due to gum, or the cartridge guides interfering because they are loose, or even wear, depending on the lifter design. The originals lasted longer than most people lived, the stamped versions... well, they were stamped... the ones after that I'm not sure of.
I had this problem a while back.
After replacing cartridge guides and carrier spring it turned out to be the loading gate. It wasn't loose but seemed to be bent in a smidgeon and spring seemed weak. Might not be your problem but it was mine.
On a slightly unrelated note. I would recommend never using froglube CLP in a lever, or anything else for that matter.
After replacing cartridge guides and carrier spring it turned out to be the loading gate. It wasn't loose but seemed to be bent in a smidgeon and spring seemed weak. Might not be your problem but it was mine.
On a slightly unrelated note. I would recommend never using froglube CLP in a lever, or anything else for that matter.
- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
Remington corelocks should feed with ease. i seriously doubt any factory ammo is your issue. BTW, my late 1971 version (not stamped) will even feed empty brass.
You may be onto something there. Have you tried cycling the rifle with other brands of ammo loaded with 150 grain bullets? It is possible that the Remington cartridge's bullet profile and overall length....combined with the angle of the rifle's feed ramp, is such that the bullet's nose deflects off the ramp at too sharp an angle upward, causing it to jam at the top of the chamber mouth. Is this what happens? You mention that your snap caps cycle okay. Measure their overall length, compared to the Remington rounds. Is there much of a difference? How about the "bullet" profile of the snap caps, compared to the Remington bullets. Is there much of a difference there?
Have you tried cycling rounds loaded with 170 grain bullets? It is possible your rifle may favour the length of these more. Or a bullet with a less tapered ogive. You might also polish the feed ramp. It is possible that the bullet's nose is snagging on some compacted dirt or oil on the feed ramp....hardened after years of being in storage. If so, it may just need a thorough clean and polish. I believe you said this only happens on the first round? Load up the magazine tube, then cycle the first round slowly. How does the way it feeds, compare to the rounds following it? Do you see a difference? If so, follow the feed path to see whether that first round is misaligned or catching somewhere early in the cycle, more so than the others. A bit of careful polishing of the front edge of the loading gate "spoon" may solve the problem.
It is also possible that the magazine spring is too long....exerting excess pressure on that first round and jamming it against the front of the loading gate. Do you get the same jam when fewer rounds are loaded? In which case, some careful trimming of the spring to reduce tension, may solve your problem. Sometimes a bit of careful sleuthing is all it takes. Or, as you suspect, it might just be the ammo. Hope this helps.
Have you tried cycling rounds loaded with 170 grain bullets? It is possible your rifle may favour the length of these more. Or a bullet with a less tapered ogive. You might also polish the feed ramp. It is possible that the bullet's nose is snagging on some compacted dirt or oil on the feed ramp....hardened after years of being in storage. If so, it may just need a thorough clean and polish. I believe you said this only happens on the first round? Load up the magazine tube, then cycle the first round slowly. How does the way it feeds, compare to the rounds following it? Do you see a difference? If so, follow the feed path to see whether that first round is misaligned or catching somewhere early in the cycle, more so than the others. A bit of careful polishing of the front edge of the loading gate "spoon" may solve the problem.
It is also possible that the magazine spring is too long....exerting excess pressure on that first round and jamming it against the front of the loading gate. Do you get the same jam when fewer rounds are loaded? In which case, some careful trimming of the spring to reduce tension, may solve your problem. Sometimes a bit of careful sleuthing is all it takes. Or, as you suspect, it might just be the ammo. Hope this helps.
Patrickosuave also suggests a possible culprit. I had a similar problem with a Rossi '92. The curvature of the loading gate spring was excessive, causing the rounds to jam, or double feed. The solution: replace the loading gate with a new one. The rifle runs flawlessly, now. I agree with John Y Cannuck.....those Remington cartridges "should" cycle just fine in your rifle. Could be yours is just finicky. More likely a feed path issue.
