Winchester model 94 loading gate problem

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ronsnighttrain

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Orangeville Ontario
Hello all , I got a pre 64 model 94 and I took it apart for cleaning and am trying to put it back together and I can't get the loading gate back on. It is almost like the screw is now too short. Is there some kind of trick to get it on or am I just too blind to see what's going on. This is my first time working on a lever rifle.
 
Just a lot of dicking around getting the screw back in. The back of the gate must not be fully down in its recess in the receiver if the screw seems too short. It is absolutely not necessary to tear the 94 down for cleaning and usually leads to headaches. Most levers you can simply open the action, hold the rifle over some newspapers and spray a good aerosol cleaner down through the action. When dry, lubricate the action again.
 
For the most part, the above is true, and you certainly don't need to remove the loading gate, or cartridge guides.
However older rifles can get crudded up after many years of use, and need to be stripped, and brushed out with solvent and a toothbrush. Otherwise they can get sticky.

Loading gate, yep, it's a tad of a trick. You need to get the spring flat against the inside to start the screw. Best done before you put the rest of the guts in.
 
I have said on here for amateurs not to take the old '94's apart to clean. This results in being told I have no mechanical ability!
But I have heard gunsmiths tell of how many old 94 Winchesters they have received, along with a shoe box of parts! I have also assisted a gunsmith in putting them back together.
I have the best proof anyone could get, that it is not necessary to take a 94 apart to clean. I have a 94 in 30-30 made in 1912 and purchased new by a ranching family. It spent its first 80 years of its life as a working rifle on the ranch, and I bought it a couple of years ago from the last extended member of the ranching family. I also got with it a very well used scabbard.
The stock of the rifle shows lots of use, there is virtually no bluing left, but there is also no rust. The bore was a bit dark, but it cleaned up to shiny and is an excellent shooter, with the action as smooth as any 94.
And here is my point.
Every screw the rifle ever had is still in place and not a screw has any mark or mar on the slot, from being taken out with farm type screw drivers. A larger screw on the tang has a mark on it, as it looks like the rifle once had a tang sight.
To me, this is proof the rifle was never taken apart. It obviously must have been kept oiled and looked after, as it didn't collect rust, anywhere.
 
Agreed, that they can take a lot of crap, however, I had to strip one at hunt camp about two years ago, because it had become too stiff to operate easily. What I removed was like clay. It did not respond to anything other than brute force and scraping.
Years of Fudding I think. (Take hunting, don't even fire, put away in closet uncleaned)
It's date of construction from what I remember, was similar to yours. It was the guy's grandfathers rifle.
Once cleaned, it's probably the smoothest '94 I've ever handled.
 
Even then, I did not take down the bolt, simply removed the bolt, cartridge lifter, hammer and lever assy, and cleaned out the grooves and slides on the receiver, and other parts. I also removed, and cleaned/oiled the magazine spring, and follower.

After you've had these rifles apart a few times, they really are not hard at all. I probably could do this much blind folded. But the first few times may have a newbie pulling hair.
 
It is a good idea to clean the mag tube. This is where I've found crud that affects feeding. Never taken my 94 apart as it was a well cared for safe queen, 50s model. But my 444 was dirty in the mag tube from years of use.
 
That gate is a pain - but if you persevere you can get it in (Mike C has it right - press the spring flat and start the screw - I think I put that piece in first when reassembling - you have a bit more room to get your fingers in behind). I read some posts in this thread about not stripping and cleaning them but I always like to thoroughly clean a 'new' 'old' gun (at least I know where I am starting from). So all in all, not difficult - just a bit fiddly.
 
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