Winchester 9410 shotgun loading problem

[Sam56]

Hi again everyone
Since I bought my 9410 and I am having problems with loading more than one shell if I let the loading gate close.
I have to always keep the loading gate open to load all shells.
Any suggestions?
Appreciate your feedback.

Thanks

[barbarossa]

I think it could be a combined problem of a strong magazine tube spring and the blunt ends of the 410 shell

[barbarossa]

I think it could be a combined problem of a strong magazine tube spring and the blunt ends of the 410 shell

[jeepnik]

First thoroughly clean it, paying attention to the loading gate area. Check for burrs on the loading gate where it would contact the shell in the tube. Buy a replacement spring, never know the original could just be out of spec. It would also give you a chance to maybe lighten the spring and still have the original if you goof up.

I had a similar problem with my Marlin 1895 GS when new. Cleaned all the factory gunk out of all the nooks and crannies and the entire operation improved. Loading issues disappeared.

[Sam56]

Thank you all.
I will try your suggestions.

Thanks

[Nath]

You load it with your hand wrapped around the floor plate so your little pinky holds the half or 3/4 loaded cartridge against the receiver. Then you push that same one in with the next cartridge and repeat the process.
You only push the last one in completely.

[Nath]

Like this.

IMG_20220706_202430.jpg

[Malamute]

Earlier 94s generally had no problem loading more rounds in. Pre-64s were better than post, pre-war better than post-war.

I started looking for reasons, the 1927 carbine loaded slick as can be regardless of how many rounds were in the magazine already. Comparing loading gates, the later ones were rough on the back, older ones slick. I polished the back of the gate in the area shown in the image, it ramps the rim of the existing round forward so the next round can push the gate open. It helped significantly.

One other part that suffers in later versions, all the internal parts are rough compared to older ones, the front edge of the lever needs to be polished also to take advantage of one of the reasons I prefer winchesters over marlins and one I use quite a bit. My guns usually live magazine loaded, chamber empty, when dog walking in snake season or expecting a shot on small game with something like a 30-30, I slip a round ball or 115 gr cast load into the chamber. After firing the small game load, or when getting back in a vehicle or back in the house or around other people, I empty the chamber and leave it empty or reload with another small game load. Ejecting the chambered round or empty, then pushing the carrier (lifter) down with the little finger and closing the action. the slick front on the lever encourages this to work smoothly, or at least with much less effort, sometimes it requires a couple wiggles to get it pushed all the way back into the magazine and bolt closed. Not shown in the picture is polishing over the small bump at the top end of the slick spot also helps the last bit of bolt movement. Deburring/polishing the length of the rib on the back of the loading gate, as seen in first picture, also helps in this regard.

94 loading gate back 2.jpg

94 lever polish area.jpg

I havent bothered with trying to not push the round all the way in when loading in decades, its just not needed when the gun works correctly, and Ive had several instances of several of the rounds in the magazine spitting back out the gate when doing it. Other models seem to load much smoother/easier, like 1886, 92 and the 1873 in particular.

[Sam56]

Thank you Malamute for your detailed explanation.
I think it's the back of the loading gate catching the shell and preventing the gate from opening again.
I will try the smoothing of the loading gate when I get to disassemble the gun.
Thanks again for everyone.

[Malamute]

Thank you Malamute for your detailed explanation.
I think it's the back of the loading gate catching the shell and preventing the gate from opening again.
I will try the smoothing of the loading gate when I get to disassemble the gun.
Thanks again for everyone.

It can be done without taking the gun apart, the only real point to be careful of is getting the screw started in the threads without cross threading it. It can be done, its just a bit fiddly to get it straight since the curve of the spring tries to frustrate you. It can go from several minutes of questioning if it is possible to suddenly "oh, there it goes". Sometimes having the front end of the gate out the hole works to get the first thread or two started, sometimes not....all in the same attempt. there may be voodoo involved, not sure, just that once it goes you wonder what the big deal was. Just dont force it. A small handled screwdriver, or just the extension of the chapman set with the tip in it, gives enough torque to start it without hurting it and feel the threads take cleanly.