New to forum. Questions about model 94.

[jdt]

I am new to this forum but look forward to gleaning some wisdom from you all. I have always loved leverguns and currently own three.

I have a specific question about my latest acquisition, a late model Winchester 94 AE Trapper in 45 colt.
It has the dreaded "round under the carrier" problem. From my reading it seems to be fixable (I'd like to replace the link, the cartridge stop is clearly worn). My concern is that all the internet sites I have been to describe a screw connecting the link and finger lever. Mine seems to be a pin. However It appears the pin is press fitted and I'm not sure I can get it out without damaging something.

Does anyone here have experience with this connection? Can it be removed by a layperson such as myself or does it need to go to a gun smith? Do I need to replace the entire link/lever assembly?

Thanks in advance.

[Tycer]

The screw in the bottom of the link retains the pin.

[jdt]

I was referring to the pin that connects the link to the finger lever about two thirds of the way back on the link.
I did find the screw you are referring to since it appears to be the only way to remove a round from under the carrier.

[J Miller]

JDT,

There are two designs of links.

The first with a screw at the front and the second with a cross pin and a small retaining screw.
The second type is actually a return to the design they used in the pre-64s.

Both of these use a pin for the lever to pivot on. That pin simply comes out with a punch and a hammer. Then goes back in the same way. They are directional, one side has ridges to lock it into place. Look carefully and tap it out from the other side.

Winchester / Browning has the parts you need.

Joe

[jdt]

Thank you both for the prompt replies.

Just to be sure, J Miller, you said to push out the pin from the side without ridges, or should I push it out from the side with ridges, pushing it away from the ridges? The answer is probably obvious, but I'd hate to mar an otherwise beautiful gun!

[Nath]

Could you get it built up with weld and grind it back to shape?

To add to Joes post (he knows 94's blind folded) when your drifting the pin support it say with a socket from a wrench set and let the pin drift into the socket.

N.

[J Miller]

Push it out from the oposite side of the ridges. You really don't want to drive the pin all the way through the link.

I've had this same problem fixed years ago on a post-64 30-30. The gunsmith laid the cartridge stop on the edge of the anvil and peaned it to stretch it. Then he reshaped it. Never had another bit of trouble with that 94.

Joe

[pwl44m]

Lest We forget "WELCOME" U started out pretty good with a Gun question and a Levergun at that, !BUT! Whars the pics of that shootin iron ? huh huh. But Griff won't be laughing.
Perry

[jdt]

Update: I bought and replaced the link. J Miller's post was right on with the link pin.

Took it to the range for the first time yesterday and...round under the carrier jam. After about three more attempts with the same results, I noticed that the semi-wadcutters I was using seemed to be hanging up in the carrier. Turns out they were too long. I shot some other ammo I had (a 300 gr truncted cone over 24 gr H-110) which had a much shorter OAL. Functioned flawlessly! In fact, the gun is an absolte pleasure to shoot!

So, thanks Leverguns.com! Couldn't have done it without ya!
Well worth the dues (which are zero, but even if there was a fee, it would still be worth it)

i look forward to hearing about and trying some new loads in my new friend.

Joel

[Pete44ru]

Yer mistaken, there are dues - WHERE's THE PICS ? ? (Pay up ! ) .





.

[Ysabel Kid]

Welcome aboard!

[Griff]

The front top of the link has a protrusion that acts like a cartridge stop to keep round in the magazine while the carrier is up. Sometimes, when working the action kinda slowly the carrier won't snap down, and a cartridge can slip under it. Like Joe said, stretchin' or adding some height to the stop will cure that. But, to get it just right requires several "test" fittings while you file it down. I used some hard-facing welding rod and went slowly till I got it right on my one broken .30-30. It's hard to file that stuff, but I figured if it worked on horseshoes for over a year, it'd work there also. (Yep, shod the same horse with the same set of shoes for over a year, pulled 'em off, trimmed hooves, flattened shoes, nailed 'em back on... looked as good the day I finally took 'em off as when I put 'em on!

Those pistol caliber mdl 94 Winchesters don't really like wadcutters or even most semi-wadcutters. The edge of the bullet gets hung up on the edge of the chamber... a little judicious champhering helps, but I think it's just easier to use a round flat nose or as you found a truncated cone bullet!

[J Miller]

Griff speaks in generalities of course, all of them are not that finicky. I've got one and only one 94AE in a revolver caliber, a Trapper in .45 Colt. It couldn't care less what's sticking out of the front of the case, it will feed it.

Now, I've heard from others that the late 60s and early 70s 94s chambered in .44 Mag either fed well or not worth a hoot.
The 94 AEs in 44 seem to be better than the older ones, but still somewhat more finicky than the .45s.
The 94 AEs in .357 Mag are the worst of the bunch. The cartridge is just too small for the action. USRAC put extra parts inside to compensate for this. Some work great, some stink.

I'm a fan of the 94 action, I like it far better than the 92, and have no problems with the concept of the shorter rifle and revolver cartridges being used in it. But it just doesn't lend itself to the smaller rounds like the .357 and Griff is right about bullets. All of the original short rifle cartridges had flat nosed bullets with rounded shoulders. RNFP. They worked very well in the 73s, and 92s and will work just as well in the 94s.

Joe