big bore 94 ammo sticking in magazine.

[Rob Worsham]

I have a Winchester 94 big bore in .375. I have had it for 29 years, (bought new in 1981) and never had any problems until I had it rebarreled. I found .375 barrels at Numrich gun supply very reasonable and got one. After it has been installed the problem started. The rifle shoots great as new, but when cycling it gently, the rim of the cases stick on the edge of the reciever just where the mag tube sits on top of it. It appears as though the tube is not quite down against the reciever surface. It is perfectly alligned. Was there some minor variation in mag and barrel production that would cause this? I have examined many 94s and noticed that the barrels crowns may be a little shorter or longer from time to time. I am going to try a different mag tube but need help. This is not the common under the carrier jam, the rounds hit the edge of the reciever with the rim just where the tube is not touching.
thanks, Rob

[iceman]

Sounds like your mag tube is not quite in the right posistion. If memory serves there should be no gap and a smooth transistion between mag tube and receiver.

[J Miller]

What iceman said.

However I've had the same issue with my 85 vintage 94AE Trapper in .45 Colt. There was a definite ridge where the magazine tube met the front of the receiver. It caused the cartridges to hang up and that caused them to get caught half way out of the receiver onto the carrier.
It looked to me as if the hole in the receiver was too small and yet it has to be smaller than the mag tube because that is what stops the follower. If the hole in the receiver is the same ID as the mag tube the follower will scoot right out on top of the carrier and then you'll have a dozy of a jam.
So, I beveled the bottom of the hole in the receiver kind of like you'd throat a 1911 so the cartridge would slip over it, but I left the top and sides of the hole alone to act as the stop for the follower.
Been working like that for 25 years now.

AE 45 bevel at frame web.JPG

AE 45 down mag tube web.JPG

I really don't know if the magazine tube could be installed wrong. It's grooved at the top for the barrel band screws so basically it's mono-directional.
I also don't know if my "fix" is the correct one or not, it's just what I did to this one Winchester as I've never had this problem before.

Joe

[Rob Worsham]

my bevel is fine, no rough spots, but I looked at the old barrel, it is about 1/8th inch shorter distance to the groove for the front band screw and the hole for the end cap screw measured from the reciever out. The gap under the bottom of the tube is allowing the case rims to move over and hit the flat edge outside the bevel on the reciever. There is no other position to install. The tube has to be replaced or a barrel of correct length installed. I just wonder if it is normal for slight variation in barrel length during different production runs or something?? If it is, I can just find a correct tube. Thanks for all the help and photos, any more info is appreciated. My original barrel is just over 19 7/8 inches, the new one is just under 20 1/8 inches, all markings are the same, distances between slot and end cap screw hole is the same, just both are further from the reciever. This has me baffled after using this rifle for 28 years with no failures. Ill try to post some pics.
thanks,
Rob

[Nath]

How about finding some tube the same dimensions or get some turned on a lathe to fill the gap in with. The area degreased and the insert glued in.

It would have to be measured good to stop the plug as Joe describes!

This is fixable!

Nath.

[Griff]

Replace mag tube with longer unit that YOU fit to barrel. As I understand it, Winchester 94s were all hand fit, so small variances in parts are the norm, not the exception. A gap between the end of the mag tube and the receiver big enough to catch the cartridge rims would be exceptional IMO. But... outside of epoxying the gap, I don't see another way to fix the problem inexpensively.

[Malamute]

There have been good comments so far. Replacing the tube may be the simplest, and a new one may fit without any work. I've never had to fit a mag tube, your old one may have been shortened in original fitting for some reason, like the barrel was set back a turn perhaps?

If it were mine, I'd try a tube(I have a spare laying around). If that didnt work, then probably have a good welder spot-fill the mag cap hole in the barrel and screw slots in the mag tube, then refit them. A truly good welder can do that without even discoloring the blue.

Can you give a very precise length for the mag cap hole from the back end of the tube forward? I'll measure the spare tube I have and see if yours looks like it may have been shortened.

[Rob Worsham]

Thanks for all the help guys. You are right, the tubes were fit to the individual barrel length, new ones should be a little long to allow fitting. I was told by a friend that is a Winchester history maniac that the barrels could be anywhere from 19 3/4 to 20 1/4 inches from the factory. They started long and if the factory was not happy with the crown or the throat, they would remove until it was right. If it got under 19 3/4 (for carbines) they would toss it or make it into a shorter model. I will measure how long my tube needs to be in all areas so we can see if your spare will work.
Im just glad its as simple as a new tube!! They are cheap enough!! Rob

[Rob Worsham]

Oh yeah, Ill get that meseurment on Sunday.

[Rob Worsham]

I got the specs of my tube and what I need. The mag tube is 19 5/16" OAL. The measurement from the base of the tube to the front edge of the end cap screw hole on the side that faces the barrel is 19 1/8". This matches the measurement from the seating surface of the reciever and my old barrel cap srew recess hole. But, my new barrel has a measurement of 19 3/16 inches. And, yep, thats enough to let the case rim move over as it passes this gap.

[Nath]

So a 1/16th cut pipe of the same dimensions would cure it, easy fix.

N

[J Miller]

Or weld on a short extension and then custom fit it. The extension would be hidden.

Joe

[Rob Worsham]

Yep, It will fix easy, just need to know if a new tube is longer than mine? Can anyone see how long others are? That has to be it, Ive fired it at least 250 rounds a year since December of 1981 with no failure until I rebarreled. I don't know why this combo didnt sell better, it will blow a train tunnel through muleys, pigs, coyotes, whatever. My Dads best friend bought it for me on my 12th birthday, about 8 months after my Dad had passed away. He knew I wanted one. I will pass it to my son some day. And, yes it did kick the hell out of a 12 year old. And, no I didnt mind, I enjoyed it. The bruise was cool to show off, as well as the big emties and pics of game. Yes, I still like weapons that kick and are loud, not 22s!! Appreciated any measurement of other tubes anyone can give me.
thanks, Rob

[J Miller]

Rob,

I have a mag tube from a 94 I picked up from eBay some years back.

The measurements are:

Total length (not including mag plug): 19 ¼"
Distance from rear of tube to center of front band groove: 17 1/8"
Distance from rear of tube to center of mag plug screw hole: 19 1/16"
No rear band groove.

All measurements were done with a Stanley tape measure.

Joe