Well I have several Winchester lever actions, but last weekend I finally got also one in .44 RM, the caliber of the very first handgun I obtained (and I still own that S&W Mod 29 with 8 3/8" barrel topped with a Leupold 4X EER).

This lever action in .44 RM is also an old one, pre-AE. But now I have a question: all my other Winchesters operate real smooth and this .44 does not. When you lower the jack, he seems to block as the bolt is touching the hammer, getting it difficult to the rear (and cocked). Same thing when you close: that last part up, when the handle is almost touching the safety, goes rather difficult. It seems that this vertical part that comes up to block the bolt is having a bit problems to jump over that gliding-track of the bolt.

I think this rifle, altough rather old, has not been used very often.

What shall I do? Just use it and hope things will become smoother? Change a little bit on that vertical moving part that blocks the bolt? And a little bit on the front/top of the hammer so that it's easier on the bolt?

Any advice on this?

Any pictures?

Are you sure it isn't just a strong hammer spring? And when closing the extractor riding over the case rim?

As Bushy said, maybe a strong hammer spring, but my gut is telling me that someone has had it apart and not put it back together correctly. If you know how to disassemble and reassemble a Model 94, pull it down and do a thorough inspection for wear and tear then reassemble carefully.

When you have is pulled apart, check all screws are in place and tight, also check the bolt guides for damage.

When I pull the hammer both the 30/30 and the .44 feel the same. And I was working the lever without ammo, so the rim is not the problem. Tefflon oil seemed to help a little bit.
And alltough everything looks rather clean inside, I'll disassemble it completely, clean and check all the parts (I even can take a picture when this helps )

Lester, it's just such an old Winchester with a ring on the left side, so you can fix a rope to it and not forget it somewhere standing against an old tree. So it's an old one, but not so old as the one without ring discovered standing to a tree for about 100 years

Had this one disassembled and cleaned and I even discovered what was 'wrong': it's an old virgin, very little marks of usage.
So I took some pictures to show (and specially for Lester I took some more pictures of other jackhandles even from the 22's and discovered that they urgently need to be cleaned or used of both).

So when Vince is still trying to become the best secretary of the year, some picture will appear some day.

And my .44? I smoothed some parts up and it's a great improvement. More use will bring extra benifits

So old "Virgins" can be loosned up :-)

Aloysius, you made me dig out my Win 94 in .44 Mag today. We're supposed to have a pretty weekend, maybe I'll take it to the range...

Maybe it was all those Cowboy movies as a kid but there is something about the look of the 94 that just says rifle. I sold one in 1970 for $25. I was on a ship at the time and the rifle was in the shore armoury. Never fired it even once.

And specially for Lester:
.22's, .22 WMR, 30/30 Win, .357 RM and .44 RM, all make me happy


One picture disassembled, the second indicating how little marking on the bolt and the hammer.

man that gun needs some USAGE.....heck you havent even worn the blueing off her yet!!!!!

Looks like the bolt stop is hitting the bolt off set a bit. It might behove you to hone the rounded part with a real fine stone. That just might help.