Any models allow topping off magazine?

[ResJudicata]

I have a Winchester 94 in 44 mag that is a great gun. I really like it. But, it appears that I can't top off the tube magazine when rounds are in the mag. Because when the action closes the loading gate drops and lets a round come back on the loading gate waiting to be loaded.

Do any of the other tube magazine levers allow topping off the magazine when not fully empty?

Thanks,
Chris

BTW, great forum. I've been lurking here for quite a while and have learned much.

[Blaine]

Are you a lawyer, or Law Clerk?

[Rimfire McNutjob]

I'm not a 94 person, but I can "top off" my 71. I thought the 73, 92, and 94 could also be topped off but obviously there's an issue with the 44 Mag version. I'm sure the 94 experts will be by any second. Perhaps your cartridge stop is messing up?

[ResJudicata]

Are you a lawyer, or Law Clerk?

Lawyer.

Chris

[ResJudicata]

I'm not a 94 person, but I can "top off" my 71. I thought the 73, 92, and 94 could also be topped off but obviously there's an issue with the 44 Mag version. I'm sure the 94 experts will be by any second. Perhaps your cartridge stop is messing up?

I'll try it again with some dummy rounds. Could be me or just a burr in my gun.

Chris

ETA: Okay I looked at it again. It looks like the waiting round is back just enough to block the side gate a bit. I was able to get the gate open by wiggling and jiggling the round I was trying to get in. Should the waiting round be far enough forward so that the side gate opens easily or should the side gate have to push the round forward a bit to open?

[Hobie]

IIRC my gun now long gone, you just need to push in harder on the gate. I often topped it up when hunting ground hogs (yes, with a .44 Mag).

[Tycer]

One of my 357s had a burr on the inside lip of the loading gate that prevented topping off. I stoned a slight bevel and voila!

[ResJudicata]

IIRC my gun now long gone, you just need to push in harder on the gate. I often topped it up when hunting ground hogs (yes, with a .44 Mag).

Okay, so it sounds like I just need to use a bit more force. I can do that.

I'll check for a burr on the gate as well this weekend.

Thanks,
Chris

[AJMD429]

On my Marlin 1894's, Marlin 336's, and Rossi 92's, the loading gate pushes the 'halfway there' round forward a bit back into the magazine, when I push it in to add a cartridge.

It can be a 'firm' push if the magazine has very many in it.

I don't usually bother though; if I really needed "full magazine plus one", I'd leave the levergun at home and take a Mini-14 with a MWG 90-rounder.

[Malamute]

If you polish the rib on the back edge of the gate it helps with loading and topping off. I use a triangular ceramic stone, and deburr it at the same time. It takes a bit of care to get the screw started back straight in the gate tho, with the front edge inside the frame where it needs to be. Easy to cross thread them, as the gate is angled from it's spring tension until the screw draws it to the frame and flattens it out.

[J Miller]

If you polish the rib on the back edge of the gate it helps with loading and topping off. I use a triangular ceramic stone, and deburr it at the same time. It takes a bit of care to get the screw started back straight in the gate tho, with the front edge inside the frame where it needs to be. Easy to cross thread them, as the gate is angled from it's spring tension until the screw draws it to the frame and flattens it out.

Malamute beat me to the punch here. But what he says it spot on.
For a couple of my 94s that are a bit stiff to top off I just use the bullet on the next round and push straight in till the gate gives up, then I angle the round into the magazine.

Joe

[Blaine]

Are you a lawyer, or Law Clerk?

Lawyer.

Chris

Well, we settled that Res

[olyinaz]

Are you a lawyer, or Law Clerk?

Lawyer.

Chris

RUN fellers! Run fer the hills!!!

Just kidding. Welcome to the campfire!

Best,
Oly

[olyinaz]

Malamute beat me to the punch here. But what he says it spot on.
For a couple of my 94s that are a bit stiff to top off I just use the bullet on the next round and push straight in till the gate gives up, then I angle the round into the magazine.

Joe

Yep, That's what I do too.

Oly

[ResJudicata]

Are you a lawyer, or Law Clerk?

Lawyer.

Chris

RUN fellers! Run fer the hills!!!

Just kidding. Welcome to the campfire!

Best,
Oly

Thanks for the welcome guys. Even if I am a lawyer, at least I'm a shooter. It's a start.

Chris

[Blaine]

Are you a lawyer, or Law Clerk?

Lawyer.

Chris

RUN fellers! Run fer the hills!!!

Just kidding. Welcome to the campfire!

Best,
Oly

Thanks for the welcome guys. Even if I am a lawyer, at least I'm a shooter. It's a start.

Chris

I shall refrain from comments regarding what leverguns for sharks.... Actually, a good lawyer is hard to find, so welcome!

[BAGTIC]

On a few guns I have found that chamfering a bevel on the inside of the forward edge of the loading port helps the cartridges slip in easier without abusing my thumb.

[adirondakjack]

One more tidbit. Most leverguns have a more potent mag tube spring than is needed, especially if the mag tube is kept clean. A spring 3" longer than the tube, with the spring relaxed, is plenty, and allows for less a struggle to load rounds. Oh, I dunno you personally, but some folks who don't get much more exercize for the fingers than pushing a Blackberry around find top-off loading a pain, literally. If that's you, steal a racketball from the gym and commence to squeezing it a bunch of times.....

[C. Cash]

IIRC my gun now long gone, you just need to push in harder on the gate. I often topped it up when hunting ground hogs (yes, with a .44 Mag).

Yes...if you try mashing it a bit harder, should push the round already in the gun forward and allow you to put in the next round. Some seem to need a little wearing in to where you can load it smoothly. My Big Bore was like that. And Welcome!