Sticky '94 (Moved from the original forum)

[John Y Cannuck]

My wife's 1948 Vintage '94 Winchester 30-30 has a problem.
It sticks on extraction.
Not a reloading problem, I can recreate the issue, by pressing rearward on the bolt with my fingers and trying to open the action.
Simply working the action without firing, everything is smooth.

I've had it apart down to the last screw, and I don't see anything wrong.
(Not my first '94)
Where should I be looking? I must be blind!

[J Miller]

John,

I had another idea. Check the lever to bolt pin screw. I had a 94 once that would hang up occasionally. We found out that the lever pin screw was too short and the pin would move into the screw hole and hang up.


Joe

[John Y Cannuck]

Yup, had that happen on an old '94 I was building up from parts, that time I had too short a screw in the hole. (Don't even think about that line ) But not this time.
I took it apart once more, and stoned the back of the bolt (Carefully), the
slides for the bolt stop, and a small nick on the front of the bolt stop. I think I feel an improvement. Have to go back to the range to check.
I just can't get over feeling it should be obvious. But I can't find it.

[J Miller]

I just can't get over feeling it should be obvious. But I can't find it.

I know that feeling. Been there many times. Usually it's so obvious you just look right at it and don't see it.

Hope you find it's problem.

Joe

[John Y Cannuck]

Well, to me, it didn't make any sense, but, the cartridge lifter spring was indeed the culprit, and all is now well. Thanks for your interest, and your help.

[Griff]

Interesting, was it loose, or was it not snapping the carrier down in such a fashion as to not allow the bolt to the rear?

It wouldn't have been obvious to me either.

[John Y Cannuck]

The end of the spring was about 50% worn away. I've never seen one that bad.