Gunsmith for old Winchester lever action rifles

[Tank245]

As the title would suggest, I am in search of a gunsmith in preferably the Central Oregon area that knows about Winchester model 94s. I recently picked up a Winchester 1913 Model 94 in 30-30 at a pawn shop for a pretty decent price as my S/O loved the patina and feel of the rifle, however it was so dirty the gun would not function (i've cleaned belt fed M2s after thousands of rounds that were not as dirty as this 94, I was pretty shocked) after cleaning and reassembling the weapon, I discovered the lever will not cycle completely. It will cycle slightly, but will not even cycle back far enough to cock the hammer back. It just suddenly stops as if something is pinching or binding on something. I also cannot get the ammunition door on the side to open far enough to insert a round of ammunition into the magazine. I have a feeling it has something to do with the ammo lifter, but I honestly do not know.

Any help would be appreciated! i'm an AK guy, Old Winchesters are definitely not my area of expertise.

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[Mikej]

As the title would suggest, I am in search of a gunsmith in preferably the Central Oregon area that knows about Winchester model 94s. I recently picked up a Winchester 1913 Model 94 in 30-30 at a pawn shop for a pretty decent price as my S/O loved the patina and feel of the rifle, however it was so dirty the gun would not function (i've cleaned belt fed M2s after thousands of rounds that were not as dirty as this 94, I was pretty shocked) after cleaning and reassembling the weapon, I discovered the lever will not cycle completely. It will cycle slightly, but will not even cycle back far enough to cock the hammer back. It just suddenly stops as if something is pinching or binding on something. I also cannot get the ammunition door on the side to open far enough to insert a round of ammunition into the magazine. I have a feeling it has something to do with the ammo lifter, but I honestly do not know.

Any help would be appreciated! i'm an AK guy, Old Winchesters are definitely not my area of expertise. View attachment 977673View attachment 977674

The only smith I know to recommend is our member @Velzey "Copeland Custom gun Works" https://www.copelandgunworks.com/ but he's just outside Estacada. I do know he has had quite a few people over the years ship guns to him for work. I've had work done by him, and many others too. All quite satisfied with price and work quality. Note that Tim is quite busy usually.

Good luck with that nice old rifle. Wish I had one. I do have an m94 in .357 dated to late '80s- early '90s. Getting them aprt and back together take some learning. I did mine ONCE!

 

[RVTECH]

Old Winchesters are definitely not my area of expertise.

They are mine!

I'll be PMing you with some specific questions.

 

[oremike]

Tim Copeland would be a good choice, as would Bob Swearingen in Cottage Grove he's open Thurs-Sat from 9 to 5 (541) 942-8880

 

[Mikej]

They are mine!

I'll be PMing you with some specific questions.

AH! I should have known you'd pop in here! I'll bet YOU can put that lever and all those other parts hooked together back up in one of those model 94s! Correctly.

 

[CountryGent]

Ditto @Velzey. He does great work. (It would be great for another vintage '94 was running again.)

 

[RVTECH]

I'll bet YOU can put that lever and all those other parts hooked together back up in one of those model 94s! Correctly.

Thanks for the positive enthusiasm!

I am confident I can help the OP with his Mod 94 and have it runnin' like a song soon!

And if he plans on reloading for it I was given about 500 pieces of .30-30 brass today by a neighbor so I can pass some of that along to him as well!

 

[Tank245]

Thanks for the positive enthusiasm!

I am confident I can help the OP with his Mod 94 and have it runnin' like a song soon!

And if he plans on reloading for it I was given about 500 pieces of .30-30 brass today by a neighbor so I can pass some of that along to him as well!

Uploading photos here as it won't let me in pm.

 

[orygun]

These early 1894's are a little tricky, but with a little book guidance I took mine down to nothing but the barrel screwed into the receiver, gave it a thorough cleaning and put it back together again. Then I shot a deer.
Really nice Saddle Ring Carbine. Your wife has good taste.

 

[Mikej]

I am confident I can help the OP with his Mod 94 and have it runnin' like a song soon!

That's one "Holy Grail" gun that's on my list. A 94 in .30-30. But I have a specific preference for age, condition and price.

 

[Tank245]

Thanks for the positive enthusiasm!

I am confident I can help the OP with his Mod 94 and have it runnin' like a song soon!

And if he plans on reloading for it I was given about 500 pieces of .30-30 brass today by a neighbor so I can pass some of that along to him as well!

Here are some photos of the carrier spring we discussed on the phone.