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October 22, 2022
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New to forum; I have a question. I have a Winchester 73-3rd model in 32-20. The lst time I worked the action, the bolt returns to closed with the toggle, but the firing pin does not. I cannot find a good schematic for it. Does it sound like the bolt is bad or the firing pin? I don’t want to disassemble unless I have a good idea what to look for. Any help is appreciated.
March 31, 2009
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Can you push the firing pin in with your finger?
November 13, 2008
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there is a little side notch on the firing pin that when installed in the breechbolt base a small side metal catch ( firing pin retractor) holds it in place, if this little piece is broken or missing your firing pin will do that. or it could be your firing pin is broken half way
Jeremy Scott.
WACA LIFE MEMBER, CFM MEMBER, ABKA MEMBER, JSSC MEMBER, MNO HISTORIAN
May 2, 2009
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Walter,
First with the action part way open and the hammer at full cock, grab the firing pin sticking out the back and move it in and out while looking at the bolt face. You should see the pin follow your movements. If it doesn’t, then you have a broken pin. The next thing to do is with the action again part open and hammer at full cock, put finger pressure on the firing pin holding forward and slowly move the action open. You should see the firing pin retract into the bolt face when you get close to full open. If it does not do this, then the retractor is installed wrong or the pin on the left toggle is not there.
The 73 does not have a spring loaded firing pin like later guns. Its free to float in the bolt and the retractor is the only thing that pulls it back when your about to feed a new shell in the chamber.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
May 2, 2009
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Here is a picture of my cutaway showing the retractor. The left toggle is not there.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
March 31, 2009
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Bob and Jeremy gave better info to diagnose the problem. I have had this happen only to find the firing pin was broken. Bought a complete bolt only to find the firing pin was broken in this one too.
