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I’ve recently done quite a bit of work for a customer who I later found out was a gun collector. This gentleman at one point had over 200 weapons. That being said; he was liquidating his inventory and I purchased 3 weapons in trade for work. I however know very little about them. First off, the three weapons I acquired are as follows:
1. Model 94 -.30 wcf
2. model 92 -25-20 wcf
3. 1873 .32 wcf.
I understand that the manufacturing of the 25-20 is very limited at best.
I have however managed to find .32 wcf rounds. The problem I’m having is that when I have loaded several rounds into the rod, the cartridges will not be pushed up into the chamber when the lever is racked. Leading me to believe they are not the right cartridges. Any information or knowledge given would be greatly appreciated on all 3 weapons.
Bryan Lamm said
I have however managed to find .32 wcf rounds. The problem I’m having is that when I have loaded several rounds into the rod, the cartridges will not be pushed up into the chamber when the lever is racked. Leading me to believe they are not the right cartridges.
Maybe the spring in the magazine tube is too weak or damaged. If the cartridges fit the chamber, they are correct.
November 7, 2015
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Welcome, Bryan. Feeding issues are difficult to diagnose remotely but if you’ll watch how things work while you cycle the action without ammunition you may notice something amiss. It’s possible the cartridge is not being lifted up far enough to line up with the chamber. If the round is a correctly marked factory round and can be pushed into the chamber with your finger it is probably the correct round but a closer inspection may be a good idea. Best case scenario your 1873 just needs a good cleaning and unless broken parts are observed that’s always the best place to start.
Mike
I assume your feed issue is with the 73. If the cartridges are too long or too short they will not feed. What is the overall length of the cartridge? and post some pictures of the cartridge.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
WEAPON defined (per Webster) – something used to injure, defeat, or destroy. I guess that’s all true. Hell, I just like to collect and plink.
foxfire said
WEAPON defined (per Webster) – something used to injure, defeat, or destroy. I guess that’s all true. Hell, I just like to collect and plink.
Which could include objects from screwdrivers to automobiles. Seems to be the term preferred by LE agencies–every kind of firearm they usually refer to as a “weapon.”
Bryan,
if you have problems postings pics you can email to me,
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
November 7, 2015
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foxfire said
WEAPON defined (per Webster) – something used to injure, defeat, or destroy. I guess that’s all true. Hell, I just like to collect and plink.
I have a long history in LE but I generally think of my collectible firearms as artifacts. Some could arguably be used as weapons today but I know what happened to Goliath when he went up against David’s sling. There’s a good chance I’ll no longer hunt with my old artifacts, the folks I hunt with prefer the quick death a high-velocity round generally provides. I’m somewhat proficient with modern weapons, I choose not to discuss them here.
Please excuse our new member’s choice of terms, Foxfire. I’d like to make him feel welcome here.
Mike
Bryan,
Here is the pic and your using the wrong ammo. The length is too short and a second shell is entering the elevator and causing the jam. You want 32-20 or its called 32 W.C.F. (Winchester Center Fire)
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
November 7, 2015
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Bryan Lamm said
Understood. My apologies
Don’t sweat it, Bryan. Firearms are weapons. Some of us prefer not to think of them that way but Winchesters didn’t win the West by lounging about in cabinets or display cases. I’d like to hear more about your Winchesters, feel free to ask if you have questions.
Mike
1873man said
You want 32-20 or its called 32 W.C.F. (Winchester Center Fire)Bob
That’s exactly what he called it in his first post. I’d bet he was told by the typical idiot sales clerk where he bought the .32 S&W that they were the same.
TXGunNut said
Don’t sweat it, Bryan. Firearms are weapons. Some of us prefer not to think of them that way but Winchesters didn’t win the West by lounging about in cabinets or display cases. I’d like to hear more about your Winchesters, feel free to ask if you have questions.
Mike
After deer season opens in my area, I often ask the members I run into at my range if they’ve “had any luck,” & a surprising number of them tell me they don’t hunt at all. If you shoot trap or skeet, I’m sure you’ve met many shooters who’d never dream of “inflicting harm” on an innocent bird. Ditto at small-bore matches. If you conducted a survey of Biathlon shooters, I doubt you’d find one in a hundred who’d ever drew down on any living creature.
The guns Bryan acquired were no doubt bought originally for hunting, not target shooting, so could qualify as “weapons,” but my point is that that term is so vague & ambiguous as to be almost meaningless. If you want to kill & injure as many people as possible in the shortest time, use your car, as that POS did in the Christmas parade a few wks ago.
Bryan,
I’m sure you understand what can happen if the wrong cartridge goes off in your gun when you cycle it. The other two calibers you listed have to be right also. I don’t know how many different cartridges there are but the wrong one can be deadly. T/R
Thanks for all your replies, fellas. I indeed did not fire a round after I realized the chambering issue. I bought these items for the sake of the nostalgia and sentiment behind them. I’d like to have ammo for them just in case. But they are more for the sake of having them rather then the actual everyday use.
Bryan Lamm said I’d like to have ammo for them just in case. But they are more for the sake of having them rather then the actual everyday use.
You deserve a refund for the .32S&Ws if you told the store you wanted .32WCF.
Bryan Lamm said
Thanks for all your replies, fellas. I indeed did not fire a round after I realized the chambering issue. I bought these items for the sake of the nostalgia and sentiment behind them. I’d like to have ammo for them just in case. But they are more for the sake of having them rather then the actual everyday use.
Bryan,
You own three very old guns that may or may not be in firing condition. If a firing pin is damaged or stuck when you “rack” the cartridge in, the gun will go off without the cartridge all the way in the chamber, not good… It the cartridge is of the wrong type as you “rack” it in the gun might go off without the cartridge all the way in the chamber, not good.. If the load of the proper cartridge is wrong the gun can blow-up when you pull the trigger. If you have experience shooting old guns then ignore my comments, if not get a gunsmith to inspect the guns and then buy the right cartridges. T/R
I’d have to agree. I’m currently getting ready to take all 3 to a gun smith for evaluation.
Welcome to the site Bryan, now the addiction kicks in. Your starting with a nice array of old Winchesters there, having not seen any pictures or descriptions, and some fun shooting. As for the term “weapons”, I personally classify any thing used as such, is such. I have a lot of firearms but only 1 weapon, the .38 2″ snubnose Detective that lives beside the bed. I also have some old percussion Colts that I know were weapons at one time. If You get the time post some pictures and ser#’s of Your Winchesters and the folks here will tell You all about ’em. They may also be eligable to get the “factory letters” from the Cody Museum. Lots of good information on the site so hang around and enjoy Your new acquisitions.
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
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