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I have an 1873 Winchester and the carrier block isn’t rising high enough to chamber a round. The springs and lever catches are working fine and the riser arm is going just barely short of the top. Pushing up on the bottom of the carrier toward the action does not make it rise appreciably, but it does if I pushing up on the carrier on the chamber side. The arm isn’t bent, and I am also not sure a new carrier would help.
Any ideas?
When the carrier is in the down position is it flush with the bottom of the receiver? If it isn’t then the arm is bent or there is wear in the slot of the carrier from the arm. You can also have the outside of the carrier is worn so its rocking causing the it to point higher or lower from where it should be. If it is doing that you have a very worn gun. You can also have a problem with wear between the bolt and frame so the bolt is sagging. You can also have any and all combinations of all problem that by them selves are not bad but when you put them together it gives you the problem.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
The carrier is flush when the bolt is closed. The bolt will travel forward without any issue, but the carrier is not quite high enough to always allow the bullet to slide forward smoothly into the chamber. (Bullet hits the lower part of the chamber lip.) You can eject a cartridge fine.
How is the play between the carrier and the arm? When you push it up and down, how much play is in it? Can you rock it for and aft much? Did the gun feed before and just started to do this.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
No real play between the carrier and the arm. The only slop is at the front when the carrier is up, as the lifter is at the back of the carrier.
The only thing that I can think of is the arm is bent. I have bent them back and got them working but you can bend them to the point the the arm binds in the slot in the carrier. Did the gun feed before or is this gun new to you? What I do in feed problem is change out parts from my inventory or from a known good gun.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
1873man is on the right track. Since the gun is new to you I would first check the carrier lifter to see if it has been replaced. The 1866 lifter is very similar to the 1873 lifter but there are enough differences that the 1866 will cause the carrier block to jamb if used on a Model 1873. My second guess would be the surface on the carrier lifter and the finger lever that cam in order to lift the carrier block. If either is worn or disfigured it would cause a problem with correct lifting.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
A homemade lifter spring or a 1866 lifter spring could cause the elevator to stop below the chamber? Maybe substitute a original lifter spring or arm? T/R
Took it apart and took pictures of items (and a few measurements). Images are linked below. There is a little wear in the lifter tunnel, but still unclear what the issue is. 
Your picture links didn’t work but here is a picture of what it should look like with the carrier full up. Note that the top of the arm is up against the receiver frame. The lever will be in full contact with the arm just forward of the pivot point. If you want to send the pictures to me I can post them.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Here are the pictures from Sliderbot. Off hand I see a odd wear notch on the back lower part of the carrier on both corners.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
I have replaced the carrier spring also, but the arm does not come up firmly against the receiver frame. Therefore, it may be slightly bent.
That cutaway is great!
The best way to diagnose this is substitution of each part from a known good gun. If you buy a used part and try it you might be inheriting a problem. Feed problems are very difficult to figure out without having your hands on it.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
What is confusing is that it sets flush in the lower position but does not go high enough. If you bend the arm up then the carrier will be above flush in the lowered position. You should remove the carrier spring and then see if it will go up higher. Next remove the toggles. You need to find out what is keeping it from going higher.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
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