Log In
Members
Home
Add Reply
Add Topic
Offline
I have an old basic round barrel 1892 Winchester in 32 WCF with a feeding issue that I’m hoping someone can help me with. It has a good bore and is fairly accurate, so I’d like to get it working correctly. When I lever forward slowly the lifter doesn’t completely rise up. If I lever fast forward with authority the new unfired cartridge flips out the top just as a spent casing would. I totally disassembled the rifle, cleaned everything, lightly oiled all parts and reassembled it thinking a thorough cleaning may help. This is the first time I did a complete takedown, that left cartridge guide and flat spring were a challenge to reinstall. There must be a secret for getting that into place more easily. Anyway, same problem with the feeding so thought I see what some of you experts think I should look at or replace. Thanks in advance for any advice.
Brett,
I was having a similar problem with an 1892 .218 Bee involving the cartridge carrier (lifter), but in my case the carrier would not raise high enough. I found that the tab on the back of the loading gate was contacting the machined cutout slot on the right side of carrier. The slot is there to allow the carrier to pass the loading gate tab as it moves up and down. I loosened the loading gate screw a couple of turns, which provided the needed clearance (<0.005″) for the carrier to pass the loading gate tab without interference. Other things to check are the carrier stop and spring on the left side of the carrier; the two carrier pivot pin screws, which can be worn; and the carrier’s pivot pin holes, which can also be worn.
Thanks,
Gus
Thanks Gus, I’ll take a look at that. What I don’t understand is why the lifter throws the live round out like your ejecting an empty. When the lifter lifts the new cartridge what stops it so the bolt moving forward can chamber the new round? I guess the lifter is snapping up with enough force to cause the ejection. I reload and shoot many of my old Winchesters. This is my first real attempt at gunsmithing. Lots to learn. Thanks again for your reply.
Brett,
My 1892 .218 Bee uses the same small caliber cartridge carrier and cartridge guides as the .32-20/.25-20. The spring loaded cartridge carrier stop on the carrier’s left side should catch in an round indention in the left cartridge guide as the lever is cycled forward, raising the carrier. The carrier should distictively snap upward and downward as the lever is cycled. The carrier should not be able to freely move on it’s own, without the aid of the lever. If it does, I’d say the cartridge stop spring is probably broken or the stop itself is frozen in the carrier in it’s retracted position. The spring sits behind the cartridge stop on the left side of the carrier and is serviceable by removing a small pin, which you should be able to see looking down on the carrier. I’m speculating that with an inoperable carrier stop, when you cycle the lever with authority the carrier may be bouncing up and hitting the right cartridge guide rail with enough momentum to bounce your live round. If the carrier stop is functioning, the carrier stops just short of contacting the right cartridge guide rail. Please let us know what you find.
Thanks,
Gus
Gus, I just ordered a Disassembly Manual, cartridge stop spring, carrier stop and spring. Once received I’ll take it apart again to see if I can figure out the problem. I’ll be glad to keep you apprised on what I find out. I’ll take another look at it again this week and compare with a good operating 25-20 TD I have. May not be until next week that I disassble it again.
Thanks again for your help.
Brett
Hello again Gus. Ordered parts arrived a week ago and I finally had time to work on this ejection issue. Nothing I did helped after disassembling twice and double checking everything. The carrier stop at the front of the left guide has a good spring action. When moved to the left it springs back to the right just as my 25-20 does. The carrier can only be moved with the lever. The cartridge carrier stop spring in the carrier is strong. I’m not sure what to do next. I also have to assume the parts in this rifle are the original and not been changed over the years. I believer the same guides are used in the 25-20 and 32-20 but are different from the big bore 38 and 44. I took a few pictures but have no idea how to attach them. Any more ideas for me other than finding a knowledgeable Winchester gunsmith?
Brett
Brett,
Sorry your still having problems. I sent you a PM yesterday evening.
Thanks,
Gus
Have you checked your cartridges (OACL, etc.)? Seems like I found the same issue on one and it was the cartridges that were causing the problem–I think, its been a lot of years ago.
Reference photos below:
Bolt Assembly (Left, large caliber / Right, small caliber)
Bolt Assembly (Top, small caliber / Bottom, large caliber)
Carriers and cartridge guides (Top, small caliber / Bottom, large caliber)
Carriers (Left, large caliber / Right, small caliber)
Levers (Left, large caliber / Right, small caliber). Note the spur shape/size, and milled inlet (both sides on the small caliber lever)
Chris
1892takedown @sbcglobal.net ......NRA Endowment Life Member.....WACA Member
"God is great.....beer is good.....and people are crazy"... Billy Currington
1892takedown said
Have you checked your cartridges (OACL, etc.)? Seems like I found the same issue on one and it was the cartridges that were causing the problem–I think, its been a lot of years ago.Reference photos below:
Bolt Assembly (Left, large caliber / Right, small caliber)
Bolt Assembly (Top, small caliber / Bottom, large caliber)
Carriers and cartridge guides (Top, small caliber / Bottom, large caliber)
Carriers (Left, large caliber / Right, small caliber)
Levers (Left, large caliber / Right, small caliber). Note the spur shape/size, and milled inlet (both sides on the small caliber lever)
Chris
Chris,
Would it be safe to say that all that would be needed to change a 92 from a 32-20 to a 25-20 and vice versa is just a barrel swap? Nothing would need to be changed or “smithed” to fire a round after said barrel swap? I aske because i have a 92 frame small caliber that i have all the internal parts for. Cant decide to make it a 32 or 25.
Manuel
Manuel,
You can swap between a 32-20 or 25-20 barrel at your choice using the same small caliber receiver/parts/tube. With the large caliber receiver/parts/tube, you can change between 38-40 and 44-40 barrels.
I would opt for the 32-20, one of my favorites to shoot.
Chris
1892takedown @sbcglobal.net ......NRA Endowment Life Member.....WACA Member
"God is great.....beer is good.....and people are crazy"... Billy Currington
1 Guest(s)
