1892 Winchester 44-40 Cartridge Guide Issue|Restoration, Repair and Maintenance|Forum|Winchester Collector

I’ve posted about this rifle in the past. 1892 44-40 rifle manufactured in 1898.

This is a problem that has perplexed me for years now and I’m running out of reasons why it could be happening. When the lever is moving and the round is lifted by the carrier the round stops as it hits the cartridge guides. Backing the lever off and trying it again does no good. When I loosen the left hand cartridge guide screw about half a turn it will allow the round to proceed up towards the chamber. However, when the rear of the cartridge, the rim, hits the rear of the cartridge guides, I must stop and back off the lever ever so slightly slightly before proceeding and then the round chambers. I’ve gotten to the point where I can do this very quickly, half a second delay, but it is annoying to say the least. It means I have to constantly adjust a loose cartridge screw while shooting. This happens with snap caps and live rounds. I’ve said this before but it’s like a hitch in it’s giddyup. 

I have replaced the left cartridge guide spring with a Numrich part but everything else is original. By the way, when I replaced the guide spring I couldn’t see, or feel any difference between the two. Any ideas? Do the cartridge guides wear out? This gun is almost 130 years old but hadn’t been fired in at least 75 years, maybe more. It was well used and may be wore out. I love this gun and want to fix the lone issue with it. Thanks in advance.