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On the model 63, to load the first round one must depress the operating sleeve which in turn pushes the bolt back making contact with the hammer to cock it. The contact point of the bolt where it meets the hammer is peened down to the point where the allowed travel in the op sleeve will not cock the hammer back. I made what I think is a temporary fix by making a spacer washer that sits between the end of the op sleeve and the bolt. There is a very fine line between what thickness of this washer must be to cock the hammer but still allow enough forward movement of the bolt so it will allow the firing of the rim fire cartridge.
I’m guessing the real fix would be to weld back some metal on the contact point where the bolt meets the hammer. Is this not the correct fix and who should I contact for a build up weld that I can fit and polish to proper over all length for proper contact and setting of the hammer?
I am assuming replacement bolts are like finding hens teeth.
David Whitmer (In Virginia)
June 5, 2015
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Homestead has one in stock. homesteadparts.com
Vince
Southern Oregon
NRA member
Fraternal Order of Eagles
“There is but one answer to be made to the dynamite bomb and that can best be made by the Winchester rifle.”
Teddy Roosevelt
I have to wonder why the bolt peened down to where the travel of the op rod would not cock the hammer?
Only things I could think of was:
Lots of use and this is typically what happens. But other parts show little to no ware.
Or heat treating of the bolt in 1950,purposely softer to protect the hammer from strikes. Or heat treating was not always consistently done.
Or the recoil spring spring was too weak and allowed too hard a hit on the hammer. (1950 spring)
So the million dollar question? Is the reason few bolts are available for the 63 is that that is the part going bad ?
What fixes are being done on your 63’s besides general maintenance?
June 5, 2015
Offline
None. Both my Winchester 63 have never needed anything but cleaning. The reason there are few parts available is not that they are in great demand . Winchester parts generally don’t come from factory, they come from people disassembly of poor condition gun to sell parts. There are not many model 63 needing parts so most poor condition examples are refinished and sold as “like new” guns. There are many unscrupulous people in the collectable gun arena.
Vince
Southern Oregon
NRA member
Fraternal Order of Eagles
“There is but one answer to be made to the dynamite bomb and that can best be made by the Winchester rifle.”
Teddy Roosevelt
