This is the original discussion,

Model 94 25-35 Action Locks up when fired | Restoration, Repair and Maintenance | Forum | Winchester CollectorWinchester Collector

Well, it has been over two years since we discussed this problem, which I may have finally resolved. This 94 Carbine, 25-35, was dropped off at a gunsmith in Jacksonville, FL, with the intention of having the barrel set back to clean up the chamber.

The gunsmith recommended replacing the barrel with a reproduction, but unfortunately (maybe quite fortunately) the barrel makers have gone out of business, so he turned the barrel back. Okay, I’m pleased, $270.00 is better than $800.00 and what was considered the issue has been eliminated.

Or was it? Went to shoot the 25-35 same problem. Using Winchester 25-35 factory ammunition as well as Hornady Leverevolution rounds, when the carbine is fired the action literally locks up. Shot it a second time, same results.

It is not the chamber, not the headspace, what is wrong with this Model 94, a rifle famous for always working, that the action is locked closed when using factory ammunition?

With this Winchester completely disassembled, the bolt is stripped, the friction stud is removed from the link. Nothing to interfere with or create any friction or spring pressure.

A factory round can be inserted into the chamber and the locking bolt articulated into and out of position by just using my fingertips. Okay. Using a deprimed, but not resized, fired case and the locking bolt can again be articulated in to and out of position using just my fingertips.

But with a fired case with the spent primer still in place the locking bolt cannot be pushed into place. With the lever and link installed the action locks up.

By sheer luck I am on eBay and there is a “New Listing” for a Model 94 locking bolt, but this one is unusual as it is marked -.003 and priced at a more than reasonable $11.95.

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With the -.003-locking bolt in place this Winchester functions, bolt will not close on a No-Go Gauge.

The only thing that makes any sense to me is that the breech bolt or the locking bolt has been swapped or inadvertently changed in this 94.