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On my Great-grandfather’s 1873 .38 WCF rifle, DOM 1885, the carrier is slanting downward at its front. Cartridges hit their noses on the bottom of the chamber mouth. When the rifle’s barrel is tilted slightly downward, the cartridges chamber without a problem.
The carrier lever spring seems to be worn thin where it contacts the carrier lever. Could this spring be causing the sag? If not, what causes the carrier to slant like this?
We shoot this rifle often, and hunt with it.
I had the rifle apart, cleaning it. Did I not get the parts back in correctly, tightly?
This slant is odd. I’ve had the rifle apart many times over the past 50 years, and it worked well.
This is a common problem with the 1873 and 1876 model Winchesters. Most often, this is caused by a carrier arm that has a slight downward bend. It is an easy fix for those who are familiar with the mechanics of each of these models. If you’re not, I would suggest finding someone local who can help you. The fix is to put a very slight upward bend in the arm, at the end that has the knob on it, not the end that the screw runs through. Bend it from the middle of the arm, not the end. This will lift the carrier at the front end. I usually chuck it in a gunsmith vice with smooth jaws and hit it lightly with a brass hammer. You may have fit it and hit it a few times to get it where you want. Be gentle and it should work fine. If the spring has excessive wear, you may also want to replace it.
Tilt of the carrier is caused by wear of the front and back surfaces because its a soft metal . I have seen well worn guns where someone has soldiered a shim to the carrier to tighten it up or just built it up with soldier. The carrier arm only controls the height of the carrier at the top or bottom positions not the tilt of it. If you raise the carrier up all the way and hold it level and if that make it feed correctly then the carrier arm is good.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Thank you, Fellows.
I plan to hunt deer with it this season, so having it function properly will bring peace of mind to the hunt.
Carrying this rifle in the forest has been a life-time pleasure. It seems to add a touch more sweetness to my wanderings with the Spirit of the Woods.
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