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Cycling a Model 94
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September 30, 2023 - 1:10 am
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Greetings everyone,

Does anyone have an opinion as to how many times a Model 94 can be cycled before it’s action will begin to fail?

Asking for no particular reason aside from curiosity of opinions. 

-Mike 

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September 30, 2023 - 1:03 pm
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[email protected] said
Greetings everyone,

Does anyone have an opinion as to how many times a Model 94 can be cycled before it’s action will begin to fail?

Asking for no particular reason aside from curiosity of opinions. 

-Mike 

  

I assume you are referring to merely cycling the action versus firing the gun every time it is cycled?  I think there would be a difference in the outcome.

Like many other rifles, actions become smoother the more they are cycled.  It’s simply a matter of a very small amount of wear (metal on metal) occurring as the parts rub against each other during each cycle.  During the course of time, the action becomes smoother which is is usually experienced by the shooter as desirable (vs. working a stiffer action).  Many shooters and gunsmiths will accelerate this process through smoothing and polishing internal parts.  This is typical among cowboy action shooters who want a very smooth action.

As the action gets smoother through time, and a lot of use occurs during this time, your question is when will it actually fail?  I have seen actions that have been worked so much that the lever will fall open rather than lock in place.  In those cases, I’ve seen the shooter merely holds the lever closed when the gun is fired (which is the natural shooting position anyway).  

Back to my clarifying question, if the gun is fired every time the action is cycled, eventually excessive headspace could occur.  If the action is merely cycled, I don’t see excessive headspace developing.

Interesting question.  Perhaps those here with more gunsmith-savvy than me can weigh in.

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September 30, 2023 - 10:52 pm
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steve004 said

I have seen actions that have been worked so much that the lever will fall open rather than lock in place.  In those cases, I’ve seen the shooter merely holds the lever closed when the gun is fired (which is the natural shooting position anyway). 

Common among certain models of Stevens SSs & not regarded as a major problem. Shooters who have one of these do just as you described. Block & lever of my oldest Stevens Favorite will “open itself” when I let go of the lever.

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September 30, 2023 - 11:45 pm
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Browning had a tendency to build things much sturdier and stronger than necessary. Failures are generally attributable to abuse rather than normal wear. I don’t think I’ll live long enough to wear out any of my Winchesters and in some cases several generations have already tried. I’m sure it can be done but most will never wear out, at least not in our lifetimes.

 

Mike

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October 1, 2023 - 5:28 am
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“Common among certain models of Stevens SSs & not regarded as a major problem. Shooters who have one of these do just as you described. Block & lever of my oldest Stevens Favorite will “open itself” when I let go of the lever.”

  Clarance the stevens favorite is a very simple action.  Depending on the model I will use the 1915 as an example the finger lever is held in place by a spring and plunger that is actually in the extractor.  The plunger pushes against the block screw and gives the finger lever tension to stay closed.  If yours is dropping open the plunger is missing or the spring is broke.    Someone gave me one to fix recently and the extractor which houses that spring and plunger had broken out the side.   The spring had come out of the side of the extractor and the plunger was gone.   Homestead parts has parts for the favorite.  
Sam 

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October 1, 2023 - 12:14 pm
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[email protected] said
Greetings everyone,

Does anyone have an opinion as to how many times a Model 94 can be cycled before it’s action will begin to fail?

Asking for no particular reason aside from curiosity of opinions. 

-Mike 

  

  I have no experience with the later 94’s but do have a working knowledge of the Model 1894 and the levers Winchester made before it. The actions failed because of dirt, black powder, rust, lack of lubrication, and poor ammunition. These issues can be controlled by the owner and have very little to do with the number of cycles. T/R   

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