
Hi All,
First time poster here. I just purchased a pre-64 Winchester 94, .32 Winchester Special. The carbine was manufactured in 1961. When I attempt to load a cartridge, the loading gate does not depress fully. The bottom of the gate is catching the top edge of the carrier. It appears to me the carrier is not fully retracted because with the gate partially opened, I can insert a small punch and push the carrier downward just enough to get the gate fully depressed. Does this sound like a carrier spring issue? I intend to disassemble the gun and clean it up to see if decades of gunk might be the problem but if that falls short, is replacing the carrier spring a good next step? Thanks.
Randy, welcome to Winchester World! Here’s a video that really helped me with my 1954 Model 94 30-30. I took a plastic compartment box from Harbor Freight and labeled all the screws and pins before disassembly. You’ll need a set of hollow-ground screwdriver bits (Check Brownell’s for @ $11.) and a couple pin punches. You don’t need to take the magazine tube off, nor the front and rear barrel bands. Gooood luck! Just take your time with the screwdriver…

Thanks for the welcome and the video link. I actually viewed that video already to help another Winchester 1894 rifle owner get his firing pin replaced and rifle good to go (circa 1899 model). It is very well done. Regarding my issue, I got everything out of the receiver and I did discover the carrier spring is worn, or damaged, at the peak and is no longer triangular, but rounded. I have a new one ordered and I have a hunch that’ll do the trick.
I do have a follow-up question — are the carriers in the pre-64 model 94’s the same for both .30-30 and .32 Win Spl?
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