Now that I have picked up my first model 94 I have a question. I noticed that if I don't work the action briskly, I stop on the down stroke before the lever lifts the cartridge lifter because it feels like I have gone full throw. Working the action slowly, once I get to the point where the lever moves the lifter, it takes a hard push to lift the lifter. Is this normal operation or is my gun a little stiffer than usual?

This gun is a 1957 model.

All the '94s I own, from 1911 to 1985 have that last little "snick" when the carrier is pushed up. It's not uncommon for the '94 action, some guns are tighter and stiffer than others.

Yepper, I second what DLS said.
What you are feeling is the bolt pulling the top of the carrier back causing the ^ shaped area to over ride the spring so the carrier can rise all the way up.

Some are stiffer than others, but they all have this to a certain extent.

Joe.

Sounds like my 1962 Mdl. 94. As nifty as the 94 is, it is not a silky smooth action design.

With a little practice you will forget about it. You just have to work the action very assertively, using a full stroke. When you take a dynamic approach to the operation of the 94 this will take care of itself.

If your particular carbine hasn't been used very much, you will see some improvement in the smoothness of the action the more you use it. The good news is that the design is tough as nails and failures (broken parts) are rare in my experience.

Now that I have picked up my first model 94 I have a question. I noticed that if I don't work the action briskly, I stop on the down stroke before the lever lifts the cartridge lifter because it feels like I have gone full throw. Working the action slowly, once I get to the point where the lever moves the lifter, it takes a hard push to lift the lifter. Is this normal operation or is my gun a little stiffer than usual?

This gun is a 1957 model.

Hey Guy
I have a 1958& 1959 model as well as two AE's that are four to five years old . When new they were stiff . As far as the older 94's go, one was a little sticky when the bolt engaged the hammer.
A good gun smith can polish the action to make it smooth.

With the older rifles some times a good cleaning is al that is required.
In Short ask some one that works on Winnie's. :D
Happy

Your 94 even though being of 1957 vintage probley hasn't had enough rounds run through it to smooth it up substantially. Also the 94s are not the smoothest functioning design in a levergun with it's 2 stage action as described by others. You have to work that action with conviction. This is one of the reasons why it isn't the most popular rifle in CAS (Cowboy Action Shooting), the action just can't be worked as quickly, and smoothly as the old toggle link action model '66, and '73 rifles that the winningest CAS shooters prefer. Wouldn't make any differance to the average CAS shooter though who's just out to have some fun. Here's a great article that you may find useful. http://www.time-slice.com/mohave.gambler/favorites/LeverGuns/Winchester94.htm

I love my 94AE in 357 mag, every levergun nut should own at least one Winchester.

Just purchased a WIN94 in 44 mag, it a half cock saddlering gun. Almost didn't buy it due to the fact, the action was so tight.

After further inspection, I noticed that the gun may not have been used much and the action was quite dirty.

Applied some penetrating oil on all parts, set it aside for a couple of days, then started to work the action with vigor.

Have seen a noticable change, so next it will taken down and throuhly cleaned.

Got it for a great price!

Wood is nice, no dings or scratches
Blueing about 100%
Metal Butt Plate
Serial No. 332XXXX
No pitting