Is it true that the loading gate on a Winchester Model 94 locks if you push the shell all the way in and can't be re-loaded until you empty the magazine? There is a review at:

http://www.ssaa.org.au/OFFICIALREVIEWS/largeleveraction/leveraction.htm

that says:

the reviewers found loading to be a bit awkward. When loading this gun, you can only push the cartridge in the magazine part way. If you push it in completely, the loading gate locks and additional ammo cannot be loaded until the magazine is emptied

Is this true? If so, will someone please explain why this is the case as it makes no sense to me

I have had no experance with it the only thing I can think of is the loaded bullet is sliding back into the action a bit, stoping the gate opening. If this is the case I think it must be a problem with the rifle they had and it should be fixable. I saw that review too.

Yeah, it's weird. The thing is though, the current model's manual (From the Winchester web site) say this about loading:

...press the spring cover inward with the tip of the first cartridge until all but the rim has entered the loading port
2. Then, insert the next cartridge in the same manner, pushing the preceding cartridge into the magazine
3. Repeat this procedure with each cartridge, but push the last cartridge past the end of the spring cover, allowing the cover to snap closed...

Taken with the review, it seems to imply that this is by design. I hope not since I am trying to decide between a Win 94 & a Marlin 1894 (See the thread regarding home defense in au - http://www.shootersforum.com/showthread.htm?t=13503). In the heat of the moment when you are trying to load your gun if there is an intruder in the house, or there are Whitetails everywhere and you need to get more shots off after exhausting your magazine (hah, we wish!) what if you stuff up and accidently push one of the cartridges in too far. Then you've only got 1 or 2 rounds in the magazine which is not enough if some dumbass[es] decides to break into your house and threaten your family. It just seems like a silly design decision so I am hoping that someone with a late model Winchester Model 94 is going to tell me that that's not the case.

There is no loading gate lock on a Winchester Model 94. In some instances, it is hard to push in the loading gate in if the magazine is full, but if it is full, you don't need to open the gate anyway. New guns can be very stiff though, sounds like operator error.

One of the nice things about a lever gun is being able to 'top off' the magazine without emptying it. Sounds like those boys just don't know their lever guns from a hill of beans....

There is a beveled spot on the forward end of the inside of the loading gate. If this area is rough, it will be difficult to push the gate open to load another round. This is because this area of the loading gate pushes on the rim of the round in the gun to move it forward and out of the way.
Who ever wrote that article had no concept of how a Win 94 is supposed to work.

Some loading gates are stiffer sprung than others, but there is no such thing as a loading gate lock.

Joe

Thanks guys, I'm glad to hear it :-)

I know this is an old thread but I just experienced the same thing on my new Trail's End in 45 Colt, i.e. after the magazine is loaded, there is no topping off the magazine after you fire a few rounds. After studying this for awhile, I think I have figured out what is going on. There is a small projection off the front end of the link plate that allows a cartridge out of the magazine tube. There is also a larger projection off the bottom of the finger lever that controls how far into the action the cartridge goes - it should not get past the front end of the loading port or you can't load more ammo. On my gun, there is so much side to side play between the finger lever and the link plate that the lever can twist sideways enough so that instead of catching the next cartridge, it allows the next cartridge to slide beside it for about a quarter inch further than it should thus locking up the loading port. If I am careful to operate the lever in the same plane as the long axis of the rifle, it functions just fine and I can add ammo to the magazine tube. I have tried adding a small stainless steel washer between the lever and link plate to remove some of the play but so far I can't locate a thin enough washer. Going back to Winchester for repair.

bubbaturbo,

Winchester actually lists a washer for that location on the newer Mdl 94's.
Their parts dept number is: 1-800-322-4626.

I don't know what the part number of that little washer is, but it just might be what your rifle needs.
Here is the link to their parts page, my dial up takes forever to download a .pdf of this size. You might have a quicker connection.
http://www.winchesterguns.com/services/parts/terms.htm

Joe

Joe

I have tried adding a small stainless steel washer between the lever and link plate to remove some of the play but so far I can't locate a thin enough washer. Going back to Winchester for repair.

On the mew Angle Eject rifles there is supposed to be an "anti-rattle" washer between the lever and the link plate. When you seperate the lever and the link plate you need to ensure you drive the pin out from left to right, there are serations on the pin. You also need to ensure you do not loose the anti-rattle washer. It is pretty small. I have experianced a reluctance to load a partial magazine on my .375 until I had loaded it a few times. Yhen he stiffnes went away. If your rifle has significant play between the lever and the link plate it sounds like the washer is missing. Should I call this a shim?

Thanks for the replies. There was no washer on my rifle but I do have the part number now. I'll see if Winchester will send me one tomorrow - that sure beats sending in the gun. Thanks again.

I have a few 30-30 and find that the review is lacking in understanding. I have on pre 64 and another brand new. The loading is awkward, give you that, but the you dont need to empty the magizine to add another cartridge to it. Even with the new winchster the loading can be done with three, four or five even six with little effort. It was even easier with the pre.
The gate does closes after you load the mag but you still can add more without emptying the rifle. I think panel just looked and didnt try to load the thing half full.