Taking out the cartridge guides on an 1894 Winchester

[David LaPell]

I have to replace the cartridge guides on an older 1894 Winchester. The problem is that the screws are on the INSIDE and they have to be taken out that way, does anyone know how to remove those or how to get to them? Is there a tool that is used for it?

[Der Gebirgsjager]

They're held in by a tiny screw each, so you need a small screwdriver. There's no way to get at them without stripping the receiver of the bolt, lever, lifter, etc. They're the last item to be removed in disassembly, and the first to be put back in.

I'm curious-- why do you have to replace them?

DG

[Bazoo]

The screws are on the outside of the receiver. Right side it's just above the loading gate.

[Hick]

Pre-64 the screws are on the inside, post-64 on the outside. For my pre-64 I took an old screwdriver and bent the tip 90 degrees (heat the spot for the bend with a torch). With the 90 degree corner screwdriver the removal is easy.

[Der Gebirgsjager]

Pre-64 the screws are on the inside, post-64 on the outside. For my pre-64 I took an old screwdriver and bent the tip 90 degrees (heat the spot for the bend with a torch). With the 90 degree corner screwdriver the removal is easy.

There you go. Probably the best, comprehensive answer. Once you've take apart a hundred or so it just isn't that difficult to do, but I never made a special screwdriver. I used to reblue them, and there was almost never a time when I didn't have one in pieces on the workbench. Had to strip them all the way down.

[Bent Ramrod]

When I removed the guides from a 94, I used a hex magnetic screwdriver bit and one of those stamped-out small box wrenches that used to be given away in sets as promotional items. A small piece of wood wedged in the opposite side of the receiver held the hex bit straight and tight in the screwdriver slot, but could compress enough so the screws could be loosened a few turns with the box wrench. Then the wood could be removed and the bit held straight with my finger, and the wrench and bit removed the screw the rest of the way.

[pietro]

.

Use an $8 offset screwdriver (google)

[MT Gianni]

A chapman driver like is used on a Lyman or RCBS lube sizer will hold a 1/4" bit base. I would tape it in and try that.

[Bazoo]

The research I done after I opened my big mouth shows many folks making a short driver bit to use with the Chapman handle.

[cpaspr]

I'm cheap, and frankly, just needed to tighten the ones that were loose.

I grabbed a couple of scrap 2" galvanized nails, bent the heads over, and filed them slightly. Worked just fine. If I was going to do it on a regular basis I'd use real tools, but for what I needed, the nails worked just fine.

[Nobade]

That works. I grind them out of little allen wrenches. Already bent and made from good metal.

[2152hq]

Take out the loading gate.
Go in through the now empty loading gate opening and access the left cartridge guide screw and remove it.
A slender long straight screw driver is all that is needed. You will be working at a slight angle onto the guide screw but there's plenty of room to remove the screw.

Once the left guide is out, use the empty left side guide screw hole to go thru with the same screw driver and directly engage the right side guide screw inside and remove.

Replace the same way.

This is how it was always done at the factory during assembly and repair.
No playing around with tiny off-set screw drivers though that is another way to get it done.

[Nobade]

Take out the loading gate.
Go in through the now empty loading gate opening and access the left cartridge guide screw and remove it.
A slender long straight screw driver is all that is needed. You will be working at a slight angle onto the guide screw but there's plenty of room to remove the screw.

Once the left guide is out, use the empty left side guide screw hole to go thru with the same screw driver and directly engage the right side guide screw inside and remove.

Replace the same way.

This is how it was always done at the factory during assembly and repair.
No playing around with tiny off-set screw drivers though that is another way to get it done.

Great tip! I'll remember that.

[John Taylor]

Take out the loading gate.
Go in through the now empty loading gate opening and access the left cartridge guide screw and remove it.
A slender long straight screw driver is all that is needed. You will be working at a slight angle onto the guide screw but there's plenty of room to remove the screw.

Once the left guide is out, use the empty left side guide screw hole to go thru with the same screw driver and directly engage the right side guide screw inside and remove.

Replace the same way.

This is how it was always done at the factory during assembly and repair.
No playing around with tiny off-set screw drivers though that is another way to get it done.

That's the way I do it.

[Drm50]

I’ve got a Chapman but I have a 4 piece set of hardened hollow ground offset screw drivers.