1895 Winchester problem

[leadeye]

Recently picked up an 1895 Winchester 405, finally got some ammo and dummies put together and have a problem. The magazine follower looks like it should hold the bullet end of the cartridge higher but just feels loose and the action won't close. It actually pushes the nose of the cartridge down. Haven't taken the rifle apart as of yet, still collecting info. Any thoughts for other owners? Thanks in advance.

This is one of the modern USRA guns.

[pietro]

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It sounds like there might be an issue with the magazine spring.

(My Winchester/Miroku .405 had zero issues)


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[Plumb Center]

If this is an worn original 1895 the cartridge carrier (follower) can start to droop and the cartridges won't feed into the chamber. Just worked on a 30-03 with this problem and it turned out to be wear in the carrier cam lever (lifter). A slight bend upward in that part and it feeds properly. Be warned, that magazine assy. can be tricky to reassemble. You may need to make some pins to hold the parts together until reassembled in the gun.
Jim