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Winchester 88 action stuck

vin_e50
I inherited a Winchester 88 .308 from my father, not sure the last time he shot it. Shot it for the first time, gun went off and now the action won't open, the lever will move down about half way but not fully to engage the bolt to pull it back. Just wondering if anyone has had this problem and how to fix it before I take it to my gunsmith.

Thanks!
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Comments

9 comments

Date Votes
  • tsr1965
    Yes, there is a method to use, but in the light of this question, needing to be asked, you should really take that to a competent gunsmith, so he can fix it, not just get it "un-stuck".

    By gunsmith, I mean a full service shop, with a licensed, and properly educated gunsmith. Not just a sales shop, with a hammer jockey.

    EDIT 1
    quote:Maybe next time be helpful and say "you should probably take it to a gunsmith" instead of being derogatory. If you didn't mean to be derogatory, then I apologize.

    quote:Be sure and use proper fitting screwdriver bits or blades. Proper sized and type of punch can be helpful. A clean, well lit, sturdy work bench in nice. A clean bare floor makes finding flying springs and detents possible.

    I did not mean to sound like I was doubting your skills, but it was a just in case you had doubts. This rifle has pretty good value, depending on condition, and as Charlie states, messed up screw heads, will detract for that. Not many good gunsmith screw driver sets are found in the hands of hobbyist.

    I have answered quite a few questions of this nature, and have grown to realize, that if the question needed to be asked then, the project needed more than a little attention by a skilled professional. A bubba gunsmith, or sales shop "hammer jockey", can ruin the value, and the firearm itself.

    Best
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  • vin_e50
    I'm not trying to get it "un-stuck" I'd like to fix it if I can, but if it's too much then I have no problem taking it to my gunsmith. Do you call a plumber if your garbage disposal clogs? I'm the type that tries to figure out why and fix it. Maybe next time be helpful and say "you should probably take it to a gunsmith" instead of being derogatory. If you didn't mean to be derogatory, then I apologize.
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  • pip5255
    if you are comfortable with taking the action apart then I would pull it apart and inspect and clean then reassemble and test for function, if function is ok then test fire.
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  • vin_e50
    Thank you, I kind of figured that was going to be the answer, but thought I'd try to see if there was something external that could help. I don't feel comfortable with that, as I know they can be difficult to reassemble.
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  • charliemeyer007
    Be sure and use proper fitting screwdriver bits or blades. Proper sized and type of punch can be helpful. A clean, well lit, sturdy work bench in nice. A clean bare floor makes finding flying springs and detents possible.

    http://www.gunpartscorp.com/Manufacturers/Winchester-33573/Rifles-42602/88-40352.htm
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  • TRAP55
    http://stevespages.com/ipb-winchester-88.html
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  • dfletcher
    quote:Originally posted by vin_e50
    I inherited a Winchester 88 .308 from my father, not sure the last time he shot it. Shot it for the first time, gun went off and now the action won't open, the lever will move down about half way but not fully to engage the bolt to pull it back. Just wondering if anyone has had this problem and how to fix it before I take it to my gunsmith.

    Thanks!


    I can take apart and reassemble pretty much any gun out there and when friends told me how challenging the Winchester 88 is I doubted them. But they were right and I was wrong. I worked the action with the receiver out of the stock, that caused the gun to lock up and I had to disassemble it - which wasn't all that difficult, getting it back together was the challenge.

    There is an excellent YouTube video by a Maine gunsmith named Jim Green - search for it under "Winchester 88 reassembly" and it will pop up. The instructions and video are appropriate and accurate, well presented. When he says "use slave pins" he knows what he's talking about.
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  • Hangfire
    Here's a good site for 88-100 info..

    http://www.leeroysramblings.com/Gun Articles/winchester_model_88_100_info.html
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  • Oakie
    I am a Model 88 collector and enthusiast. I would highly recommend that you take this beautiful firearm to a gun smith. There is only two guns that I will not attempt to take apart and reassemble. The Winchester model 88 and the Browning BL 22. Both can be very challenging. I took apart my first model 88, 308 and could not for the life of me, get it back together right. My local gunsmith, who had been in business for 50+ years, got it back together and fixed the problem for me. Let me ask you this, Did you fire a 308 in it and not a 7.62???? I ask because, I had a nephew that did that and thus the reason he couldn't get the case to eject. Something doesn't sound right. I have every model and caliber of the model 88 and never had this problem. Do me a favor, when you do get it fixed, please shoot me an email and let me know what happened. I always like to learn as much as I can. Oakie. Best of luck sir and your father left you a gem[;)][^]
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