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38 55 trouble Winchester

Rex Mahan
I put ammo in my 38 55 today and tried to cylce it. The rounds load properly and rise when the lever is moved forward. The snag is that the round only gets to the diagonal spot and doesnt come up all the way up through the slots, so it can be pushed forward with the bolt. It just gets stuck. It does come out with little effort, but it does the same even with two different brands of ammo.

I just got the gun and today was going to be the first day to shoot it. I did actually go ahead and load one round at a time and shoot it that way.

I dont see anything obvious. I even tried a 30 30 round to see if someone had changed parts aound. It does exactly the samething. I assume 38 55s have some different insides?

Thanks for the help

Rex
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Comments

6 comments

Date Votes
  • 41 nut
    Sounds like the carrier spring may be worn enough so that it is not snapping the carrier up into place. This will keep the ctg from coming all the way to the top so the bolt can carry it ahead.
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  • duckhunter
    Do you try to load slowly or do you snap the lever quickly??
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  • CapnMidnight
    Was the rifle orginaly a 38-55, or is it a rebarrled 30-30?
    W.D.
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  • Rex Mahan
    It is at least an original 38 55 barrel. I dont think there is anyway to really know if it was originaly a 38 55 except that it looks all original. I dont see any evidence of reblue or missmatched parts.

    I have only tried to load it slow to medium speed.

    Ive had one with a worn spring before. If I remember correctly, it would load properly. What I remember it doing was not allowing the loading gate to open properly since it wouldnt make the carrier go all the way down. Its been a while.

    Thanks again
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  • Rex Mahan
    Well I poured lots of Rem Oil into the carier area and was getting ready to send Bert a picture of the stuck round and it came up and loaded. I didnt see anything and it did not look dirty. The gun is real clean. However it works now.
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  • Rex Mahan
    Well I thought I fixed it but it started locking up again. So I got a light out and pushed around on things in the reciever. I found one of the rails loose. Took it apart tightened it all up. NOW it is good.
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