Help with Uberti Win 73 Jamming

[Dalion]

Howdy Pards,

I shot my Uberti Winchester 73 over the weekend and got home and found that the lever safety had fallen off.  All that was left was the flat spring.  I took the stock off and removed the spring.  I took it out to shoot and lay it on its left side to load but when I tried to work the lever it only moved about a half inch and would not go any further.  I tried and tried it wouldn't move.  I then laid the rifle down on its right side to get a screw driver out of my bag and when I picked it up the rifle worked perfectly.  So I went on shooting until it was time to reload and again the lever wouldn't move. I then realized that if I laid the rifle on the right side and jiggled the lever it would work and if I laid it on its left side and jiggled the lever I could jam it every time. 

Took it home removed the side plates worked the lever, thinking maybe the lever safety pin was still in the action, nope took the links off looked inside cleaned it lubed it put it back together and the condition persists.  Should I replace the lever safety?  Is it needed?  I would appreciate any help you can lend in diagnosing where I should be looking for the problem.   Thanks.

[August]

Sorry to hear about your difficulties.  Most likely, it is a simple thing, so don't get discouraged.

First off, "safety lever" is not a proper name for any of the parts on a '73, so let's first be sure we know what you're talking about.  There is a lever latch that sits behind the lever, which can be used to lock the lever closed if you're carrying your '73 on horseback.  That part often falls off when the flat spring/washer that holds it on breaks.  The safety latch is held into the bottom tang with a cross-pin (as you mention) and that pin is held in place by the flat spring/washer, which is on the inside of the bottom tang.  There is also a trigger safety mechanism on the ''73 that prevents (sort of) the gun from firing when the lever is not full closed (i.e. bolt at battery).  So, first off, which of these two things is broken?

Second, neither the lever latch pin/spring, nor the trigger safety can be accessed through the side plates.  The bottom tang internals can only be seen when the stock is removed.  You may have a loose part, primer, or who knows what floating around in the fire control area of the gun, which is only available for inspection upon stock removal.

Third, you don't mention that you removed the elevator lever or the elevator in your inspection.  The inside of the elevator is a good place for crud to collect and it really needs cleaning and lubrication (lithium grease) occasionally.  Also, you don't mention the condition, position, or strength of the lever spring or elevator spring.  Usually, when guys disassemble the action of a '73, they have a butt load of comments about the lever and elevator retention screws.  How well are those springs lubricated where they contact their respective parts and are they properly seated?

Finally, a complete disassembly, cleaning, and lubrication of the arm will most likely reveal the problem and effect a solution.

[Dalion]

August, thank you for your response.  You are quite correct I am talking about the lever-latch just to the rear of the lever.  The rifle is relatively new, it's only had about 1,000 rounds through it, and it was slick up by the gunsmith I bought it from.  After further inspection I found the retaining pin for the lever latch in the grease of one of the linkages and removed it and now that rifle is working without a hitch.  Since this rifle is not likely to be used from a scabbard is the lever latch a necessity?

[August]

Most of the guys I know who's latch breaks just leave it off.  If you want to replace it for cosmetic reasons, VTI gunparts carries all the appropriate pieces for '73's.  I'm glad to hear its working!!!!