Problem with my 1904 - 97, take a look see

[Tuco Forsyth]

My recently restored 1904 - 97 is having feeding problems.  The problem is when I work the action when loaded, about one out of five times the shell will not be released from the magazine tube.  I've tried numerous different brand shells with the same effect, what to try next?

[Guage Rod]

Hey WCW, if you are a bit knowledgeable about the 97 take down you might try this.  Take the Magazine tube off.  Check for rust, burrs, corrosion and crud in it.  Give it a good scrubbing with bore cleaner and bronz or brass brush just like the barrel.  Check the follower for burs, flat spots or defects fo any kind.  Stone of any such defects carefuly.  Next Look at the magazine spring.  clean it as best as you can and if it does not look too brittle or rusted, try streatching it out a couple of inches.  My bet is the spring may be worn our or the tube crudded up.  While you are at it, clean out all of the ejectors, ports and recesses of the gun while you have it apart.   Best of luck.

Vaya Con Dios!    

[Tuco Forsyth]

Wow, excellent remedy, will do and thanks!

[Capt. Augustus]

One problem I had on a Chinchester, the end of the lifter had a high spot that touched the base of the shotshell in the magazine.  When the time came to release the shell, sometimes it did not happen.  Drove a couple of us crazy for a while.  When the shell releases there is about a 1/32 shell travel towards the lifter.