Origional 73 !

[tj3006]

Greetings from Oregon !
    I just bought my 1st 73.
  Its an original 3rd model 44/40 src.   Its in pretty good shape , it has a crack in the but stock , but for shooting it will be fine i think.
I popped a primer so the firing pin works , and the ejector works great.
   The chamber area was pretty cruddy and the lifter would not come all the way up. A bit of cleaning and now it comes up about half the time. But I do need to work the lever pretty hard.
   Any one have any advise for this problem ?
                thanks...tj3006

[Cliff Fendley]

Is it hitting the bolt?

[Abilene]

Well, that's cool.  Got any pics?

Possibly a weak carrier (lifter) spring.  There are two side by side screws on the bottom of the receiver.  The one on the right side (loading gate side) holds this spring.  Try tightening this screw if it will turn.  If it is already tight, the spring may be weak and need replacing.  This assumes the carrier and the channel in the frame it rides in is clean.

[tj3006]

Thanks abeline !
   I will have look. I am going to order a book from midway on Friday.in the mean time i need guys like you !

                         ...tj3006

[tj3006]

Abeline !
     I could not tighten the screw , Nor could i loosen it.  It may have been there foe a while. the screw has been moved before it,s plain to see.  Where should i go to order the spring and since i might have to have the old one taken out with some sort of easy out tool, I should probably get another screw too.
                     i will check numerich.  And put a drop of Kroll on each end of the screw in hopes of saving it,,,tj3006

[Cliff Fendley]

The springs do not lift the carrier block, it just holds it up. I happen to have an original 73 in my safe right now that the lifter arm spring is broken but it still will lift, it just falls back down too soon when closing the bolt.

Something is hanging if it wont lift when working the lever. Could be the springs hanging up the lifter arm or lever. I've also seen many old worn out 73's that the lifter block hits the bolt. Essentially out of time because of worn toggle links and other parts. Not saying that is the problem but possible cause which is why I asked.

First thing I'd do is take the side plates off and see whats catching on what.

Homesteader has lots of original Winchester parts.

[Abilene]

TJ, well a stuck carrier spring screw is fairly common for a new Uberti, but in your case probably from age.  On an Uberti, you can remove the side plates, then pry the end of that spring off of the lever cam and out so that the end drops down outside the side of the frame, which takes some of the pressure off of it and makes it easier to turn the screw.  You can also at this time put some of that Kroil on the threads on the inside of the frame.  I would assume that this would also help to loosen the screw on an original.  I don't think the Italian parts will fit though, so hopefully Numrich will have them.  There is some other places that also sell vintage parts, a google search will show them.

[tj3006]

It looks like i solved the problem !
     I just got to screwing around with a dummy round and seated a little deeper than the factory rounds i bought ad its feeding just fine.  Now to put together a hand load.
     Think i will go buy some unique !...Thanks !

[Cholla Hill Tirador]

It looks like i solved the problem !
     I just got to screwing around with a dummy round and seated a little deeper than the factory rounds i bought ad its feeding just fine.  Now to put together a hand load.
     Think i will go buy some unique !...Thanks !

  I bet you'll love your new rifle. I have two original '73 Winchesters, both in 38-40 (1886 and 1888 production). I also have an older Uberti in 44-40. For either of these cartridges Unique, Power Pistol and Herco have worked well in both cartridges but as of right now, I use Power Pistol almost exclusively. Love using Swiss 3Fg too but don't particularly care for cleaning the brass after shooting.

CHT

[tj3006]

I put together 50, rounds of a .205 grain , cast over 13 grains of 2400.
   Should give me enough speed to test the accuracy potential.  1000 fps or so...
   I will pick up some unique.
       ...tj3006