sears model 54 hard to load

[locomike]

HI, i got a sears model 54 9winchester 94 i believe) and noticed its super hard to load rounds into, its decades old so hard to believe the spring being supernew and stiff is the prob.... also the load door in the side of the gun is real stiff as well. tried looking online but nothing. anyone here deal with these and have any suggestions???

[golfish]

Mike, it's real easy to get the mag tube spring out. Remove that and clean up the tube.
Those Marlins are really easy to take apart and just as easy to reassemble.

You can cut a few inches off the mag spring and lighten the loading gate some by notching the spring a little. Best to start slow. It's a lot easier to cut materials off then it is to put em back on.

I'd bet the mag tube and spring just need a cleaning..

[200Apples]

Take it apart and clean out the magazine tube. Clean the mag spring and plunger.

As for the loading gate, what we do to some Marlins is with a small triangular file remove 1/3rd the width of the flat spring strip between the loading gate mounting screw boss and the gate itself.

Also, look elsewhere "on the internet" for tips, tricks and advice. Good luck.


Edit: golfish beat me to it!

[Killer Bee]

according to Store Brand Crossover List you are correct, Sears model 54 is a Winchester model 94

please don't take this the wrong way - do you have experience with other lever action guns?

reason I ask is for your point of reference as to how the loading gate and mag tube spring should feel on a model 94..

they aren't soft and they don't load gently.. they can be loaded fast and smooth but a moderate amount of force is required..

as mentioned, the loading gate and mag tube plunger may take advantage of a good cleaning and lubrication but the spring tensions are likely very typical.. so the mechanical drag needs to be differentiated from spring tensions to diagnose..

good luck!

[pacrat]

Mike, it's real easy to get the mag tube spring out. Remove that and clean up the tube.
Those Marlins are really easy to take apart and just as easy to reassemble.

You can cut a few inches off the mag spring and lighten the loading gate some by notching the spring a little. Best to start slow. It's a lot easier to cut materials off then it is to put em back on.

I'd bet the mag tube and spring just need a cleaning..

Take it apart and clean out the magazine tube. Clean the mag spring and plunger.

As for the loading gate, what we do to some Marlins is with a small triangular file remove 1/3rd the width of the flat spring strip between the loading gate mounting screw boss and the gate itself.

Also, look elsewhere "on the internet" for tips, tricks and advice. Good luck.


Edit: golfish beat me to it!

SEARS md 54 isn't a Marlin. As OP noted. It is a post 64 Md 94 made by Winchester under contract to Sears.

[golfish]

lol, Sorry OP.....

I don't know why I have Marlin on my mind. $+!T you only said it in the OP....

I picked a bad day to stop huffing glue

[pacrat]

lol, Sorry OP.....

I don't know why I have Marlin on my mind. $+!T you only said it in the OP....

I picked a bad day to stop huffing glue

When I do it. I attribute it to SENIOR MOMENT BRAIN FARTS.

[golfish]

When I do it. I attribute it to SENIOR MOMENT BRAIN FARTS.

Lol

What's even funnier is that I pulled apples down with me

[pennstater]

When I do it. I attribute it to SENIOR MOMENT BRAIN FARTS.

Hmmm. Yes, this can happen more than we'd like to admit. Now, what am I looking for in the kitchen?

MLC

[200Apples]

SEARS md 54 isn't a Marlin. As OP noted. It is a post 64 Md 94 made by Winchester under contract to Sears.

I'm well aware of the differences between a Win '94 (Sears design) and a Marlin of any model number.

Loading gate spring is similar, as is the basic tube mag and follower design. If OP can address those two things and then the gun is still hard to feed rounds into the mag through the side of the receiver, then the cartridge release might be interfering. That "catch" interfaces (for lack of a better way to put it) with the carrier.

[golfish]

Just kidding to you Chris, I know darn well you were on track..

I was day dreaming about a certain gun ; )

[200Apples]

I was day dreaming about a certain gun

Hahaha! Oh, you WERE, were you? I've never! done that before... lol.

Know what I dream about, lately? Getting back to handloading workups for .41 Mag and another 270-gr Speer load for my 1894SBL... but before I can do much of that I gotta get this shepherd's trailer on the road.

[kendog4570]

HI, i got a sears model 54 9winchester 94 i believe) and noticed its super hard to load rounds into, its decades old so hard to believe the spring being supernew and stiff is the prob.... also the load door in the side of the gun is real stiff as well. tried looking online but nothing. anyone here deal with these and have any suggestions???

Check for the magazine follower being in backwards. Usually caused by someone "fixing" it in the past. Also may be varnished up old oil and lube. 50 or so years has a way of turning that stuff into glue.

The spring cover (loading gate) is the last part to come out after the entire receiver is stripped with exception to the guides. If you are not familiar with the 94 action, best to take it to someone that is.