Win 94 357/38: Any conversion for tube feeding?

[Okie2]

Recent purchase of a Winchester 94AE 357/38: Tough to load through loading gate (100 rounds per outings is normal).  Are there any ways to convert the tube to a tube feed like most .22's and the Henry (also the Puma has feed through tube model).  Love the gun but, my fingers are getting sore!  Thanks, Scott in OK

[Lanny]

  Your rifle is just fine. The spring pushes the cartridge behind the loading gate if you insert the cartridge fully.
Leave the cartridge out a little bit and load another by pushing on the first one, only the very last shell you should push all the way in.

[Okie2]

Yup...did that...pretty strong spring in tube likes to push shells out if don't hold them down....would be muuuuucccccchhhhhh easier to pull a tube out & dump 9 shells out of a straw down the tube & replace tube...easier on fingers....Still looking for options. Scott

[Mikey]

Okie:  I've never seen anything like that for the 94/94AE.  Is it tough to load the magazine or is the loading gate tough to keep open?  If this is a new rifle you may need some more break-in. 

You may also wish to cruise the blackpowder rifle forums to see if anyone is using a 94/94AE in any CAS sports and see if any of those folk have had the same difficulty.

The last new 94AE I bought needed lots of break-in.  Parts had burrs on them, the tube magazine had a small part of its lip bent and that caused both spring and cartridge hang-ups (fixed that and that was fine).  The loading gate had (read: bloody fingers) sharp edges but that got fixed too and then all was well.  I basically pulled every (non-firing)part I could and stoned off sharp edges and made things that were supposed to be round, round. 

If it is tough to load the magazine you may need a 'softer' spring or some smoothing.  Mikey.

[no guns here]

I've always wondered why all lever guns didn't load like a .22.  Pull up on the brass part, dump in ammo, push down and twist.  I know that recoil could cause it to come loose but there has to be an answer to that too.  Maybe a threaded cap on the end...

ngh

[dpe.ahoy]

My Puma 92 in 454 has that option, their 480 is made that way as well.  I happen to like it, you can load thru the gate or pull the tube.  DP

[Okie2]

The Puma has a model 357 as well as the Henry that bothhave the tube through loading...just thought it would be a pretty simple after market part to produce....sure be easier....Made bullet holders out of two McDonald's straws taped together for my .22's....could be done for the 357...if only my gun were so designed!

It's a new gun so probably needs some bugs worked out....