Loading/unloading a model 94?

[STW]

Warning, new lever gun shooter on board is asking all his question at once :grin:

What's the proper way to unload and clear a model 94? Probably the easiest action I've ever used for checking for a cartridge in the breech, but seems fiddly and difficult to unload. Just need to make sure I'm doing this the proper, safe, way.

What I've been doing is cycling the action while keeping well away from the trigger, and then picking up the cartridges off the ground. Seems like this method places me very close to firing the rifle 6 or 7 times while unloading, but I'll be happy to use whatever time-honored m94 method is right. Should I hold the rifle upside down when I cycle it so that the cartridges can fall into my palm instead of the floor, and so that I can make sure nothing gets close to the trigger?

What about unloading only the chambered cartridge (for those who choose to carry the rifle with empty chamber until ready)? When I eject the chambered cartridge without lifting the next cartridge to the breech, the next cartridge seems hestitant to get pushed back into the magazine by the action--is it safe to just close the action and push the round back into the magazine? Am I going to be shortening my cartridges by this treatment and by loading/unloading them too much?

When first getting to know my 20" mod 94, I noticed it will allow me to push an 8th round into the mag before bottoming out. I'm assuming this is just over-compressing the spring and I should only load 6 rounds as speced, or do I have a 7 or 8 round mag?

[Mikey]

STW:  I just cycle the cartridges right out of the gun.  Keep your finger off the trigger and you should be alright.  You can also eject one cartridge and before chambering the 2nd, turn the rifle over and shake that second one out of the action, and repeat until the rifle is empty.  Or, just cycle them out until it is empty.  There isn't any other way of emptying a lever gun that I know of.  Mikey.

I wouldn't worry too much about shortening your cartridges.  Most lever cartridges I know of use cannelured (? spelling) bullets that are crimped into the case.  They should not get pushed further into the case by cycling the action.  Hope this helps.  Mikey.

[Flint]

The only other way to empty it is to remove the magazine plug, spring and follower from the front end.   That's the only way if you loaded the wrong caliber carteidges....such as 45Colt in a 44-40, or 35 cal in a 30.