Winchester Model 24

[Sonic82]

Hi all. I’ve visited here often, but never posted. Sites like this really make the internet a great resource and this one tops for knowledge in hunting and firearms. Thanks for providing it.

I have a Winchester Model 24 givin’ to me by my father. It’s in good shape and I fired it this week and it functions fine.

It has an attribute that may or may not be normal. When loading it you have to pull down on the barrel a little for clearance of the shells. Same with ejecting them. Is this adjustable? It sure would be nice to turn it into a one-hand operation vs. a two-hand one. It’s a little stiff when breaking it open as well…shouldn’t it just flop open when releasing it? I doused everything with WD-40 and Rem-Oil but it’s still stiff. No binding or anything abnormal I can detect. My Dad used it as a kid and has always remembered it being stiff and having to pull down on the barrel when loading or unloading it…so, he thinks it’s normal…any opinions on this? I always thought Forest Tucker would just snap these puppys shut with the thrust of one hand  Here’s some pics..thanks.

[S.E.Ak]

All doubles are ment to be used with both hands and dropping the barrel causes extra pounding and wear. The forearm iron is the weak link on the old 24 so be easy on it. The 24 is the only American round body ever made but nothing like the round bodies from across the pond.

[Sonic82]

Ok..thanks. Still a little confused tho. In this video link at about the 1:40 mark this kid loads a couple of shells without pulling down on the barrel. And directly after that he closes the gun effortlessly...unlike mine, where it is stiff and takes two hands to close it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzFDwdiuXkM

[james]

My guess is your gun needs to be used more.  You need to take it to the trap range or on some hot dove hunting.   Most o/u and doubles are stiff when they are new but will loosen up after 4-500 rounds.  Some cowboy action shooters use tooth paste or jewelers rouge on the action to speed up the process. 

[Graybeard]

There prolly is some binding and perhaps galling in the metal to metal surfaces. I've seen it often on cheaply made imported guns and some older guns that haven't been properly lubed. Might be the problem.

take it apart and look at the mating surfaces to see if there has been any galling due to under lubrication. If so polish it out extremely gently. I do it by using JB Non Embedding Bore Paste as if it were grease. Just slap a bunch on the mating surfaces them open and close 50-100 times. Clean ALL of it off really really well. Do not leave any as it is a very mild abrasive. Then lube the mating surfaces with a quality lube and it should be much smoother and slicker.

Still as said O/U and SxS double guns aren't intended to just fall open and for sure aren't meant to be slammed closed as some folks do.

On an old Winchester the quality isn't an issue but wear and misuse over the years might be. Some folks tend never to lube those mating surfaces. Ya really should.

[jlchucker]

What you see done in the cowboy movies by guys like Forrest Tucker and Chuck Connors isn't necessarily good gun practice.  I agree with others that have posted regarding your issue. It may be just a matter of under-lubrication.  More likely though, your father bought this gun new, used it for hunting once in a while, and it's never really worn itself in.  Clean this gun up, lube it properly, and use it for a few rounds of trap or skeet at your local gun club.  Do what Graybeard and others have said in their replies.  You've got a decent American-made double there that needs to be used, but taken care of properly.  Good luck.

[Sonic82]

Well..I gently opened and closed it 400 times and it has loosened it up some. I think you are all correct that this gun simply has not been used very much. However, it hasn't gotten to the point where you can load it with one hand yet. I'll keep working on it. Thanks for everyone's input and advice.

[jpickar]

If it opens loosely, it is worn. Your gun is in good shape. Keep it that way. It would be a shame to put wear on it just because the "guys on TV do it"

John

[briarpatch]

I have a model 24 and it does just as you discribe. Must have been made that way.