Wiinchester Model 1873 Chamber Problem

[maico400]

I  have an original Winchester Model 1873 (3rd Model).  I shot a box of Black Hills 38-40 WCF ammo with no problems.  Now with the same ammo the case gets stuck in the chamber.  I also tried Goex Black Dawge ammo and my own black powder reloads using Starline brass,  Black Dawge 175 grain bullets and 30, 25 and 20 grains of FFG black powder.  Would honing the chamber fix the problem?  Or should I buy a replica to shoot?

[Pettifogger]

I  have an original Winchester Model 1873 (3rd Model).  I shot a box of Black Hills 38-40 WCF ammo with no problems.  Now with the same ammo the case gets stuck in the chamber.  I also tried Goex Black Dawge ammo and my own black powder reloads using Starline brass,  Black Dawge 175 grain bullets and 30, 25 and 20 grains of FFG black powder.  Would honing the chamber fix the problem?  Or should I buy a replica to shoot?

The question makes no sense.  You need to clarify what you are talking about.

[dusty texian]

You say stuck in the chamber ? Does that mean the rifle will not eject the fired cases?WILL IT EJECT A LOADED ROUND? Have you measured a few of the fired cases?What does the fired primer look like ,pushed out or still below the rim surface?Are the fired cases black around the neck?. The answer to some of these question's may help some here help you ,with your problem. May be somthing easy to fix. I shoot the old original gun's all the time That's what they are for ,If in good condition. Hope this help's you get the old girl shootin..............Dusty

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[Grizzly Adams]

Spent much of my misspent youth riding a Maico 400.  Sure miss um....

[w44wcf]

maico400,
Welcome to the forum.  If you were originally able to fire the Black Hills with no ejection issues, and now, using the same ammunition there is a problem in ejecting there could be something wrong with the action. To check that, chamber and extract a loaded factory round without firing, as Dusty Texan suggested. If the gun works ok then no issue with the action.

Otherwise, there must be something in the chamber. I would suggest a good cleaning with a .45 caliber brass brush dipped in solvent inserted from the muzzle  and turned in the chambe. I would put some 000 steel wooll on the brush as well.

Do the extracted fired cases show any drag marks or circular rings?

Good luck,
w44wcf   

[Abilene]

Another possibility is the extractor has developed a problem.

[maico400]

Snap Caps feed and extract ok.  New Starline brass extracts ok.  A loaded Goex round feeds and extracts ok.  A loaded Black Hills round sticks in the chamber and will not extract.  The primers are not pushed out.  The stuck cases do show drag marks.  I measured the diameter of the brass at the base:

Snap Cap                      0.4610
Starline Brass                 0.4625 - 0.4630
Goex Loaded Round        0.4625 - 0.4630
Black Hills Loaded Round 0.4635 - 0.4640
Fired Brass                    0.4635 - 0.4645

maico400 is a reference to a Maico 400 MX bike I raced in the early seventies.  Even though I have 5 motorcycles I still miss the Maico.

[dusty texian]

Maico 400 ,after hearin what you have said. I think if it were mine I'd pull the bolt,inspect the linkage pin's and toggle links , and extractor.While I had the bolt out I'd give the chamber a good cleaning. .You may have experiance, in doing this,if not dont fret .It is a rather simple task. If you need help further and get stuck, give me a pm. I'll help ifn I can.........Dusty