A question for lever gun users....

[Ray B]

Not sure about the newer '94s but the 1894 30WCF that I inherited, made when Teddy Roosevelt was president can have the bolt easily removed. Open the bolt about half-way. There is a small hole on the left side of the receiver with a larger hole on the opposite side. Look through the larger hole and move the bolt back and forth a little until you see a pin in the bolt. this pin connects the bolt to the lever assembly. Take a punch, put it in the small hole and drive the pin out through the larger hole. the bolt is now disconnected and can be pulled out of the rear of the action, allowing someone to look through the breech and down the barrel. To replace, slide the bolt back in, line up the holes and push the pin back in. Ready to go.

 

[Doug Hamilton]

My dad always used a dime to reflect any light into the bore

I hadn't heard of that one but I'll bet it works just fine. Of course, I haven't hunted with a lever action since I bought my first .30-06 more than 50 years ago.

 

[MS 9x56]

You do have a whole lot of OCD going there my friend. If you worry about something getting in your action, keep it closed and barrel down at night and storing. I own several levers and the only thing I have ever had get in the is seeds from goldenrod. Blow them out with canned air used for computer cleaning. Your rifle will tell you if there is an issue.

 

[TTundra]

I use my thumb nail for that
Same idea though

Im happy to see this...my dad showed me the same and I do it religiously on inspecting any barrel in the field or for purchase. Only in dim light do I need to go to a flashlight.

I run my levers hard and they rarely see enough thorough cleanings. I personally carry a takedown rod in case of a major obstruction that a snake wont pass thru...that said, a snake is all I have ever needed thus far.

 

[Tex .416]

A Otis cleaning kit stays in my gun case as it is small and can address issues like sand or mud in the bore. I had to put it to use just last week in my Henry .45-70 to quickly remove oil from the bore as it was pulled from the safe and put in the truck. The coated cable has enough backbone it could push out some obstructions like a dirt clod if needed. Highly recommend keeping one of these in the case case or pack.

Otis Universal Rifle Cleaning Kit

The Otis Rifle Cleaning System All Caliber is for firearm owners looking for a cleaning kit specifically for their rifles. The unique cotton patches...

www.midwayusa.com

 

[F. Vaccaro]

A Otis cleaning kit stays in my gun case as it is small and can address issues like sand or mud in the bore. I had to put it to use just last week in my Henry .45-70 to quickly remove oil from the bore as it was pulled from the safe and put in the truck. The coated cable has enough backbone it could push out some obstructions like a dirt clod if needed. Highly recommend keeping one of these in the case case or pack.

Otis Universal Rifle Cleaning Kit

The Otis Rifle Cleaning System All Caliber is for firearm owners looking for a cleaning kit specifically for their rifles. The unique cotton patches...

www.midwayusa.com

This is a very good kit. I have a similar one in my day pack.

 

[Hagler.450Ex]

You do have a whole lot of OCD going there my friend. If you worry about something getting in your action, keep it closed and barrel down at night and storing. I own several levers and the only thing I have ever had get in the is seeds from goldenrod. Blow them out with canned air used for computer cleaning. Your rifle will tell you if there is an issue.

You had to mention goldenrod, didn't you? Allergies from that have come closer to ending me than anything else I can think of
I suppose I do worry about it too much. I just like to be able to see all the workings of an action when I need to clean in the field, etc., but I've decided from now on to 'let it go' with levers.
Doubles I don't worry about, whether detachable locks or not, but it's the same reason they became available. Levers being designed with 'abuse' in mind and some looseness to avoid dirt, etc., and same I suppose as a 1911 for example, I'll never know how that passed the initial torture tests, given the slide and barrel lock-up. I think John Browning was from another planet sometimes. Never liked cleaning those either. If one likes sharp edges and areas you can't get to, get a Browning design, but somehow, they all work.
I guess I need a single shot, my life would instantly be much more pleasant

 

[Hagler.450Ex]

In fact, that may be exactly what I need. A little Jones Underlever single in a good medium bore and I'd be willing to swear to never look at anything else.
I think I've diagnosed myself I like "simple".
This could do wonders for me....beginning search now....

 

[wiyofa]

A model 94 Winchester .30-30 was my first rifle waaaaay back in the day, so I should know the answer to this, and I don't remember ever being worried about it back then, so it's strange that I think of it so often now. I know I must be a bit paranoid or with a bit of OCD at this age after all the things I've seen since that time, but I like being able to look directly down the bore of any of my rifles from chamber end to muzzle and check for obstructions in the field, be it bugs, or plant material, especially after sleep. I like to know that nothing has found its way in there. I sometimes will plug the muzzle by setting a cartridge in it if I'm away from it for a while or asleep. Then there is the action of a lever itself, which does not lend itself to readily breaking down, such as simply pulling the bolt out of a Mauser. Things can fall in there, and then what? Take the 1886 or 71 Winchester for example. A legend in its own right. Or even the 95'. What if sand, other foreign elements get in there? Sure, you're in the middle of nowhere, so let's just have a casual stroll and run it over to the gunsmith and have him strip it down and clean all the foreign elements out and put the 'extremely complicated' action of the 86/71...or 95, back together again. Not happening. And I'm not just speaking of the 86' or Winchesters in general, but Marlins and all levers.
Whereas I can strip a Mauser down in the field and it be like new again in very short order. Same with a single or double, although they too can be compromised by foreign elements on the flats........at least I can SEE it.
Furthermore, cleaning, in and of itself, and being able to see all the way down, a nice shiny chamber and bore. Also, powder, copper, lead, and solvent residue spraying from a brush into the action while cleaning the bore can feel like dealing with random clutter almost like нулс бравл popping up unexpectedly so I guess my question is, how do most of the lever gun users on here rationalize these things?
I like to know that everything is clean and running smoothly and that if a bird overhead takes direct aim at my action with the bolt open (humor here), more likely extreme weather and plant material, I don't have to haul a gunsmith shop around with me to make it right again.
What are everyone's thoughts on this matter?

Most lever-gun folks simply accept that the platform isn’t as field-strippable as a Mauser and trust the design to do what it’s always done: keep running even when it gets a little dirty. Lever actions look open, but they’re actually pretty good at keeping out anything that would truly stop the gun. A bit of dust, grass, or residue usually won’t hurt them, and most people only do full teardowns at home, not in the field. Using a muzzle cover or tape is very common, too. Overall, most users rely on simple prevention and trust the rifle’s old-school toughness rather than worrying about constant access to every part.

 

[MS 9x56]

You had to mention goldenrod, didn't you? Allergies from that have come closer to ending me than anything else I can think of
I suppose I do worry about it too much. I just like to be able to see all the workings of an action when I need to clean in the field, etc., but I've decided from now on to 'let it go' with levers.
Doubles I don't worry about, whether detachable locks or not, but it's the same reason they became available. Levers being designed with 'abuse' in mind and some looseness to avoid dirt, etc., and same I suppose as a 1911 for example, I'll never know how that passed the initial torture tests, given the slide and barrel lock-up. I think John Browning was from another planet sometimes. Never liked cleaning those either. If one likes sharp edges and areas you can't get to, get a Browning design, but somehow, they all work.
I guess I need a single shot, my life would instantly be much more pleasant

Unless it is a week long hunt I do not clean my rifle in the field unless it gets wet. If wet I disassemble the rifle dry it then wipe it all down with an oiled rag before reassembly.

 

[yfarm]

I was spot and stalk hunting Nilgai recently, back in thick thornbrush and Mesquite. Noticed bits of dried mesquite leaves in my barrel when I unloaded the bolt rifle. Have never covered my muzzle except in heavy rain. Assume upon firing the pressure change in the barrel will blow out this type of debris?

 

[fourfive8]

I was spot and stalk hunting Nilgai recently, back in thick thornbrush and Mesquite. Noticed bits of dried mesquite leaves in my barrel when I unloaded the bolt rifle. Have never covered my muzzle except in heavy rain. Assume upon firing the pressure change in the barrel will blow out this type of debris?

Tape the muzzle. Carry a little extra tape in case you shoot and need to re-tape.

 

[Tex .416]

I was spot and stalk hunting Nilgai recently, back in thick thornbrush and Mesquite. Noticed bits of dried mesquite leaves in my barrel when I unloaded the bolt rifle. Have never covered my muzzle except in heavy rain. Assume upon firing the pressure change in the barrel will blow out this type of debris?

Blue painter’s tape blows off and does not affect accuracy.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

A model 94 Winchester .30-30 was my first rifle waaaaay back in the day, so I should know the answer to this, and I don't remember ever being worried about it back then, so it's strange that I think of it so often now. I know I must be a bit paranoid or with a bit of OCD at this age after all the things I've seen since that time, but I like being able to look directly down the bore of any of my rifles from chamber end to muzzle and check for obstructions in the field, be it bugs, or plant material, especially after sleep. I like to know that nothing has found its way in there. I sometimes will plug the muzzle by setting a cartridge in it if I'm away from it for a while or asleep. Then there is the action of a lever itself, which does not lend itself to readily breaking down, such as simply pulling the bolt out of a Mauser. Things can fall in there, and then what? Take the 1886 or 71 Winchester for example. A legend in its own right. Or even the 95'. What if sand, other foreign elements get in there? Sure, you're in the middle of nowhere, so let's just have a casual stroll and run it over to the gunsmith and have him strip it down and clean all the foreign elements out and put the 'extremely complicated' action of the 86/71...or 95, back together again. Not happening. And I'm not just speaking of the 86' or Winchesters in general, but Marlins and all levers.
Whereas I can strip a Mauser down in the field and it be like new again in very short order. Same with a single or double, although they too can be compromised by foreign elements on the flats........at least I can SEE it.
Furthermore, cleaning, in and of itself, and being able to see all the way down, a nice shiny chamber and bore. Also, powder, copper, lead, and solvent residue spraying from a brush into the action while cleaning the bore.
I guess my question is, how do most of the lever gun users on here rationalize these things?
I like to know that everything is clean and running smoothly and that if a bird overhead takes direct aim at my action with the bolt open (humor here), more likely extreme weather and plant material, I don't have to haul a gunsmith shop around with me to make it right again.
What are everyone's thoughts on this matter?

@Hagler.450Ex
To strip a marlin lever action is very simple, one scew, pull out lever and bolt and done just don't drop the ejector sprit.
The 92 and 94 relatively simple with a bit of knowledge.
The others in not sure about.
Striping a Ruger No1 is an absolute night mare compared to a low or high wall..
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

The Marlin design makes it easy to remove the lever and bolt for inspection and cleaning from the breech, just be careful not to lose or break the ejector as it likes to go it’s own way when you pull out the bolt.

@RedTag
Is that speaking from experience.
My mate Greg had the same problem and had to bring it to me to reassemble. He even bought a new ejector for such an occasion at a very ext price.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

You do have a whole lot of OCD going there my friend. If you worry about something getting in your action, keep it closed and barrel down at night and storing. I own several levers and the only thing I have ever had get in the is seeds from goldenrod. Blow them out with canned air used for computer cleaning. Your rifle will tell you if there is an issue.

@MS 9x56
I have a different kind of OCD
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

In fact, that may be exactly what I need. A little Jones Underlever single in a good medium bore and I'd be willing to swear to never look at anything else.
I think I've diagnosed myself I like "simple".
This could do wonders for me....beginning search now....

@Hagler.450Ex
A nice Browning B78 ( copy of the Winchester Hiwall) simple and pure elegance.
Bob

 

[MS 9x56]

@MS 9x56
I have a different kind of OCD
Bob
View attachment 727746

I seem to suffer from the same affliction Bob. Also do not suffer fools lightly.

 

[RedTag]

@RedTag
Is that speaking from experience.
My mate Greg had the same problem and had to bring it to me to reassemble. He even bought a new ejector for such an occasion at a very ext price.
Bob

Yeah I’ve been using Marlin lever rifles since I was a kid. My first time disassembling one (full tear down) as a teenager did require a trip to the local gunsmith and a replacement ejector. That was a learning experience but no problem ever since. The design is not perfect but it’s probably the most user friendly of the lever actions.

 

[steve white]

@Hagler.450Ex
A nice Browning B78 ( copy of the Winchester Hiwall) simple and pure elegance.
Bob

Bob, I believe that is the model some good ole' boys were trying to sell me in, of all things, 8mm Rem. Magnum. Apparently it was really accurate given the shots they claimed to have made. Only thing was, I have never seen such an alligator cracked throat/barrel. It had been rode hard and put up wet for a long time.
OTOH, I wish I had not sold a commemorative octagonal barreled Winchester 30-30. It even had crotch walnut figure. Traded a bunch of stuff for it at a pawn shop. I got the itch to have something that reached out further, harder. I was so young that it never occurred to me that I could just have two guns! What? Two guns, with two kinds of ammo--who's got that kind of money....duh.