When I was a kid, my Dad had a 1906 Model Winchester and then bought me a brand new Model 270 Winchester. With some work on it, which I will describe, my new Henry Pump 22 LR operates easier than the 1906 but not quite as easy as my 270 did. However, I am remembering over 45 or so years since the last time I used either one of the earlier guns.
Before ever firing the Henry, I cycled the action many times. For the first forty or fifty cycles, the action seemed rough, then smoothed out. At around 180-190 cycles, the action stuck and it was all I could do to get closed. I thought I had turned the forend a bit wrong, but a couple strokes later it stuck again. At that point I stopped and took the rifle apart.
I found the bolt stuck in the action cover and gently worked it free. There was a lot of black around in the works, which I think was either finely ground up black paint or whatever other finish was on some moving part. I did not take the rifle apart before operating the action so I do not know where black paint could have been on sliding parts for sure, but I did notice the action slide bar. I did notice some of the black finish, which looked like large crystal magnetite, was worn off in a long strip on the outside surface. I do not think this was the only culprit but cannot specifically spot another item.
I cleaned the gun and got out all the black residue I could, then oiled everything with traditional gun oil (mineral oil I think). After putting the gun back together, it cycled very smooth and easier than before.
Since that time, I have taken the rifle to a range three times and have shot about 300 rounds through it. After each time, I have taken the rifle apart and cleaned it. There are now two shiny strips on the outside surface of the action bar, along the two long edges. There is now a shiny spot on the inside surface in the middle, maybe a quarter of an inch in diameter.
As the action wears in, it seems to get a tiny bit smoother each time after a cleaning.
I think cleaning often and reasonable lubrication of all the parts that can slide against something is very important for this rifle.
I am having a really good time with the rifle and am glad I bought it. I have more to say about the rifle, why I bought it, some of the design choices as I see them, but will save that for later.
Bill Steen