Winchester Model 74

BobD,

The Winchester Model 74 was manufactured from 1939 to 1955; those made at the very end of its production might very well have had "grooved" receivers, as that was about when they were being introduced. The M63 was manufactured from 1933 to 1958, and the later models did have "grooved" receivers.

74? Mine is not grooved

Ser#'s correspond to 1940 manufacture. My guess is any scope attachments would be sidemounts, receiver type target peepsights too - given the awkward positioning of the safety on the top of the receiver which would get in the way of scope grooves.
Come to think of it, I've never seen a 74 with a scope.

My ungrooved Model 74 was made in 1950 and has a small loading port in the buttstock. My friend's grooved 74 has a higher serial number and a large loading port. I will have to run his serial number thru oldguns.net to see when it was made.

My 74 is drilled and tapped with an old 3/4 weaver scope on it and I want to find #12 bases for 1 inch rings to put a leupold on it.
I had not looked at it in years til the other day trying to cull some of the high priced guns to make way for some more rimfires.
I thought it was a side mount but luckily its not.

More 74 questions

I know there are a few 74 experts lurking here. Mine has an odd problem which I do not know if it is unique to mine or a design flaw.

When shooting Silhouette I hold the trigger fully pulled when the trigger breaks and the gun cycles. By doing this the gun will load a new round but will not cock the firing pin. If I am able to get my trigger finger off the trigger in time (during cycle) then the FP will get cocked.

Obviously I'd like to fix this problem but the mechanicals of this gun, although simple, elude me as to how it all operates.

Any advice would be appreciated.

d7

This is a ? that only a 74 owner can answer.

durant7 said:

I know there are a few 74 experts lurking here. Mine has an odd problem which I do not know if it is unique to mine or a design flaw.

When shooting Silhouette I hold the trigger fully pulled when the trigger breaks and the gun cycles. By doing this the gun will load a new round but will not cock the firing pin. If I am able to get my trigger finger off the trigger in time (during cycle) then the FP will get cocked.

Obviously I'd like to fix this problem but the mechanicals of this gun, although simple, elude me as to how it all operates.

Any advice would be appreciated.

d7

Click to expand...

Would be interested in knowing if this is a malfunction or operational design.

The Grooved 74 does exist, and probably in the smallest of numbers of anything Winchester ever produced that way. They were grooved starting in mid 1954, and the rifle was discontinued in 1955, so not very many, and they are seldom seen. But mine had no problem with the safety since I really didn't use it.
That trigger problem may be caused by a weak or ill-installed return spring which wraps around the outer magazine tube in the stock. As well, there are other possibly more complicated problems with the sear and trigger interface. There is a screw underneath that can be but shouldn't be fooled with and this may be the source. A knowledgable (to the 74) gunsmith could sort it out and this could be a potentially dangerous condition. Make sure the GS does know the rifle, and not just say it to get your business. Not an operational design flaw, as there are thousands of these fine rifles still being fired weekly, by guys like me.

shorts only

i got a 1940 model this week and know nothing about them. this one is marked for shorts only and if anyone has a schematic or a manual they'd
be willing to scan and email me i'd be eternally greatful. are they all just .22short or did they make 'em in long and l/r too?

Short only or LR only.

But not either/or.

rim22fire thank you!

Always wanted to see one of those grooved 74s.
Been thinking bout having a 74 grooved...seems to be the easiest , nicest, and best way for scoping a 74.
Thanks
charlie in TX

Win 74 Takedown

Patience

One of the board members was kind enough to send me a pdf of a takedown guide for the 74. PM me your email and I will send it as an attachment after the M-day holiday. Enjoy your 74

thanks!

Basil_O said:

Patience

One of the board members was kind enough to send me a pdf of a takedown guide for the 74. PM me your email and I will send it as an attachment after the M-day holiday. Enjoy your 74

Click to expand...

nobody sent me one yesterday. thanks for the offer though. cleaned it up and got everything ship shape and was still having trouble with failure to fire/light firing pin strikes. took it apart again last night and stretched the f/p spring and stoned a burr off the bolt face where the cartridge rests and we'll see if that helps today. if that doesn't solve the problem i'll be looking for a new spring and maybe a new firing pin

Patience

Nobody sent a copy to me - thanks again Nobody. These are fine 22's.

hmmmmmm

Basil_O said:

Patience

Nobody sent a copy to me - thanks again Nobody. These are fine 22's.

Click to expand...

so far, thats a maybe with mine. we're still fighting the f/t fire issue. polished the f/p and guide rod. when i set a shell in the recess on the bolt the only thing that looks odd is the extractor is a short distance from the rim but that doesn't appear to be a problem as it feeds and extracts perfectly. stoned a burr off the face of the bolt thinking that would help the problem but nothing changed. usually fires the last round in the tube. but not always. any one have any wisdom for me?