O.K. what did I screw up on my Win. 94?

[bmw2]

I have a late fifties Winchester 94, I haven't even shot it yet as I wanted to give it a good cleaning and lube. I noticed the screw/plug that is missing in the photos was loose and took it out with the intention of putting some lock tight on it. Now it wont go back in and it looks like the threaded piece it would screw into is no longer lined up with the hole in the reciever. Also when the trigger is pulled the hammer doesn't seem to have much force and has some play in it once down.

What did I do? Also, I can't seem to get the screw out that holds the butt stock on, it turns a small amount left and right but won't budge past that. What's the best way to go about getting it out if it's stripped? should I just drill it out? I have proper gunsmithing screwdrivers and a set of taps and dies.

[sadsack]

bmw2: The screw that you removed is the hammer spring screw. The stock screw is in the top tang. You'll have to remove the stock to reinstall the hammer spring screw, the spring is threaded to accept it.

The stock screw may be bent a little from recoil, but it should turn with a little more torque on the screwdriver. Just make sure to use the correct size screwdriver blade.

[bmw2]

Should the hammer spring screw be tightened down all the way? I only ask because it was so loose to begin with.

Thanks for the help.

[James K]

Yes, tighten it down. It is a spring retainer, not a strain screw.

A general note: Many folks look at the M1911 pistol and think all Browning designs were made to be easily taken apart. Not so. The Army twisted JMB's arm to get a pistol that could be detail stripped without a workshop.

The Browning civilian designs are complex and not really meant for working on by the user.

Jim

[bmw2]

Thanks a lot, much appreciated.