Long time lurker, first time poster here, hoping to get some advice. I recently bought a new production Miroku/Winchester 1866 in .45 colt.
I examined the gun upon arrival, but didn’t notice that the forend wood was loose (moves back and forth slightly along the barrel) until I got home and had the chance to handle it more. After doing some research it looks like this happens a lot with lever action rifles, and some even claim it helps with precision to have a loose forend, but seems to me for a high end lever action rifle, the parts should fit snug without affecting aim. I’m not an experienced gun smith, but hoping to get advice on a fix. Your help is appreciated!
I examined the gun upon arrival, but didn’t notice that the forend wood was loose (moves back and forth slightly along the barrel) until I got home and had the chance to handle it more. After doing some research it looks like this happens a lot with lever action rifles, and some even claim it helps with precision to have a loose forend, but seems to me for a high end lever action rifle, the parts should fit snug without affecting aim. I’m not an experienced gun smith, but hoping to get advice on a fix. Your help is appreciated!