Winchester Model 88

[RancidSumo]

I have my grandfathers old saddle gun, a Winchester Model 88 .243. It shoots great but about 3/4 of the time when I try to load the second to last round in the clip, it jams and trys to load both the second to last and the last round. Any idea on how to fix this. My first thought was that it is the clip but I don't know where to get a new one.

 

[LHB1]

If you can, replace the magazine spring. If you can't, then try stretching the spring to put more upward pressure on the rounds. I had a Rem 700 do that and the gunsmith said there was too little pressure on the rounds which let them slip out of the magazine prematurely. Stretching the spring slightly fixed my Rem 700. No more problems after that.

Good shooting and be safe.
LB

 

[RancidSumo]

How do you do that?

 

[feudist]

88 mags

hi,
i believe you can get new mags at brownells.also the 100 mag works(it'll hold the lever open after the last shot)
hugh

 

[LHB1]

If the M88 uses a detachable magazine, you will need to disassemble the mag, or at least remove the shell follower (contoured metal piece on top of spring) and then just pull on the spring to stretch it slightly. Search internet for diagrams or instructions for disassembly of mag. If the M88 uses an enclosed magazine, just drop the bottoom plate and then stretch the spring by pulling on it. Buying a new mag is good option too, if they are available as posted above.

Good shooting and be safe.
LB

 

[woof]

I would say that is probably from too much spring rather than not enough. Fully loaded the extra weight means the spring is pushing up with less force that at the last two rounds. So it is pushing that last round up with too much pop. One possibility is to take the mag apart and trim just a little off the spring. I don't know how much it may take trial and error. If that fails then you can look into a new spring or a whole new mag. I used to have a model 88 years ago, wish I had never sold it.

 

[rantingredneck]

Magazines for the Model 88 can be hard to find and expensive. My father in law bought one at a gun show a couple years ago for $55.00. Shows may be your best bet in locating one. Also the mags from the .308 and .243 versions are interchangeable if you didn't know that. Also as someone already said the Model 100 mags will work.

 

[LHB1]

"I would say that is probably from too much spring rather than not enough."

Woof,
That is what I thought too until the gunsmith proved it to me with my Rem M700 (post #2). Apparently you need a certain amount of upward pressure to keep the shells from popping out from under the mag lips. Too little pressure and the shells pop out too easily. Sounds to me like his mag spring has enough compression to work when fully loaded but when it gets down to two rounds, the spring doesn't have enough force to keep them pressed against the mag lips and lets them pop out together. Conversely, too much pressure can keep the shells glued to the lip and not let the rounds pop out at all. YMMV

Good shooting and be safe.
LB