Model 14 / Rounds & Follower Exiting Through Loading Gate

[nambujim]

OK.........I got a private message from 45lc who by this time must think I'm a snob but I provided a lengthy/detailed response but the "site" is showing he has disabled responses for "Private Messages" ?????

So I'll take another 20-30 Minutes to pass this on so the whole forum gets to see what we're talking about. 45lc you can contact me directly:
nambujim@Charlotte.twcbc.com

45lc has a Model 14 that when he loads more than four rounds in the magazine the whole lot including the follower exits through the loading door/gate.

Since I am working here with a migraine I'll try to be brief but the "usual" cause of this is an undersize follower, the metal against metal wear along with the fact those old followers are pretty soft will reduce the size just enough to cause this annoying (but common) problem. If the follower gets worn even further, the result is that the
cartridges will pass by the stop and jam up in the receiver.

Adding to the problem is that Remington used the same basic tube for the .25, .30, and .32 Rounds while utilizing the same follower. Not a bad idea but the lesser calibers have a lot more play inside the magazine tube coupled with manufacturing variations of the inside tube diameter and the follower diameter. They actually made some tubes specifically for the "25" for a while and they are marked as such.

Its interesting in that the "original" twisty followers didn't have the problem of exiting through the loading gate but were difficult to load and you get one itty-bitty dent in the tube and they wouldn't work at all.

If the follower for the 25/30/32 is less than .435 at the largest part or "belt" on the follower you probably are going to have this problem, like I said, it is common.

My solution to this was to replace the old Model 14 follower with the Model 141 follower which being much longer wouldn't exit as easily not to mention they are about .444 in diameter and made of a harder steel. Problem is, they are hard to come by and I am out of them save one which is with a matched set of parts.

So "mic" your follower and see what measurment you come up with!

Another thing to consider is that I have had at least a dozen cases where the tube got dented, the follower wouldn't pass through it, and so the owner ground it down....................result is either it shoots by the stop or you get it exiting through the loading gate.

I don't know if I have been helpful here but I tried and apologize for whatever reason my original response didn't get back to you.

Best regards & behave!

Jim Peterson
Charlotte, NC

[45lc]

Don't know why I couldn't or still can't receive PM's but I am sure glad you gave me the scoop. I have some followers my father had on some old parts they were a little dirty. cleaned them up . Two to small but one was.438 tried in and works better. One in gun was to small dia. THANKS A LOT MAN!!!!!!!
45LC

[nambujim]

Roger that, glad I could be of help!

Jim

[45lc]

I have some machinests friends . If you could send me the measurements for the follower in the 141 maybe I could have one made. If you think that would permenately solve the problem. It would well be worth it to me. Love that old rifle it belonged to my father.
45LC

[LeftyDon]

I wonder if a Marlin lever gun's follower could be made to work? Brownell's (plus eBay and others) have them for .357 mag & .44 mag tubes.

[45lc]

Jim still can't get PM's. I used the 14 to hunt this weekend. I had trouble loading again. Would you have the loading door spring and plunger for a 30 rem. in the model 14. I would like to try to see if that would make a defference. Are they hard to change?
45LC

[nambujim]

Almost every loading door is different.......ever so slightly, just like the followers. Did you change the follower? If you did change it and it still passes by the loading door........then it may well be the loading door.

"IF" you want a follower/loading door combination that works.........by "works" I mean "do you want a follower that stops where it should which is about a third of the way under the gate" !!! If that is the case you best send me your action bar with the magazine tube attached, your current follower, magazine spring, and plug.

It may well take just a new door to make it right, it may need a new follower, it may need both, and I will be glad to do it. I don't know what I'm working with but followers are about $40, loading gates are about the same, and without sounding like a miser I can't work for free. I doubt it's both your gate and follower but I can't send you my parts to try.

You send me you action bar.....etc. I will return it to you with the follower in the proper position, and it will probably cost you $80-110 depending on how much time is involved including parts plus return postage.

If you have read my postings I have stated over and over that these guns are parts "specific", meaning one part in this case a loading door won't necessarily solve the problem, I may have to try several, and that is not a lot of fun but it is a lot of time. I also cannot guarntee how the replaced follower or door will perform when reattached to your rifle, I would need the whole rifle to do that.

Your call, must be the season for bad loading doors & followers, I've worked on two this past week alone.

Jim Peterson
nambujim@charlotte.twcbc.com

[45lc]

Will use with one in chamber and two in tube, Works well like that. Can't afford repairs now. Thanks for your input . It is nice to know people care. Merry Christmas and blessings to you and your on this Holy time of year.
45LC