Recently I purchased a Winchester Model 24 side by side at a local gun show. Looked the gun over very carefully before the purchase and the elderly gentleman dealer selling has been at the show regularly. He offered a buy back guarantee if not satisfied. Bluing was very slightly worn just about the carry position, very minor scratch on the stock, bores nice and shiny. The action opened and closed with a stiffness as expected for a gun not heavily used, locked tight and no looseness in the hinge. Overall I’d rate it about a strong NRA Good to Very Good, Blue Book value is around $400-450 and I paid $300. I did everything but dry fire the gun out of respect for the dealer. My plan was to use it as a “shooter†as I enjoy the feel of a side by side. It points very nice and fits me well. The Model 24 was a plain Jane side by side only made for a short time with about 200K made. Some call it downright ugly but I like the old timers and felt it deserved to be hunted again.

Took it home, opened the action cocking, closed it and dry fired. The action is now locked closed and can’t be opened even with some gentle force on the lever or trying to break the action/barrels. I don’t want to risk forcing it open. I haven’t had the opportunity to pull the forearm off or remove the stock to see if anything looks out of place…..so……

Anybody have an idea what might be wrong and also anyone have a suggestion for a good gunsmith who I might have take a look at it. I’ll put a few dollars into it to get her shooting again.

Thanks

Paul

That's too bad Paul.

I'm not familar with the m24 specifically but I've seen this in other guns. A couple quick things to try are holding the trigger forward while you try to open it. In case the firing pin(s) are hitting the extractors/barrels make sure you hold the muzzles up when you try to open it. Obviously, pulling off the forearm and then the barrels would be the best if the other tricks don't work.

Best of luck,
kyler

I have had two winchester model 24s in 20 and 12 ga.I heard its a big no no to dry fire some doubles without something to catch the firing pins.I broke a pin in one of mine dry firing it.Gun parts carries the firing pins by the way.I would take it to a gunsmith.model 24s are going way up in value.I sold my unfired 1940 model for $800 about 4 years ago.Iy had awesome wood.The guy thought it was too high until he sold it this year for $1500.I bought a nice 20 ga model 24 last year for $550.It is one of the best shooting shotguns I have ever shot bar none.you have to unsscew the forend screws to take off the forend.I would try that then go to a gunsmith so I didnt mess it up.

Hi Everyone,
It's been a few months so I thought I would follow up with the forum on the problems with my Win model 24 per my original posting above.

Based on advice I contacted Haugh's Custom Guns and spoke at length with Jack Haugh. I found him to be an outstanding authority on all kinds of guns. We talked rifles, shotguns, hunting and shooting in general. I felt at times that I was holding him up from his gunsmithing work but he was a genuine pleasure to speak with. One of the good guys and has been working on guns for nearly 40 plus years.....

I sent my Model 24 to him and called me back about a day after getting it explaining the problems were with the ejectors locking "down". He fixed it and I had him reblue the barrels and check the action over for wear and function. No problems found. I got the gun back in about a 3 week time period and his prices were very reasonable.

I now have a beautiful, old, if even somewhat homely 12 gauge double that has had a renewal on its life and will head to the field this week.

Thanks to all the posters for their help. Old doubles are a great fascination.

Paul


Reference:
Jack Haugh
Phone: 8126543209
Haugh's Custom Guns
4421 North Old Milan Road
Milan, IN. 47031

Paul, good to hear that the gun is back functional. Even better that you have found a good, honest go to guy for repairs.