I have a Winchester 94 (44 mag if that matters), that is just a bear to cycle the action on. It is difficult to do with the gun on your shoulder, as you can not generate enough leverage. After playing around with it, I have determined that the part of the cycle that cocks the hammer is when all of the resistance is generated.

Does anyone have a fix for this ? Can the hammer spring be trimmed ? Ideas ?

Sorry double post!

A couple of thoughts, please don't be offended! <G>

So when you cycle the action with the hammer cocked it works OK? Is EVERYTHING oiled? Maybe try a different lubricating oil just to make sure. How new is the gun, have you tried oiling it and then working the action a hundred times or so? Where the hammer binds on the breech bolt, are there any burrs? It doesn't sound like the hammer spring is too strong, spend some time looking at it while cycling with the hammer held back, use electrical tape if you need to. Oh, also really clean the action to make sure it isn't junk around either the hammer or breech bolt causing excess friction and binding.

The gun is just plain old stiff to work, cartridge or no cartridge. I will add that it functions and fires fine, just stiff.

It is pretty clean, and not rusty.

When the hammer is already cocked, it is pretty smooth cycling. But if the hammer is down, ouch.

I think it was made in the late 80's, based on the serial number. It has clearly not been shot a lot, I bought it used.