Well just had to try some of that new Hornady 30-30 ammo with the plastic tips. Dug out Dads' old 94 Winchester and went to the range. Once there I found this old rifle would not feed the old or new ammo. Rounds come out of the magazine ok but the load ramp lowers as soon as the lever starts to come up.

Is there an easy fix for this, or does it need a trip to the repair shop?

Thanks for your replies
Bob

As you open the bolt, the carrier and cartridge comes up and into alignment with the chamber. As you close the bolt, or, raise the lever, the carrier, being nudged by the lever, drops away from the cartridge and the bolt closes on the cartridge. At this point the carrier is back into position at the magazine tube where it picks up another round.

Where exactly does the problem occur?

How dirty is the rifle's inners. Sometimes very old grease starts to solidify with all the gunk thats fallen into into it over the years. It may just need a good cleaning...

StiffKnees

The carrier should not drop until the bolt is within about an inch of closing. The lever rides along the port side of the carrier and forces it down. Likely it is just junked up, and if you have a set of screwdrivbers made for gunscrews and are comfortable with taking it apart and cleaning it you will likely fix that problem.

Remember those screws have been in there a long time, and the heads are soft. Soak them, and use the proper fitting blade or you will be looking for a new set of screws.

Roger

If cleaning doesn't help it could be a broken carrier spring which is what it really sounds like.
The carrier spring rides over an inverted V shaped cam at the back of the carrier. It is what holds the carrier up so the bolt can pick up the cartridge. Without it the carrier will fall as soon as the bolt moves forward just as you describe.

I agree with Marc. If the carrier is dropping the minute you move the lever, then it would have to be the spring. You have to disassemble most of the gun to get at the spring. Unless you are fairly familiar with opening these up, then you might want to hire this done. This way the gunsmith will be able to make any adjustments that are necessary.

You should be able to tell if the spring is intact by opening the action. The carrier should stay down until the action is nearly open, then come up with a definate snap. If it rises slowly, the spring is not funtioning, either broken or full of dried oil and debris.