This is the tang screw from a Winchester Post-64 Model 94. It was a bear to get out! How do you reckon this could happen?

WinTangScrew by jakefromclemson, on Flickr

The stock was bearing on the screw and recoil caused it to bend.

Interesting! What does the front one look like? Is it some heavy recoil or impact damage somehow?

Before you reassemble make sure the holes in the wood line up with the holes in the tangs.

I would say you did good just to get it out!

Is the hole in the butt stock wood that the screw goes through oversize?,,maybe hap-hazzard drilled/filed out of round?
Maybe just oversize and the normal screw would be a loose fit.

To correct an oversize hole and loose stock/frame fit, the screw may have been bent purposely in order to pull the stock tight to the metal.
The bend in the shank swings around as the screw is turned and when it is facing forward it pushes the wood forward tight against the frame.

Can't think of any other reason for it.
Seems a bit extreme, but so are some peoples ideas of fixing things.
Bubba doesn't really need a good reason for doing things, just get 'er done.

It looks like the comical chart for screws made for misaligned holes.

But as to the original question, I don't believe recoil from any cartridge in a model 94 could do that. The only material bearing on the bolt would be the stock. That would be some hard walnut.

There is no front screw on a 94.
Yes it is curious and recoil is unlikely; but the factory would have no reason to bend a screw like this.
In fact, in order to install such a thing, the hold in the stock would have to be grossly oversize and you are lucky you didn't split the stock when you removed it.
I don't think the real cause will ever be known.

fake news

I'll post some photos of the stock. I don't see any damage. Definitely not fake news!

Winstock3 by jakefromclemson, on Flickr

I'll use a dab of Acraglas Gel where the receiver meets the stock when I reassemble the gun. I am getting a new screw from Jack First.

Winstock2 by jakefromclemson, on Flickr

We had a post-64 a year ago just like that. We figured it was recoil combined with soft steel.

thank goodness it was only the screw and nothing else that was too major....

It's quite obvious that this particular rifle was involved with blatant unauthorized use on a dangerously sloped roof.

A close look at the screw looks like its bent from the threads down??? am I wrong?

Previous owner noted as one Uri Geller!

quote:

Originally posted by Clemson:

Winstock3 by jakefromclemson, on Flickr

It may just be an optical illusion from the angle of the camera but does it look like the hole is a little egg shaped at the top?

Loose inlet tolerances, headed up on the screw in combination with the screw probably being loose too, before you decided to take it apart.
Due to the fact the screw is so bent gave the false impression that the screw was tight as you discovered at disassembly.

A more powerful caliber or more firings probably would have split the stock at some point.

Good thing you caught it.

Well, I got in the replacement screw from Jack First. The whole works went together with no problems. The gun now holds cock every time you work the lever, whereas the original problem that the gun was brought in for was the hammer falling because the sear failed to catch. The original screw was apparently dead soft. The replacement, hopefully, will last.

Dead soft? Like boiled pasta soft?

Coat hanger soft likely. The one we had was easily bent by hand in a vise.

"Everybody likes a piece of ass, but nobody likes a smart ass."

I had a guy bring in an Enfield with both front and rear guard screws like that, When I finally got t apart and looked at the inletting, it was all broken up into little shards of walnut. Probably started to go to hell when the guard screw were left loose and not checked and just continued firing it.

You guys are looking at this the wrong way. Just think how hard it would be to intentionally turn a dog-legged screw on the lathe. I've needed one a time or two to match misaligned holes from poor inletting. Never could figure out how to do this, though.

Skillage, my friend. Takes years to develop.

quote:

Originally posted by RogersGunWorks:
You guys are looking at this the wrong way. Just think how hard it would be to intentionally turn a dog-legged screw on the lathe. I've needed one a time or two to match misaligned holes from poor inletting. Never could figure out how to do this, though.

I've been known to do a little cross fit type stuff -- i have a 20# sledge, where would you like it applied?

Actually, I wonder if the screw was bent in a manner to draw the stock into the action, if “clocked” in said manner.

quote:

Originally posted by Aaron Little:
Actually, I wonder if the screw was bent in a manner to draw the stock into the action, if “clocked” in said manner.

I question how would one get it in to engage the action thread?

I had the same issue though not as severe on a post 64 model 70. Wonder how many years that 94 had been shot like that.

Those are good Rich!

George

Those are good Rich!
Would make a great wallposter.

George