yes.... that is what I was wondering. Mine is a Big Bore, top eject... not really sure about the mfg date...just sometime after 85, according to one site... I've just heard that some of the receivers are a bear to try to reblue. Do you know if that also applies to any baked on type of finishes? Any information or words of experience will be greatly appreciated...

You should be ok. Winchester started making the actions out of forged steel in '82 or '83. It's the cast actions that don't take conventional bluing.

It is a striaght foreward job. One thing left out here is very important. Put the bolt back in, before you put the wrench on the receiver. Just don't put it all the way foreward, or you'll trash the works when the extractor gets ripped off. You need to have the bolt in there to prevent crushing the receiver. I have smooshed receivers and torn off extractors, think ahead and think twice before you proceed. Good part is Winchester lever guns barrels are not very tight.

Really, the easiest way is to not disassemble the action. open it a bit and stick some cardboard, or something, behind the chamber to prevent the action from closing. Then put your wrench on.

Ok.... thanks for the good information... I was hoping it wasn't going to be a "surprise" type of situation...I'm making my barrel blocks right now... should be ready to pull the barrel this weekend sometime...