Winchester 1897 Ejector Pin Problem

[Chewey]

I have an 1897 that gave my son some grief last weekend. After the first shot on his first stage the bolt assembly failed to travel far enough to the rear to allow the spent hull to eject. After getting it taken apart at home it seems that culprit was a wobbling extractor pin that was no longer pressed tight to the receiver. In looking at the pin that fits into the receiver it looks like it is slightly bent and no longer looks like a perfect “T”. In looking at the hole it fits into it seems that it is now an oval on the inside of the receiver. Before pressing in a new extractor pin, I wanted to see if anyone knows if the hole should be slightly oval or not? If if it should be straight, any suggestions on how to go about getting it repaired?


Below are a couple pictures of what seems to be a deformed ejector pin hole as well as a picture of the slightly bent old ejector. Thanks in advance for any advice you all may have!

 

[Mongo59]

Those are press fit and the hole should not be oval. No easy fix in my mind, maybe someone else has an idea.

 

[Leadeye]

You might try taking a center punch and strike it on either side of ends of the oval hole to close it up some, then a flat punch to flatten any burrs raised by the center punch. Another approach, the pin itself isn't a complicated part and might be made with a somewhat larger stem. Model 97 Winchester are great guns but aren't really high value so investing a lot in receiver repair may not return unless the gun has sentimental vale. Best of luck.

 

[Chewey]

Thanks everyone!

 

[Mongo59]

If you HAVE to save this receiver: Get a new ejector, put masking tape on the outside of the receiver over the ejector hole. Put the new ejector pin into the hole from OUTSIDE the receiver and tap to seat. (The tape is to decrease the possibility of marring the finish.) Using a long nosed punch, small hammer and a firm working area lightly tap the metal back into place seating it around the tip of the new ejector pin. The metal wasn't removed, only moved. Go slow making sure not to increase the width of the rail it sits on. You can't get a straight/perpendicular blow to the area from the ejection port, but it can be done. Remove the ejector from the outside of the receiver. You can "chase" the hole with the chuck end of an appropriate size drill bit to remove burrs and allow easier installation from the inside of the receiver. Remove tape.

Good luck.

 

[Chewey]

Thanks!