Need Help(Winchester Model 88 Lever Action)

SureShot_77

SureShot_77

New member
I took apart my Winchester Model 88 Lever action in .243 for a severely needed scrub. Now most often your advised to not take apart the complete lever assembly for cleaning. However, my father bought this gun when he was 16 and I have had it for a few years.

Needless to say, I took it apart watching closely where everything went and got to cleaning. About an hour or so later I get to start putting it back together and I can't.

So I do some research online and find some links to exploded views. Well that helps to a point, but the problem I have is keeping the parts in place while putting it in the gun and then putting the pins back in to hold it all together. So if any of you have some detailed instructions to help me out I would much appreciate it.

Here is what I have.

http://www.wisnersinc.com/exploded_views/Winc_88.htm

http://stevespages.com/ipb-winchester-88.html
 
I cant help you since I dont own one but next time take digital pics as you tear it apart. Sometimes it helps to use smaller pins to help get things into place and then replace them with the pins that belong in there.
 
Man that is a collector sorry I cannot help but I have not evenh seen one in thirty or more years. As I recall reassembly is done useing a lot of dummy pins turn the rifle top side down in a padded gun vise and go slowly
 
I might just have to drop some cash on the reprints of the manual. I do not have any extra pins laying around, so I may have to make some. Any other ideas? Some one out there has to have a manual or step by step instructions? Maybe not..

Add this to the list of "didn't quite work the way it's supposed to."

lol
 
You can use a small drill bit set for the smaller assembly pins. The 88 is a classic rifle and larger parts are rare but the pins and springs are more common. The average manual doesn't have detailed assembly and disassembly instructions further than major assemblies.

I havn't had a model 88 since 1963. I have a friend here in town that has 4 of them and is looking for more.

If your anywhere near Plummer, ID, give Mel
Doyle a call, and I'll bet he could help you out. He is a top notch gunsmith, gun refinisher, and really nice guy. He has to take them completely apart to re-blue them, and I'll bet he knows what you need to know. He used to be in St. Maries but he may have relocated to Plummer.

Mel's email: madjrd7@earthlink.net
Doyle's Gun Shop
401 Ellis Lane, Plummer, ID 83851

(208) 686-1006
 
Quote:
I might just have to drop some cash on the reprints of the manual. I do not have any extra pins laying around, so I may have to make some. Any other ideas? Some one out there has to have a manual or step by step instructions? Maybe not..

Add this to the list of "didn't quite work the way it's supposed to."

lol



You can use different diameter nails cut to length as dummy pins if need be.
 
I love the 88(I have 3)...but have never taken the levers apart. The detailed stripping does require dmmy pins...small nails and brads can be substituted, a wire coat hanger cut and ground to the correct length, and then when assembled drifted out with the real pin...

The bost I have needed to do was change out an extractor...it was a pain, and then the new part was for a newer model than I had...

I have taken a few guns back to the smith, in pieces...he laughs and charges me $25 to put them back together...

Good luck with it...pics when your done...
 
Here is a pic of the two post 64 guns...The top gun is a .243 and the bottom is a .308...both guns get hunted, and both wear Denver made Redfield scopes with the "Diamond Plex"...the .243 has a 3-9x40 and the .308 has a 2-7x40
IM001601.jpg


Very fun guns...a long time ago I had a .284 as well...but like a dummy I sold it and its gone long gone....
 


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