Model 97 question

[Texas Jack Black]

 I notice that the 97 will lock up if the action is not closed fully .Is there a way to correct this ? I know slam it hard but I see  times where they do lockup and can be a  problem  to open or close. 

 

Thank You

[Fretless]

Cleaning and lubricating is a good start

[Chickasaw Bill SASS #70001]

check the firing pin retaining screw , I have seen them back out 

 

  CB 

[Texas Jack Black]

14 minutes ago, Fretless said:

Cleaning and lubricating is a good start

 Clean and very lightly lubed.

7 minutes ago, Chickasaw Bill SASS #70001 said:

check the firing pin retaining screw , I have seen them back out 

 

  CB 

 Tight

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

How is it when live firing?

[Texas Jack Black]

16 minutes ago, The Original Lumpy Gritz said:

How is it when live firing?

  Works great most of the time every now and then it will lock up if I do not slam the action shut.

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

1 hour ago, Texas Jack Black said:

  Works great most of the time every now and then it will lock up if I do not slam the action shut.

Try pushing the forearm forward when you pull the trigger.

[Chickasaw Bill SASS #70001]

check all the screws 

 

  like the one near the action loc bar , Left side of the carrier 

 ck the hook screw , does it have a slight bend ? 

 look at the carrier pin , is it showing a kink ? 

check for "gunk" buildup in the bbl extension where the extractors mate 

 

  CB 

[Texas Jack Black]

Thank you all I will do a field strip down on the 97 tomorrow

[Chicken George*]

When it does that, is the hammer slipping into half cock? 

[Creeker, SASS #43022]

Kind of out of left field - but what kind of shells are you using?

 

I recently attended a match using the "cheapo" Winchester Universal shells from Wal-Mart and had to go shotgun shell shopping for the 2nd day.

 

These shells were sized incorrectly from Winchester and were causing lockup similar to OP description.

 

2nd thing is make sure your magazine tube is fully seated into the receiver; "IF" the tube is not seated to its full depth - the forearm will still engage with the bolt hook and carrier slot but since the cycle distance is slightly off - it can cause a timing interference between bolt and carrier.

[Texas Jack Black]

10 hours ago, Chicken George* said:

When it does that, is the hammer slipping into half cock? 

 No sir ,Locks up as shell is put in chamber if action is not fully closed

[Texas Jack Black]

10 hours ago, Creeker, SASS #43022 said:

Kind of out of left field - but what kind of shells are you using?

 

I recently attended a match using the "cheapo" Winchester Universal shells from Wal-Mart and had to go shotgun shell shopping for the 2nd day.

 

These shells were sized incorrectly from Winchester and were causing lockup similar to OP description.

 

2nd thing is make sure your magazine tube is fully seated into the receiver; "IF" the tube is not seated to its full depth - the forearm will still engage with the bolt hook and carrier slot but since the cycle distance is slightly off - it can cause a timing interference between bolt and carrier.

 Double AA I will check Mag tube

[Outlaw Gambler]

Not saying this is the problem, but check the right extractor. Sometimes it will disengage from the plunger and the front tip will point downward. This causes it to not smoothly or completely slide into the slot in the chamber ring. If this is the case it can usually be fixed by replacing the plunger and maybe the spring.

[Texas Jack Black]

4 hours ago, Outlaw Gambler said:

Not saying this is the problem, but check the right extractor. Sometimes it will disengage from the plunger and the front tip will point downward. This causes it to not smoothly or completely slide into the slot in the chamber ring. If this is the case it can usually be fixed by replacing the plunger and maybe the spring.

 Thank you

[Newt Ritter]

Do everything everybody said.  If all of that doesn't work, remove the wooden forestock.  In D and E models that requires a special tool to get the metal end off, but you can usually rig something up.  Once it's off, you will see a metal band welded to the loading tube, with a compression spring just below it.  Take that spring off and grind it down a bit (on the edges) to make it narrower.  That means that when you close the action it takes a little less force (or actually that the distance required to get a full close is a very tiny bit less), but that usually means that whatever action or force you have been using when closing the action will now probably be adequate.  At least I've found that to work with two of my model 97's and one of a friend's.  As I tell folks, with the 97 if that doesn't work try praying or cussing, whichever seems to work best for you.

[Texas Jack Black]

52 minutes ago, Newt Ritter said:

Do everything everybody said.  If all of that doesn't work, remove the wooden forestock.  In D and E models that requires a special tool to get the metal end off, but you can usually rig something up.  Once it's off, you will see a metal band welded to the loading tube, with a compression spring just below it.  Take that spring off and grind it down a bit (on the edges) to make it narrower.  That means that when you close the action it takes a little less force (or actually that the distance required to get a full close is a very tiny bit less), but that usually means that whatever action or force you have been using when closing the action will now probably be adequate.  At least I've found that to work with two of my model 97's and one of a friend's.  As I tell folks, with the 97 if that doesn't work try praying or cussing, whichever seems to work best for you.

 Thank you Newt. I hope you are doing well Still shooting those Schofields?

[Idaho Gunslinger]

Looks like Newt mentioned this already but I was told by a good cowboy shooting buddy that there is a spring in the end that looks about like a split lock washer at the end of the fore grip. This controls that lock up and it can be modified slightly to reduce the force needed. He said the recoil of live fire generally compresses it and unlocks the gun, but during dry fire it may cause some problems. Once my wife and I got used to the force needed to unlock it during dry fire it has never really bothered us so I've not bothered to modify it. 

 

In my wife's case it's probably a good thing to encourage her to run the pump hard during dry fire like she should during live fire to keep her speed up. 

 

EDIT:

I believe it is part# 16 on this diagram.

This is a good break down video of the 97.

 

[Ranger Dan]

I have had this same issue. Gun locks "closed" but isn't actually fully closed and you can't pull the trigger. what I found is the extractors hitting the rim of the cartridge instead of easily going around it. Some filing on the left and right extractors cleared it up for me. Also noted that it doesn't usually do this when feeding from the magazine because the shell slides up behind the extractors on the bolt face preventing the extractors from catching on the rim. 

[Idaho Gunslinger]

16 minutes ago, Ranger Dan said:

I have had this same issue. Gun locks "closed" but isn't actually fully closed and you can't pull the trigger. what I found is the extractors hitting the rim of the cartridge instead of easily going around it. Some filing on the left and right extractors cleared it up for me. Also noted that it doesn't usually do this when feeding from the magazine because the shell slides up behind the extractors on the bolt face preventing the extractors from catching on the rim. 

In the case I mentioned above, I can pull the trigger and the hammer will drop. I just can't pull the pump back after unless I push the pump forward with more force. You'll usually hear a click when you push the pump forward letting you know the action unlocked and you can pull the pump back now. 

 

If you can't pull the trigger you have something else going on like Ranger Dan mentioned.

[Lazy Eeyour]

There use to be two companies one made the action slide hook and the other the retaining screw, both out of modern steels. I believe both are now out of business. It seems company took over making them. Perhaps some one here knows who is the current supplier.

 

Try pushing the bolt forward with your thumb. Run the bolt as a sludge-o-matic, oiling the slide hook.

[Scrub Oak Willie 53737]

online outpost , has the HD LH extractor and the hook screw 

 

willie

[Newt Ritter]

Yep, still shooting the Schofields.  I've got more of them than I need - like need has anything to do with it anyway.  They seem to work slower as I get older, I wonder why that is?  Same for the 97's.

[Rough 'N Ready Rob]

On 7/14/2024 at 9:25 AM, Newt Ritter said:

Do everything everybody said.  If all of that doesn't work, remove the wooden forestock.  In D and E models that requires a special tool to get the metal end off, but you can usually rig something up.  Once it's off, you will see a metal band welded to the loading tube, with a compression spring just below it.  Take that spring off and grind it down a bit (on the edges) to make it narrower.  That means that when you close the action it takes a little less force (or actually that the distance required to get a full close is a very tiny bit less), but that usually means that whatever action or force you have been using when closing the action will now probably be adequate.  At least I've found that to work with two of my model 97's and one of a friend's.  As I tell folks, with the 97 if that doesn't work try praying or cussing, whichever seems to work best for you.

What Ritter said.

   You mite try this, put the spring in the vice out at the end, opening out to the side spit up, put a screwdriver though the opening pulling back closing it a little, this does the same as grinding but not as much work. this has worked for me on many 97.

[Gateway Kid SASS# 70038 Life]

On 7/14/2024 at 10:25 AM, Newt Ritter said:

Do everything everybody said.  If all of that doesn't work, remove the wooden forestock.  In D and E models that requires a special tool to get the metal end off, but you can usually rig something up.  Once it's off, you will see a metal band welded to the loading tube, with a compression spring just below it.  Take that spring off and grind it down a bit (on the edges) to make it narrower.  That means that when you close the action it takes a little less force (or actually that the distance required to get a full close is a very tiny bit less), but that usually means that whatever action or force you have been using when closing the action will now probably be adequate.  At least I've found that to work with two of my model 97's and one of a friend's.  As I tell folks, with the 97 if that doesn't work try praying or cussing, whichever seems to work best for you.

And don’t forget the Michael Jordan imitation…. holding your tongue just right!  
Regards

    

Gateway Kid

[Rough 'N Ready Rob]

20 hours ago, Gateway Kid SASS# 70038 Life said:

And don’t forget the Michael Jordan imitation…. holding your tongue just right!  
Regards

    

Gateway Kid

And like the saying goes, run a 97 like you hate it.