Anyone familiar with a Winchester 290 .22?

[Chooie]

My in laws are on vacation this week, and while they're out, my wife and I are keeping tabs on their dogs. While I was over there, I remembered that my FIL was complaining about one of his .22's, and how "it never functioned right." He basically got it used, shot it once, it jammed, he cleared it, and then he said forget it, and tossed it in the cabinet in favor of a bolt action. I can't say I blame him, but I'd like to strip this thing down and give it a thorough cleaning.

I can't find a manual of arms online... are any of you folks familiar with this gun? I need help taking it down and getting it back together. Right now, I can barely work the action - it's fully encrusted with dry gunk.

Any help?

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Chooie]

Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

They come back from vacation on Sunday, I'd like to get this taken care of if possible.

[sheepdog]

Is this a tube-fed semi-auto? I have a Model 190 (1974 vintage). There are plastic pin(s) to drive out of the side of the receiver, then drop/pull the trigger group back and to the rear at the same time. I don't think the pin is directional. A front pointing peg/pin at the lower front of the group goes into a hole in the frame to keep it in place, so I have to pull it down and back "just right." The pin isn't removable. The trigger group comes out, and gives access to the bolt, spring (a bit of a pain to get back in!), and a plastic spring guide. ON mine, the trigger group and inner receiver would get FILTHY with .22 grime. I'm going from memory here, but can find the gun and maybe get a pic or two if this sounds right.

[TexasDuck]

I had a 190 stolen back around 1975. I wasn't too disappointed at the time because I'm a lefty and the thing ejected the casings right back into my right cheek. Oh yeah, it frequently jammed with .22LR.

[miklcolt45]

I can't find a manual of arms online... are any of you folks familiar with this gun? I need help taking it down and getting it back together. Right now, I can barely work the action - it's fully encrusted with dry gunk.

Any help?

Q How can I obtain an owner's manual for my Winchester firearm?
A Instruction manuals for current Winchester firearms and many older models are available free upon request.

Many are available here and are easily downloaded for printing. You can request one by calling: (800) 333-3288, or (800) 782-4440

If your question remains unanswered, please call our Consumer Department directly at: 800.333.3288 or 801.876.2711

[Chooie]

Q How can I obtain an owner's manual for my Winchester firearm?
A Instruction manuals for current Winchester firearms and many older models are available free upon request.

Many are available here and are easily downloaded for printing. You can request one by calling: (800) 333-3288, or (800) 782-4440

If your question remains unanswered, please call our Consumer Department directly at: 800.333.3288 or 801.876.2711

Thanks for the response, but that won't help. Unfortunately, the model/series I need help with is not available online, and ordering a printed manual would take longer than I have to work on the gun (supposed to be a surprise). Thanks again, though.

[frank]

I have had a 190 for many, many years and it is just like the 290. I don't think it has ever jammed.

Like someone already posted, pull the bolt handle straight out to remove it, push out the plastic pins on the receiver and remove the trigger group. You can then remove the bolt and a big looong spring. Those parts are probably really gummed up as most people never take a gun like this apart.

Clean up the bolt,trigger group and everything you can get to. Light lube and look for anything obviously broken. Put it back together and try shooting it to see what happens.

Unless something is broken, it should be fine after a good clean and lube.

[dr_cmg]

Chooie, if you can find anything on the 250, 255, 270, or 275 they are almost identical to the 290. They have the same parts diagram. The 150 and 190 are similar, but just enough different to require a different drawing. 290 has 79 parts listed on the drawing while the 190 only has 73.

You can find an on line schematic for the model 190 here. Click on the schematic to enlarge. Best I can do in 5 minutes.

[Chooie]

Sheepdog and Frank,

Between the two of you guys, I managed to strip it down. Once I saw how it came apart, I felt kind of silly... but thanks!

[sheepdog]

Welcome, let us know if it was just a bad case of the filthy.

[Chooie]

Welcome, let us know if it was just a bad case of the filthy.

Well, it was certainly encrusted with a rock hard layer of carbon, but after soaking in Hoppes #9 out in the sun for a good 30 minutes, I was able to break it all up. Once I got the gun reassembled, though, it was having the same problem as earlier. It is oiled on all of the sliding wear surfaces, and I gave the trigger group a thorough cleaning, degreasing, and a light coat of WD-40. The problem I'm having is that the bolt is sticking half open every single time I try to cycle it by hand - even with ammunition. I can't really go too nuts test firing this in my backyard (we're zoned for it, but I just don't want to excite the neighbors too much). Would a pic or two help? I've tried cycling it unloaded and loaded, and with and without the tubular magazine's follower in place.

[sgtD]

I have one of those in my gun safe. I have never fired it. It's the fancy model with the basket weave wood, gold plating on the trigger and safety button and machine turned bolt housing. Belongs to my father in law. He lives in IL so he stores it here with me in case they suddenly decide to ban and confiscate all semi-autos one day.

It's a beautiful little rifle. Hope you get yours working.