Broken Winchester ranger shotgun - help needed

nicemustang · #1 10-13-2010, 09:23 AM

Hello all, during this weekend's hunt something happened to my shotgun. I don't really know anything about guns other than they shoot bullets LOL so I don't really know what I'm talking about. But I'll explain the situation. Gun is a older Winchester Ranger (140 I think) pump action.

We were shooting geese, 3" shells. A hunting partner gave me couple of those remmington hypersonic steel shot shells. Was shooting across from left to right (i'm right handed) and shot when it was at 65 degrees or so. Immediate pain insued from a large kick back on my shoulder, then gun was jammed. I could not open it, it only opend half way. Was actually stuck and could move the pump either way. I managed to get the fired shell out and it was still quite sticky. But now it doesn't open all the way and the part that holds/ejects/fires shell is loose and easily moves in and out. I can also hear something loose inside.

So I'm not sure what's wrong and how to fix. Is anyone a gunsmith that could look at it? Also, this gun only cost me a $150 and probablly isn't worth much more than that to me so I don't even know if it is worth fixing.

Help and advice is apprecaited. Thanks.

dewalt18 · #2 10-13-2010, 10:12 AM

Check your barrel stamp, most likely on the left side of the barrel and see what it's chambered for. Sounds to me like you fired a 3" shell in a gun only chambered for 2 3/4" shells.

Rockymtnx · #3 10-13-2010, 10:44 AM

Considering that Winchester model 140’s were produced in the early 1980’s it probably came equipped with a full choke. This being the case your gun wasn’t designed to shoot STEEL shells and you may have had too much pressure build up. The Remington Hypersonic shells are a HOT load. Trying to jam 1-1/4 ounces of STEEL down your barrel at 1700 FPS will cause you some major problems.

Also like dewalt18 mentioned. Check your gun, it is quite possible that it was only chambered for 2-3/4” loads.

nicemustang · #4 10-13-2010, 10:50 AM

Nope, it is for 3" shells. And I think it's 1400 model. Currently I have a modified choke in it at the moment of shooting. Yeah I think the loads were pretty hot that may have something to do with it for sure. Fixable?

dewalt18 · #5 10-13-2010, 10:52 AM

Anything's fixable....

nicemustang · #6 10-13-2010, 10:56 AM

Where should I take it?

dewalt18 · #7 10-13-2010, 10:59 AM

Run it through a band saw a few times and toss it in the dump. For what you paid it's not gonna be worth the cost unfortunately. Just my opinion

nicemustang · #8 10-13-2010, 11:00 AM

Arrgh. Time to buy a new one then...

32-40win · #9 10-13-2010, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicemustang

Arrgh. Time to buy a new one then...

Fraid so, there are lots of good deals around on pumps that will take 3" or even 3-1/2" with interchangeable chokesets that are designed for steel.

nicemustang · #10 10-13-2010, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 32-40win

Fraid so, there are lots of good deals around on pumps that will take 3" or even 3-1/2" with interchangeable chokesets that are designed for steel.

Really? Got a leed on any?

nicemustang · #11 10-14-2010, 08:19 AM

Its actually a ranger 120. Should really have all the facts.

UPDATE: Figured out how to get it apart (a big step for me LOL) and it looks like this. I assume that spring and ping thing is the part that is broken, so what do you guys think? Still not fixable?

catnthehat · #12 10-14-2010, 08:51 AM

I wouldn't waste the moeny on it.
For about $350 you can get a decent remington Express or Mossberg500 tha is new manufacture and will handle the newer stuff.
Cat

nicemustang · #13 10-15-2010, 08:16 AM

UPDATE: Found a qualified gun smith that is a member on the forum here that will fix it for $30. All that was broken is a screw on the action. Everything seems to be good and for $30 I'm pleased.

dewalt18 · #14 10-15-2010, 10:41 AM

Glad to hear it mustang! Cat had a good point though about a new one.... I've got the mosberg500 and absolutely love it! Cheap, reliable, and I don't worry about what I can load in in it!

nicemustang · #15 10-15-2010, 10:48 AM

Yeah, I got my finances in order and was prepared to buy a new one today or tomorrow, so I might as well still do that. Looking at the remmington 870 super mag but with remmington quality decreasing I'm a little weary.