Help needed with Winch. M88 feild stripping.

[Smithhound]

I have stumbled onto a very collectable firearm, a Winchester Model 88 Carbine, chambered in .284 Win. Overall I'd say 95%+. Only 7,010 of these were made in a span of three years, 1968, 69 & 70.
I want to do a basic feild strip for inspection and general cleaning, not a complete takedown, but there is a problem:
Everything online I find regarding this rifle's disassembly/takedown deals with it like defusing a thermo-nuclear device. Apparently it is a complicated mechanism, which is fine, i don't need to rebuild it, just get the stock off for a look see and once over.
Any help out there from our knowledgable members? Are there springs that will fly off to the four winds as the action is taken out? I have an old Win Model 190 .22 that has a spring held in by the stock, the first time that came apart was quite a surprise, luckily it slapped me in the face and I saw where it went.
I'll get pictures up as soon as I give it a go-over.
Thanks all,
Russ Donegan

 

[Munsterf18]

I will check my files for you when I get back in town, I have an 88 also that I bought new.

An 88 carbine in .284? Now that is a seldom seen gun as either one of those by themselves is hard to find.

Nice find.
Munster

 

[sheriffoconee]

I have a 4 digit serial number 88 that my Grandfather left me when he passed....308....
never forget when I was a teenager my Daddy and I took it apart...all the way apart....
two days later we took it in a bag to a gunsmith to put back together...it hasn't been apart since, and I am 51 years old now....

 

[Smithhound]

Thanks Munster! A cursory inspection from the outside shows it to be well kept and oiled, I just really want to get the stock off to check & clean the areas under the wood. Right now the barrel is soaking up Hoppes #9 and spittiing green patches.
Oconee, that seems to be the general concensus on disassembly of this rifle "don't". I took apart (completely) an early Colt Woodsman once...just once. That was a head scratcher.
The only thing that looks like it is holding the action on is the barrel band, but there has to be a flange or tab at the rear of the action recessed under the wood, i just don't want to go yanking on this rifle and then spend a week hunting springs.
This is indeed a rare gun, next to the .358 chambering it is just not encountered that often.
RD

 

[4570Tom]

Many, many years ago my friend took apart his M88 completely apart for a thorough cleaning. When I showed up a few hours after he started, he was still trying to put it back together. After another four hours or so (which included no shortage of cursing) we gave up, put everything in a paper bag, and dropped it off at a gunsmith. The gunsmith was able to put everything back together, but reportedly not without a lot of his own cursing. That being said, I don't recall our problems revolving around removing or replacing the stock. Given its age, its complexity, and the rareness (and value) of the caliber you have, you might want to consider consulting a gunsmith who has experience with this model. Congratulations--it is a wonderful firearm.

 

[NE450No2]

My dad had a Mod 100 the semiauto twin to the Mod 88.

I recommend you DO NOT take it apart.

Just clean the barrel with J&B bore paste.

Then spray/hose down the internal works with Hornadys gun cleaner/lube.

It leaves a dry lube behind.

Even if the gun is really dirty and it takes 2 cans to get it clean, you will be much happier, and much less stressed out.

If you damage a part or loose a part it will be very hard to impossible to replace it.

 

[Wyatt Burp]

Everytime I mention "Model 88" to my gun savvy pal who isn't a gunsmith he says, "Whatever you do don't take it apart!" That's what he got from the smith at the gunshop he worked at. Just anecdotal, but seems to jive with what others said here. I own my dad's favorite hunting rifle. A first year (1963) .284. Also dies, hundreds of brass cases, and enough factory ammo to last a decade or so. It's my prized posession. You'll see a hundred .308's before you run into a .284, but a carbine? I've never seen one in any caliber.

 

[Jellybean]

I don't have one, never seen one, but I do have a book with disassembly instructions.

From: "The NRA Guide to Firearms Assembly"
"To disassemble rifle, remove magazine and open action, checking chamber to be sure it is unloaded. Hold gun inverted with lever upward and remove forearm screw. Lift barrel and action out of stock, pivoting rear of receiver against recoil block."

It goes further, but you'd probably want the little pictures that goes with the directions.

 

[n4zov]

Just remove the metal parts from the wood and use one of the aerosol gun cleaners or brake cleaner to thoroughly clean the metal. An alternative is to order a Dunk-Kit from the Cylinder & Slide Shop:

Dunk-Kit

Be sure to relube because these cleaners remove all oil and leave metal vulnerable to rust.

 

[Bullet Bob]

n4zov has it right, I did that for a friend's back in the 80's. To get the rear stock off, unscrew the buttplate and then unscrew the big honker that screws into the back of the action. After doing that, the trigger/action mechanism is fairly well exposed. Dunked it, blew it, re-oiled it, and he's still knocking them down with that hard-kicking .308

 

[feralmerril]

I have one too, but after reading all this, I sure aint gonna mess with it. Besides mine has a limb saver pad. Mine is a 1st or secound year 308.

 

[Smithhound]

I cleaned what could be reached last night, it came out very nice, as it was nicely maintained to begin with. Just a few stock 'din'gs' 4 or 5 small blueing rubs/nicks, I mean this thing is about as good as it gets.
S/N, according to what research I've done dates it to 1967, however, the same research shows the .284 Carbine not being manufactured untill 1968.
I know very little about Winchesters, but I am an old time firearms fanatic and when i found this I knew in my gut it was rare, the seller had it seriously underpriced, I mean seriously.
I found a box of ammo today, my dealer friend let me have it for what he picked it up for as he said he would keep it 'till the end times otherwise.
This is one of the slickest actions I've ever worked, smooth as butter, the rotary bolt just 'clicks' right in. A 19" barrel with barrel band, the original magazine, marked .284. It is all there.
Got in late tonite, but will have pics up tomorrow, that is a promise.
RD

 

[Wyatt Burp]

Smithhound, I have an after market seven (I think) round Croyner Clip for my .284. Keep your eyes open for one of those.