I bought a nice Winchester Model 50 shotgun from the local Cabelas. Should the bolt be held open on an empty chamber? total unfamiliar with this shotgun. Just an impulse buy.
Anyway here's an explanation of how to Time the action so the bolt will lock open.The Model 50 (and 59) are supposed to Hold Open after the last shot,,or when you just pull the bolt open on an empty gun of course.
When they don't it's usually a Timing problem with the mechanism.
It's not unusual for these to be found in the condition where the bolt will not lock open as it should.
BUT..
That can be adjusted.
It can also be found in the orig Owners Manual for the Gun(s) if you can find one on line. Sometimes they are in pdf form so you don't have to actually buy the hard copy manual.