Marlin Model 9

I just picked one up today for a very good price in decent shape. Metal is amazing, wood is pretty beat up, but I can manage that. I field stripped it with instruction from the web and of course the recoil buffer was in pieces. I actually had to dig most of it out from the counterbore in the back of the receiver. Needless to say a Blackjack buffer will be on order as soon as I'm not working 12 hour days. Not really sure if I'll upgrade to the Wolff 21lb spring yet, I'll have to do more research.

Anyway, my question is regarding the magazine. I understand they came with either 12 or 20 round mags and will accept S&W 59 series mags. The magazine that came with my rifle appeared to be a 10 round mag as it is flush with the mag well. I tried loading it to see how many it could take and it stopped at 4! I took the mag apart to make sure nothing was amiss, and there's a large piece of aluminum pinned into the follower. I looked at the floorplate and it has "Marlin" and "4 shot 9mm" stamped into it.

Any idea if this is normal? Do I have an early model (sn 10882XXX)? It has an orange plastic insert in the front sight and the barrel only has "model 9" stamped on the barrel.

I figured it had something to do with hunting, Triphammer. I'm only allowed 3 shells in my shotguns when hunting here in MO.

So I finally got a chance to shoot it. I ordered 2 recoil buffers, 2 mec gar 20 round mags and a Wolff 16.5lb recoil spring. First round fired fine. Next round, just a click.

After waiting a few seconds with the barrel down range, I ejected the round. Primer had a light dent. What disturbed me most was that the case had a visible lip bulged around the base of the bullet.

My only assumption was that the chamber was oversized and the extra power of the recoil spring caused the bullet to set back and cause the brass to deform around the bullet. I probably shouldn't have, but rechambered the round and it fired. The case had straightened itself out, but you could see the markings on the brass where the lip was. I didn't think to take a picture of the before and after.

I field stripped it and checked the chamber with a live round to see how wobbly it was, an it actually was no worse in comparison to my CZ P01. Just a slight bit of looseness and no light could be seen from either end.

What do you guys think? I can possibly shoot it tomorrow and take a picture of a bulged round and the resulting spent case. Think it's safe to shoot at all or is a new barrel in order?

Toejamm: I was firing some Federal Premium 115g in the red box. I figured the light strike was debris in the firing pin channel. I didn't think to try my S&B I brought along or swap put the original 11lb recoil spring.

I forgot to mention that the face of the bolt was exceptionally dirty after only 5 rounds, as if all the gas was directed around the case. Is that normal for Marlin camp carbines?

Of the two mec-gar mags I got, one seats flawlessly, the other won't go it no matter what I try. I could not find a difference between the two. Thankfully Cheaper Than Dirt sent a return label with my order.