First post ! Marlins

[boikman]

I just signed on and already like what I see....
The only area I haven't dabbled in yet is gunsmithing.I do minor repairs but nothing more.Is there an organization i should join that will help in my learning curve? I own mostly milsurps but just acquired an 1889 Marlin in 38-40...it needs some tweaking like a hammer spring and maybe some screws, pins, etc.
I know, don't bubba it ! Leave to the professionals?
Suggestions welcome....

 

[mnrivrat]

Since no one else has gotten to this yet I guess I will throw in my 2 cents worth.

I'm thinking you have a deep desire to do this yourself and why not ?
I would start by finding a parts drawing of the Marlin and study the relationship of the parts to each other. By viewing the gun and the drawing you should figure out how the mechanism works and the parts relate to each other before you proceed with dis-assembly.
Better yet is to find a tear down procedure as they are published in various soft cover book form.
Then make sure you have the correct screw drivers to properly fit the guns screw heads, as well as whatever other small tools you will need. (punches , etc.)
Go slow - observe each step carefully as you proceed - think before you take each step. Don't force anything !

I have every confidence you can do it !

 

[boikman]

I would like to do more work on my rifles,etc. Is there a good place to start , like books to buy, C.D's on gunsmithing and good basic tools to start with.....
Is ther some organization to join to get good info,etc.
Numrich has what I need as far as replacement parts and a good exploded view...
It's when I get to disassembling a lever action it could get a little hairy, I think....is there a good book on this ?

 

[mnrivrat]

I guess what I would recommend is making contact with Brownells, Inc. I do not have their latest catalog but have them at 200 South Front Street, Montezuma, Iowa 50171 and at a phone number of (515) 623-5401 . They may also have a web site but I haven't checked.
They provide via catalog order pretty much anything a smith needs including books such as the Firearms Assembly & Disassembly Manuals. These manuals take you through the diassembly with pictures and step by step instructions, and also give you re-assembly tips.
I can't think of any organization that I can give you info on that can help. There are a number of gunsmithing schools and maybe some of them have home study courses. A list of schools is provided in the Brownells catalog.
All hand tools you may need can be purchased out of this catalog also. For you Marlin project I think all you would need other than normal basic tools is a good set of gunsmith screw drivers so you don't mess up the screw heads. (also cleaning the slots of the screw heads will help before you apply the driver)

 

[Traveler]

Work on it yourself, at least as much as you can.

For a good book on that Marlin get a copy of "Gunsmithing Guns of the Old West".

For a good video that will show what you need, check out the American Gunsmithing Institute. They now have a course on Marlin lever guns.

 

[boikman]

Thanks !!

I have Brownells catalog so that's a start...I'll look for that book and a good set of gunsmithing screwdrivers....isn't this great...I can spend some more money, phew...I thought I might have to stop

 

[mnrivrat]

Whatever manual you buy make sure it covers the Marlin your starting with.

Good news is that after the screwdrivers mostly just plain old hardware store hand tools with take care of most do it yourself stuff.

Good Luck and don't worry abought the money - you can always get more tomorrow !

Happy Trails !!!!!