Levergun feeding issues...

[LRS_Ranger]

I just got a used Marlin 1895SS for $300. I haven't gone and blasted anything with it yet, but I was cycling some ammo through it, and it it seems to have some binding issues when feeding a round from the magazine to the carrier. With the lever all the way out, the round is released, but binds about 1/2 of an inch past the loading gate, which acts as the catch as well. All that is required to free the round is to insert a key or a screwdriver in the ejection port and push the round fully out of the magazine and onto the shell carrier. The one other time it slightly binds is as it is chambering the round, and the case head slides up onto the bolt face. A good pull on the lever frees this. It only does this about once every 6-10 rounds, but it is enough that I'm not sure about follow up shots on a charging hog. I am using Hornady ammunition. We will see if it has the problems when I take it out to shoot tomorrow. In the meantime, does anybody have advice or a similar story? I have a 336 in 30-30 and it has been 100% from the get go. Thanks for the help!

 

[Abel]

Post this question, or do a search, over on the Marlin Owners forum.

 

[rcmodel]

First thing I would do is pull the lever-screw & take the bolt out and clean & lube everything.

Then, try something besides Hornady ammo.
Not that it is known to be bad or anything, but minor variations between case rims can sometimes cause problems that dissapear with another brand of ammo.

The other, other thing is, don't baby a lever-action while just play loading it.

Work the lever like you borrowed it from your brother-in-law.

rc

 

[Cypress]

My 1895g had several feeding issues when I got it. One was resolved with a new extractor(bevel was wrong and was grabbing cartridge too early). The other had to do with the lever itself. I ended up fixing this with some southern engineering after Marlin told me that lever actions weren't meant to feed when cycled slowly!!! Works great now but left me with a bad attitude towards Marlin's customer service.

 

[nipprdog]

*******

 

[LRS_Ranger]

Thanks for the responses.. I will take it apart and clean everything, and then try it with some federal ammo. It continued to have issues with 2 boxes or Hornady, no matter how authoritative I was with the lever. I hope it works out.. if so it will be the best $300 rifle I ever bought!

 

[Bear 45/70]

This is why you got the rifle cheap. Generally tightening all the screw will cure this (this happens to me if I get lazy and don't do regular maintenance on my 1895SS), unless the gun is wore out. Then send it to Marlin. The feed issue (the infamous Marlin Jam) was with the 1894. Also the rifle needs to be held upright when you cycle it, on its side will do this also. Sometimes slow cycling will cause this too.