Not sure if this is the right spot to post this or not. Mods, please move if it's in the wrong place. I'm having feeding problems with my Marlin 1894 .44 Mag. Basically the only way it will let a round out of the tube is if it's pointed straight up or at a steep upward angle. When the gun is level or pointed down the lifter pinches the case between it and the top of the magazine tube. It's almost like the lifter is coming up to soon or the cartridge is not getting pushed out on to it soon enough. I've searched and researched and found a few different examples of similar feeding issues with these guns, but nothing exactly like what mine is doing. Anyone have any ideas for me?
Marlin 1894 Feeding Problems
- Thread starter bearcreek
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rcmodel
Member in memoriam
What kind of ammo?
Factory loads?
Reloads?
Bullet type?
Lever-action rifles of all brands are very dependent on correct ammo OAL length & bullet shape.
rc
Factory loads?
Reloads?
Bullet type?
Lever-action rifles of all brands are very dependent on correct ammo OAL length & bullet shape.
rc
Wow, thats the fastest response I've ever had on here. Remington JHP and SWC hand loads. I've tried a few other ones over the years besides that but I don't remember what they were. This gun has done this ever since I got it about 7 or 8 years ago and I've only really set my mind to fixing it recently. Every type and brand I tried did this. I was thinking bullet shape didn't have a whole lot to do with this particular problem because the jam happens before the bullet is even exposed in any way. The cartridge only gets roughly halfway out of the mag tube before it's pinched and won't go any more. It's like the lifter thinks it's chambering a .45 GAP or something. It starts going up too soon.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Well then, it sounds like a funky carrier problem.
Replace the carrier with a new Marlin part.
Or try this:
http://marauder.homestead.com/files/marlin94fix.html
rc
Replace the carrier with a new Marlin part.
Or try this:
http://marauder.homestead.com/files/marlin94fix.html
rc
243winxb
Member
Check the screw on the loading gate/port , is it tight? #46 Loading spring screw. http://www.gunuts.com/images/42.gif
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Yeah, sure is. I went through and made sure everything was tight. Disassembled and reassembled the whole gun in fact earlier today just before starting this thread. Still doing the same thing.
jamesjames
Member
I had a bunch of issues with my Marlin '94ss. Thank goodness its stainless so you can file and stone and polish parts and not worry about bluing.
my carrier seemed tight, the rounds would hangup going into the chamber, then the lower end of the action seemed tight. I used pattern files to soften edges on the carrier, soften rough edges in breech area where barrel threads into receiver. I had to soften the edges of the lockup between lever and locking lug. Finally I filed on the lever detent to ease the release of the lever.
I finally have it running smooth as silk. BTW, it likes the Winchester 240 grainers (white box from Wally world) much better than Remingtons. I also found that the CCI 44 specials shot to same POA as the Winne maggies at 100 yards, for your plinking pleasure.
They can be rough out of the box or smooth, but they can be smoothed out. Its a wonderful brush gun.
my carrier seemed tight, the rounds would hangup going into the chamber, then the lower end of the action seemed tight. I used pattern files to soften edges on the carrier, soften rough edges in breech area where barrel threads into receiver. I had to soften the edges of the lockup between lever and locking lug. Finally I filed on the lever detent to ease the release of the lever.
I finally have it running smooth as silk. BTW, it likes the Winchester 240 grainers (white box from Wally world) much better than Remingtons. I also found that the CCI 44 specials shot to same POA as the Winne maggies at 100 yards, for your plinking pleasure.
They can be rough out of the box or smooth, but they can be smoothed out. Its a wonderful brush gun.
Furncliff
Member
Tuning the 1894... includes info on an improved carrier...
http://marauder.homestead.com/files/tuning_m_1894.htm
Trigger pull..
http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/basic-triggers/21382-reduce-your-leverguns-trigger-pull.html
Parts Diag.
http://marauder.homestead.com/files/Marlin94P.html
http://marauder.homestead.com/files/tuning_m_1894.htm
Trigger pull..
http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/basic-triggers/21382-reduce-your-leverguns-trigger-pull.html
Parts Diag.
http://marauder.homestead.com/files/Marlin94P.html
MANY years back I had an 1894 model Marlin in .44Mag. It did not like Remington brass, no matter if it was a reload or new. it would show the dreaded "Marlin Jam" with Rem brass...was OK with Federal or Winchester ammo.
I seem to sort of very vaguely remember that the rim diameter on the Rem brass was .01 or .02 smaller than Win or Fed. You almost had to use a micrometer guage to note the difference, but it was enough.
I seem to sort of very vaguely remember that the rim diameter on the Rem brass was .01 or .02 smaller than Win or Fed. You almost had to use a micrometer guage to note the difference, but it was enough.
I think I figured out the problem. The follower was getting stuck about 3/4 in the end of the tube. It wouldn't push the cartridge all the way out. I took the follower out and polished it up a bit and it works good now! Thanks for all the responses.
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