Marlin 1894 problem

[Awsomepossum]

Hello,
I bought a used Marlin a couple weeks ago, along with some 44mag reloads. My problem is that the 44mags get stuck on the rim between the loading spring and frame , when trying to load. Anyone have any thoughts, I think this might be a reloaded ammo problem, stemming from to much OAL on the cases.

 

[MEHavey]

Can you give us a picture? (Right now I can't figure out whether you mean the
spring plate won't depress enough to clear the side of the case as it angles in,
or some edge on the assembled cartridge catches on the feed port edge.)

 

[Jimfern]

It may very well be the ammo. I've got the same rifle and Keith 255 grain SWC rounds will not cycle, but other shorter bullets are fine. I have thought of trying to load the Keiths in 44 Special brass, but haven't tried yet. Good luck.

 

[Salmoneye]

First off...

I won't fire someone else's reloads...

Secondly, as mentioned, I am not sure where you are getting hung up; ie. loading or trying to cycle a round...

 

[Awsomepossum]

hangs up on loading into the mag tube

 

[MEHavey]

I've got the `94 in 45 Colt. Assuming the same receiver/loading gate design for
the 44 and the 45, I have no problems with either my
- Lyman 255gr (#452424) OAL=1.60"
- 340gr LeadHead at 1.66"



That's why I asked where things were hanging up -- along the case side or at some leading edge.

 

[Awsomepossum]

The rim of the case.

 

[MEHavey]

Classic.

When loading single rounds, the loading gate needs to be pressed fully/further down w/ your finger at the same time as the case head is clearing the gate edge. (Case always stops on the rim if just simply pushed forward into the magazine -- a pain, but that's the way it is.)

When loading multiples, leave the first case as you show it still hung up on the rim (if not actually ¼" still remaining out) then use the next bullet nose to press the fully gate down while simultaneously using the nose to push the first bullet fully in...



Repeat this sequence (next bullet pushes gate down/previous bullet in) for each succeeding cartridge til the last -- then push the loading gate fully down with your loading finger/thumb while pushing the last bullet fully in.

.

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

^^^^^ This is the correct answer. When I first bought my 1874 in .357 Mag I had problems with the rimmed base of the cartridge catching until I learned this method. The gate has quite a bit of spring pressure against it when they are new but after a few thousand rounds it isn't so bad.

 

[Salmoneye]

Some people advocate taking the loading gate out and relieving some of the metal on the back side in order to 'soften' the springiness...

I am not one that recommends that...I recommend getting used to loading with a tight gate...

And keep the gate screw tight, or you will find a whole new set of problems...

 

[CaliCoastie]

first things, ditch the reloads. Unless you trust the guy 1000% and then some. then try the rest with factory ammo.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I agree you should not use reloads you didn't load and it seems MEHavey has solved the problem already...

 

[Rodman579]

you can also shorten the magazine tube spring to make it easier to load. the spring is grossly overpowered. it will not cause any reliability issues when running the rifle.

 

[243winxb]

Is the loading gate screw tight, if that model has one?