Marlin 30-30 Lever Action Jam

[coach39]

Recently, I purchased a Marlin 336C 30-30 lever action rifle. I put two cartriges into the magazine chamber and the gun jammed when I tried to work the lever. The lever locked in the open position and would not close. This left me with a locked up gun with live rounds in the gun. I had to disassemble the lever remove the bolt to free up the rounds. The gun worked for a couple after this reassembly for a couple of rounds and then locked up once again. I returned the gun and exchanged it for another new gun. I purchased two Snap Caps and tried to process the rounds through the action. Once again the gun jammed with a locked up lever. I had to disassemble the lever and bolt to free up the snap caps. I returned the gun to the merchant once more and received a refund. When I called Marlin about the difficulty they suggested that the loading gate which never repositioned properly in either gun might be the problem. I really like the lever action guns made by Marlin, but I am leary about repurchasing another one. Has this happened to anyone else? What did you do about the problem?

 

[JAV8000]

My model 1895 45-70 did this too. I found that I wasn't fully loading the rounds in the magazine. Make sure they are fully seated in the mag, otherwise this malfunction can occur. Just press them in and make sure they snap back some, that way you'll know they're fully seated.

 

[GuysModel94]

I had the same problem (once) that JAV had, once i ensured the rounds were fully pushed into magazine it worked fine; got home and oiled the mag. gate and lever. The post 64 Model94's are still reasonable and great guns (own two). I also own a Model 336 Texan (straight lever) and like you love the lever actions!!! Don't give up on them..

 

[Sunray]

Hi. What ammo? If two rifles do the same thing, there's likely something wrong with the ammo. Mind you, you may be operating it incorrectly too. Did you clean either of 'em before going shooting?

 

[Abel]

The Marlin 336 jams from either the loading gate catching or the lever not making good contact with the carrier. It can be fixed.

http://www.marlinowners.com/forums/index.php/topic,40263.0.html

 

[Badlander]

Are these new rifles?

 

[macadore]

I had a new 1894 that did this. When that happened, shooting was over because it required more tools than I normally carry with me to clear the jam. I didn't keep it long.

 

[svtruth]

I had a Rossi

in .44 and it worked better if the lever was jacked with authority, if you did it slowly it would often jam.
Good luck.