Marlin 39a jamming on feed

[Brianbac3]

So I got this first year production Marlin39a. I cleaned up the inside, regreased it, and coated the whole exterior with some renaissance wax. I took it to the range and had a great grouping at 50yds. The first 5 were in the red, then the rifle starting jamming on the start of the feeding ramp(tip of round getting sheared off and jamming up). After clearing the jamb I was able to get round to chamber, but not without it catching a little and me working the lever forward and back to get it to slip in. I’ve attached pictures of the feeding ramp and the circular piece that is near the start that has is back half towards stock slightly raised and is sharp. Is this purposely done to angle the round toward the ramp? Or is it just raised and causing the jamb?

 

[dfariswheel]

The flat steel piece is a bullet guide to guide the bullet into the barrel. It's actually made of forged steel in these older Marlin's.

The circular part is the screw that retains the guide. Look on top of the receiver and it's the small screw just behind the barrel.
CAREFULLY use a gunsmith's screwdriver to remove the screw and lightly stone the end to remove the burr.
You could also possibly wrap fine wet or dry sand cloth around a dowel rod and polish it down just enough to break the sharp edge.

Be very careful not to damage the screw slot or the threads on the screw or the guide.

 

[Crosshair]

Your bullet guide is broken and needs to be replaced. It shouldn't be that short. I'll try to remember to double check against my 39A when I get home.

Odds are you'll have to have one made. I had one replaced just a few months ago and had to have them just make one. Thankfully not a difficult part.

Edit: Did an image search and confirmed my suspicion. Your guide is too short. Here is what it should look like.

 

[Tentwing]

Yep ……… what crosshair said. You will find referred to as the “cartridge guide spring” in catalogues. Numrich’s almost always is out of them. I occasionally see them on eBay, and Gunbroker. If you run across one they don’t usually come cheap $$.

 

[Mosin77]

Incidentally this may be the reason your gun is in such nice condition. Guns that don’t feed well tend to get left in the rack while their brothers go to the field on a rainy day.

 

[Brianbac3]

Thank you all. I figured that was it after scouring the internet last night and looking at images. I just tried a quick few searches and it seems this piece might be hard to find I have a cousin who lives in the Carolina’s who fabricates for nascar. I might have to see what he can do for me.

 

[dfariswheel]

Missed that.......

Finding an original machined bullet guide will be tough, finding a later stamped part less so.

Wisner's make a replica that might fit, part 11F. I "think" the same guide was used for the 39 and 39-A........

http://www.wisnersinc.com/model/marlin-lever-action-rimfire/

Jack First doesn't list that part, but it can't hurt to ask......

https://jackfirstinc.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=374_432_68

Watch eBay and Gunauction.com

 

[Crosshair]

Thank you all. I figured that was it after scouring the internet last night and looking at images. I just tried a quick few searches and it seems this piece might be hard to find I have a cousin who lives in the Carolina’s who fabricates for nascar. I might have to see what he can do for me.

Oh they should easily be able to make you something that will work. It's literally just a length of spring steel cut to length with a hole drilled in it and the whole thing bent slightly.

 

[dfariswheel]

The hole is slightly formed outward to give room for the threads and the part needs to be threaded.
Not as simple as it looks.

I'd check with Wisner's first and get a proper part.
Their's appears to be a machined part, like the pre-1950's bullet guides were.

 

[Brianbac3]

View attachment 1081814

The hole is slightly formed outward to give room for the threads and the part needs to be threaded.
Not as simple as it looks.

I'd check with Wisner's first and get a proper part.
Their's appears to be a machined part, like the pre-1950's bullet guides were.

I emailed Wisner’s. They were very helpful and after a couple emails back and forth, they do have the part and I will be ordering it. Thanks for the help.