I bought a Marlin 39AS that was excellent, but when I tried it out I had misfires and a very light indent on the casing rim. I broke it open and the insides looked like it had never been cleaned. The firing pin was obviously packed with crud which restricted it's free movement. I cleaned it up and flooded the firing pin groove with solvent, but I can't remove the firing pin due to a retaining lug fitted into the bolt. The firing pin now moves freely and the misfires are cured, but I would still like to remove the firing pin to thoroughly clean under it.
I tried to tap the lug out with a punch, but it wouldn't move. I don't want to use too much force. Is this firing pin retaining lug heat fitted into the bolt, or should I be able to pound it free?
Also, I understand that the firing pin on older 39A's isn't retained and is free to drop out. Would it be alright to leave the retaining lug out of the bolt, assuming I can remove it?
I tried to tap the lug out with a punch, but it wouldn't move. I don't want to use too much force. Is this firing pin retaining lug heat fitted into the bolt, or should I be able to pound it free?
Also, I understand that the firing pin on older 39A's isn't retained and is free to drop out. Would it be alright to leave the retaining lug out of the bolt, assuming I can remove it?