Marlin 81DL Feed Issues

[seew]

I inherited an old Marlin 81DL. I know they have a lot of feed issues. Mine does, too, it won't feed new shells out of the tube. I ordered a supposedly "new old stock" cartridge carrier off ebay and installed it tonight. It hasn't helped. The carrier is still not dropping low enough to pick up a shell.

Any ideas? I'm considering ordering a new front breach bolt on the theory that a new one might make the carrier push down further. Tell me if this is crazy or there are any other good suggestions. Thanks!

 

[gpb]

Is the Cartridge Guide Spring intact? My perception is that this part is prone to being bent or broken on the Marlin model 81 and related models.

Check that the cartridge guide spring is functioning or present.

 

[seew]

Unfortunately I never got far enough to need the cartridge spring guide because the shells won't pop up out of the tube due to cartridge carrier not dropping down low enough to pick up a shell. The carrier stays just a little too high so shells won't feed out of magazine into the bolt.

I'm still trying to figure it out if anyone has further ideas. Thanks

 

[Scooter22]

I have one but it works fine and never had to trouble shoot it. Couple questions. Is the lifter assy clean? Can you push down on the lifter to allow a shell to enter? Will it feed if out of the stock? How is the tube spring pressure? If it's weak or gummed up there may not be enough force to push the cartridge in. Does the lifter need to be "fitted" with a file on the leading edge to allow the cartridge to feed? Just some thoughts. Pics would help. Good luck.

 

[seew]

A fix, of sorts

I finally did what a guy on youtube suggested which is to grind down the carrier. I've attached a photo of a new cartridge carrier next to my modified one so you can see how much metal I took off. Now it feeds LR fine but jams with shorts. Hey at least it feeds something now.

In case it helps others, here are failed steps I tried before resorting to grinding:

1. Getting new front breach bolt.

2. Getting a new cartridge carrier.

3. Shimming under the magazine tube just forward of receiver to lower it slightly