Marlin Experts- Help with a Model 42 Pump...

[.455_Hunter]

I just picked-up an excellent condition Model 42 pump. I know these 1898 style guns are a bit esoteric, but this one appeared to pass all of the model specific safety tests (I thought).

REALLY DUMB QUESTION...

Do you have to press the slide release lever/button next to the trigger guard every time you want to operate the action, or what am I doing wrong?

It feeds and ejects A-Zoom snap caps perfectly.

Thanks!

 

[Hookeye]

I'd expect to have to use the release if I didn't trip the trigger.

 

[rcmodel]

I believe it has a recoil operated bolt & firing pin lock.

If you don't shoot it, and it doesn't kick, you have to use the bolt release..

Please read this carefully, and proceed with each safety check carefully to insure it is operating properly.

http://marauder.homestead.com/files/marlin98s.htm

rc

 

[.455_Hunter]

I believe it has a recoil operated bolt & firing pin lock.

If you don't shoot it, and it doesn't kick, you have to use the bolt release..

Thanks!

Re-reading the background material on these guns, that seems correct.

 

[rcmodel]

Just for the Halibut (fish).

Snap it on a snap cap.
Then bump the butt on the floor fairly hard to simulate recoil.

And see if you can pump it then????

Inquiring mind wants to know??

Thanks!

rc

 

[oneounceload]

You should be able to slap it with your hand hard enough without bumping hard on the floor and taking a chance on cracking a stock......... - just like a Browning O/U

 

[rule303]

For what it's worth, Marlin issued a bulletin decades ago recommending that these not be shot for safety reasons. Legend has it that the locking lug can shear, sending the bolt back into your face. I don't know how big of an issue it really is, but I would take it into consideration before firing.

 

[.455_Hunter]

Well,

I lubed-up the operating mechanism and tired the old hit the buttstock on the carpeted floor. About 50% of the time, I could operate the slide post-"shot", but you have to make sure that the fore end release did not re-gauge as well (button on left side of receiver). I appears that everything seems to working, maybe just a bit stiff and gummy (like I said, this gun does NOT have many rounds through it).

Its probably about time to try some mild loads, starting with the 50% Noise/Recoil Winlites and see what happens.

Let me go get my sawhorse and roll of string...

 

[oneounceload]

One would think one would be able to open the chamber to unload the gun without having to fire it...........................

 

[.455_Hunter]

One would think one would be able to open the chamber to unload the gun without having to fire it...........................

You can easily to that by pushing the recoil lock override lever. My question was whether I had to do that for every shot, and it appears not necessary if the gun gets enough of a "whack" upon firing.