Marlin M60 Failure to Feed Question

[invictus82]

Well, the title pretty much sums it up. I have a Marlin model 60 .22 and have been having some major problems lately with failures to feed the ammo. No failures to eject or failures to fire, just feeding. The slide seems to miss the rim and bite into the brass casing instead. It seems to jam about every 2 or 3 rounds, with various kinds of ammo (bulk bricks and nicer stuff). I've pulled it apart and cleaned it well/made sure all the springs were seated correctly, etc. I may have over lubricated the components, but I'm not sure--I've read that the M60 should be kept pretty dry as far as lubrication goes, and if you do need to apply something, that graphite works better than oil. I'm going back to the range in a week or so and wanted some tips on what I might try to solve this problem.

Thanks all.

 

[Mauserguy]

Mine jams alot with the cheap bulk pack ammo, particularly Remmington. The Federal bulk pack is okay, but not great. CCI is the best for my Marlin. Also, she likes to be clean and well lubed. My guess is that your ammo is just too weak to cycle the action reliably. Good luck.
Mauserguy

 

[jmr40]

Check the tube magazine and make sure it is not loose. One of the downsides to the tube magazines is that after they get a lot of age on them they wear out. With a detachable mag gun you just buy another magazine.

I have an old one that has not fed reliably for years because the tube no longer fits correctly. I'm sure it could be fixed, but it is just not a high priority to me at this time.

 

[LemmyCaution]

Sounds like the feed ramp is worn out. That's the two part cast aluminum piece. Mine has a similar problem- the cartridge rims jam in the feed ramp, instead of sliding up into the chamber. The bolt pushes the cartridges straight forward, instead of up and forward.

It also sounds like your lifter spring is weak, if the bolt is slipping by without picking up the rim.

Marlin sells a package of lifter, lifter spring and feed ramp as an upgrade to the older versions of the M60 that is significantly cheaper than buying the three parts separately. I believe Brownell's has the best price on the kit.

 

[Gord]

If you can find a link to that kit I'd be much appreciative as I have an inherited Marlin 60 which is pretty well useless due to having this problem as well.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

CCI is the best for my Marlin. Also, she likes to be clean and well lubed.

Sounds like the feed ramp is worn out.

The answer to your problem is in one or the other of these two responses. Do a complete cleaning and LIGHTLY lube. Use QUALITY ammo (such as CCI mini-mags). If your problem persists replace the feed throat.

 

[45Fan]

My 75C (carbine version of 60) is very picky about what ammo you feed it. So far CCI velocitor seems to be the best.

 

[LemmyCaution]

If you can find a link to that kit I'd be much appreciative as I have an inherited Marlin 60 which is pretty well useless due to having this problem as well.

Here it is.

And here is another vendor for it with more details.

 

[Gord]

(links)

Thanks! I must have glossed over it on Brownells - I searched "Marlin 60" and didn't see anything related to the feed ramp or throat in the results. Now I can finally get that 60 working again without the intermittent jams...

ETA: So while bumming around Numrich I noticed they finally had springs back in stock for the Savage 64... double thanks!

 

[LemmyCaution]

Thanks! I must have glossed over it on Brownells

Actually, it doesn't come up in the search results on Brownell's site. I had to set the Googly on it.

 

[invictus82]

Thanks, everyone, for the advice. I'll look into each of your suggestions and report back what I've found. I'm leaning toward either the magazine tube (which is a little loose) or the feed ramp.

 

[clone]

First, I would clean the inner magazine tube. If it gets to dirty it will catch/bind and not push the rounds into the lifter. Second, about every 8,000 to 10,000 rounds I have to completely disassemble the lower to do a detailed clean. Normally I would just blow it out with an air compressor and get what I can with a q-tip and Hoppes #9.

As far as lube goes, I clean mine with Hoppes #9 an wipe with a rag, thats it. That leaves enough of a oily film to run through about 2 boxes of the Federal 550. I don't use more than that unless I am planing to store it long term.

 

[peabody]

brake cleaner, and CCI mini mags, mine loves em' ..

 

[clone]

Brake cleaner can actually damage the buffer, I would recommend not using it unless you remove the buffer first.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Brake cleaner can actually damage the buffer

I won't argue with this but I have never experienced any damage from brake cleaner. It doesn't harm rubber boots on brake calipers or wheel cylinders.

 

[CZguy]

Quote:
Brake cleaner can actually damage the buffer

I won't argue with this but I have never experienced any damage from brake cleaner. It doesn't harm rubber boots on brake calipers or wheel cylinders.

I've been cleaning model sixties with brake-cleaner for years and haven't had any problems.

I imagine that I'll continue to do so unless a problem occurs.

 

[LemmyCaution]

doesn't harm rubber boots on brake calipers or wheel cylinders.

True, but the buffer in an M60 is nylon, not rubber, and will become brittle with exposure to brake and especially carb cleaner. You won't notice any visible damage, but then suddenly your buffer will crack into pieces under recoil and jam up the action. Been there. Done that. It will also become brittle with exposure to UV radiation. If you keep parts around, keep them in a cool, dry, dark place.

 

[CZguy]

Thanks LemmyCaution, that's good to know.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

suddenly your buffer will crack into pieces under recoil and jam up the action.

I've experienced that same problem with Browning BAR buffers that never saw brake or carb cleaner so I'm not sure that is what causes it. Each person will have to make his own decision whether to use it or not. For me it's just fine.

 

[rangerruck]

yeah, I would avoid brake cleaner in the action; I have known many a dudes buffer break into pieces. I also agree with the feed throat assy; but whether you get it at brownells, numrich or whoever, make sure to have your model number and serial number handy. the reason is , there is a couple of differing styles, and they need your serial number to get you the correct style. I also agree that your feed tube should be smooth and clean. Last thing to check is the ejector spring; it needs to be shaped correctly, and sitting in it's little perch. If it is not, then it will drag on the bolt as it moves rearward, and slow it down enough to mess up your ejection maybe, and to deffinitely screw with your next round's feeding.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Of course there's always my favorite, hot soapy water and compressed air.

 

[LemmyCaution]

I did a bit more research about nylon and solvents:

I was wrong about carb cleaner. It should be OK to use on nylon, as its active ingredients are methanol and acetone, both of which are safe for nylon, and contains no chlorine, as that is not combustible, therefore you do not want it in your carburetor.

Chlorinated brake cleaner is what you should avoid using to clean the action of an M60. The chlorine acts as a catalyst in the hydrolysis of nylon and will cause it to exhibit corrosion stress cracking.

Also avoid all acids, such as found in common citrus degreasers. Acids will also catalyze hydrolysis.