New Marlin 1894 Feed Issue

[dh1633pm]

I picked up my newly made Marlin 1894 yesterday. Brought it home and introduced it to the herd. It was very happy in the rack next to its uncle an 1895G. Cleaned it up good, the patches out the bore were dark black. Today I brought it out for some shooting. Was shooting some 250 grain jacketed bullets that I had loaded to 1873 Rifles pressure levels. Out of 30 rounds fired I had two jams. The lever stuck halfway on the return stoke. Not sure if it was my loads or the rifle. A small screw driver placed on the rim and some light tapping brought it back enough to free up the action and load the rounds. Each of which went off without a hitch. My 1895G has never had a hick up or my 1892 or my 1873. Opinions? I will bring it back out on Monday for some additional shooting. Right now its in the basement for a good cleaning. I tried three dummy rounds when I got home and all cycled with no issues. Each of the dummy rounds is for a different bullet. Thanks.

 

[dh1633pm]

I guess there are not a lot of takers on this sort of problem. Old Marlin Carrier Jam problem versus new rifle. I loaded up another four dummy rounds for a total of six. Each has a different bullet type that I use with the 45 Colt. I only have one type of brass which is starline. I did clean the rifle nicely today. I grease the parts that rubbed on the bolt. Each test with the dummy rounds were successful. I guess I am back to the range tomorrow which I was going to do anyhow. Need to bring my boots so I can get a target or two up to test accuracy. I was shooting at swinging targets at 25 yards.

 

[ExAgoradzo]

Not sure what year my 1894 .357/.38Spec is. I had probs cycling the .38 Spec and so it found its way to the back of the safe. I took it out a few weeks ago when a friend bought a new gun and we each brought our .357s and .44 Mags (Yes! Finally got my new (to me) 1873 clone .44...another post!).

Started shooting and had a great time. When we were getting slim on ammo I put some factory .38s expecting frustration to ensue. Not a hitch. It dawned on me later, I may have been using my FiLs reloads those other two days I couldn't cycle them for nothing...

So, while I sympathize with you, I don't have any advice. I hope you enjoy it: I love (now) all three of my Marlin 19th Century ARs!

Greg

 

[dh1633pm]

Thanks for the response. I will watch it carefully when I go to the range tomorrow. I live close enough to the factory that I could drop the rifle off myself if found to have problems. I have an 1895G and never a problem. I too have a 1873 clone. Love it. I will also look carefully at my reloads to see if sizing or other issues could be at cause.

 

[MartinS]

Got any factory ammo? If not just be sure your overall cartridge length is right and if you were shooting semiwadcutters try some round nose with the small metplat. Shoot more before you worry about the Marlin Jam.
Good Luck.

 

[dh1633pm]

Thanks MartinS. I don't have any factory ammo. I guess I could pick up a box. I use four about four different bullet types. RNFP, SWC (not the best for the Marlin I know), Hornady XTP 250 Grain, Speer Hollow Points. The ammo with the problems were the Hornady XRP's. I have them loaded to the channel. Tomorrow I will try each of the four types. I do have two different kinds of SWC's. I will try them all. Paying close attention to feeding. I don't think it was a double feed, but I didn't look for that. A gentle tap backwards on the rim with a screw driver to free things up and then up with the level and I was able to fire.

I wanted a nice 1894 in the collection and have no issue spending what it takes to make it work the way it supposed to if you can't trust the factory to do it for you. My 1895G which I bought when I got back from the War in 2003 has been reliable beyond what one could ever expect.

 

[Dr.Rob]

The 1894 is pretty finicky about overall cartridge length. No factory ammo has ever jammed in mine but several reloads I've tried hung up like you described.

 

[Savage Shooter]

My 1894 .44 sometimes has a little trouble loading with a swc but not anything that bad.

 

[Crowman]

I had some problems feeding 45 Colt but figured out that I was short stroking the lever. Put a leather wrap on the lever to make it easier to vigorously cycle the action. Eventually feeding smoothed out with use.

 

[dh1633pm]

Thanks for everyone that responded. I did consider a lot of things. Overall cartridge length, short stroking the lever and overall length. Yesterday I clean the rifle pretty good. I oiled the action a lot with rem oil and greased the bolt. I took some fine sand paper and took the sharp edge off the lever where it pivots. I let the oil drip out over night. And then used air to get the rest out so it was clean and not an oily mess. My guess was that I had a couple rounds that may have been just a hair too long for whatever reason.

Today I took it out again. Used the same reloads as before. Had a couple times where the last bit of the upswing wasn't so smooth, but put 20 round through without an issue. I could only get to the 25 yard line at the range due to the snow. I didn't want to trudge though knee high snow to the 100 line. At 25 I was shooting a bit low, adjusted the rear site and I was good to go. I think things will be good. I have always wanted an 1894 since my dad owned one in the 80's in 44 Mag. I forgot to add that I grouped pretty well with it.

Side note on my Rolling Block in 45 Colt, no key holes with 255 grain bullets. Thanks Dog Soldier.

 

[MartinS]

Good. Thanks for your last report that resolves the thread.

 

[Bushpilot]

It's kindda hard to diagnose a jam without seeing it jam or jammed. Ditto Savage Shooter, I have a 1969, 1894 Marlin in 44 mag and while mine will feed SWCs without jamming, it isn't exactly the smoothest operation. Semi- jacketed flat points feed smoother in mine. I got my rifle out of the cabinet, chambered a round and right at the point in the lever's travel that you describe where the jam occurred, a lot is going on. The head of the case is transitioning from the lifter to the bolt face, the rim of the case is sliding into the extractor, the lifter is starting to drop away and bullet is entering the chamber. Could be caused by a lot of things but the one most likely is probably the bullet. I'd start by trying some factory loads with a different bullet profile..