Ruger Marlin 1895 - Is A Creaky Hammer Normal?

Just picked up a Ruger Marlin 1895 Trapper and am very happy with the purchase. Beautiful craftsmanship on the machining and assembly.

Question: Cocking the hammer slowly, like if you were trying to be quiet when hunting, creates a loud creaky sound, like a frog. Way loud and different than a S&W revolver and it was quite surprising to me. Is the creaking normal?

 

I have shot a few Marlins and other lever guns but never had a bad noise when cocking. Maybe it just needs lubricant. Shoot a little oil or CLP into the action and down the sides of the hammer.

 

The hammer pivot needs some oil. My new SBL also squeaked. A squirt of oil into it cured it. But I always take down a new firearm all the way. The machine work inside is superb and clean. And while in there I oiled and greased as appropriate. Also, if a little oil does not stop it on the pivot, pull the stock and oil/grease the hammer spring and strut and retaining clip.

BTW, if my 1972 JM Marlin 336 Texan goes without cleaning, the hammer will let me know with a similar croaking, skronking sound. It just wants some TLC. So when my SBL had a squeak I knew right away what it was asking of me. I guess maybe Ruger was a little to sparring with lubrication. The squeak will go away as the rifle breaks in.

While you are at it, pull the lever (see your OM) and put a little Mobil 1 grease (or your favorite gun grease) on the snail cam and also on the finger plunger. It will help these parts to break in smoothly.

With a JM and especially some of the earlier Remington models some parts needed polishing. I would refrain from that on the Ruger-Marlins, I found nothing in my new SBL and my new GBL that needed anything other than a touch of lubrication. They are near perfect.

I use Ballistol and Mobil 1 red grease on most of my guns. If you prefer CLP or similar that will do as well or better.

Your OM:



Edit to add, see that hammer coil spring and the hammer strut that sticks through the retaining clip? Sometimes if the hammer spring is dry it will make a squeaking or skronking sound as it moves over the hammer strut or the strut will as it moves in and out of that slot in the clip. Yes, lightly oil or grease those things.

 

@3Crows
Thank you!

Took the firearm down and gave it its first cleaning and all better now after oiling! "Skronking" is a great description!

During the cleaning I also found:
1) A 1.5" long laminate splinter fell out of the action so I am very glad I gave it a cleaning.
2) Both the lever and hammer screws were unscrewed several turns so I fully seated those.

Seems all good now!

 

Marlins will act up if their screws aren't kept tight.

 

Thanks, "skronking" lol!

As @351 WINCHESTER mentions, Marlins do not like loose screws and in particular that screw on the base of the receiver just behind the forearm stock. You might even put that one in with blue thread locker. It needs to be snugged down properly tight.

 

Looks like Ruger is continuing on with their storied tradition of crap QC.