New 39 owner; same FTF as Nematocyst
I have wanted a 39 for a while (and have owned a 1895 Cowboy 45-70 for about 2 years). I finally placed the order (at Wallyworld of all places), and was told that their supplier for Marlin had orders 5+ months old, and not to hold my breath. Imagine my surprise when 3 weeks later I got "the call"...
I got to take it to the range for the first time today (er, yesterday now). It shoots great, it feeds great, it feels great... but about 10% of the rounds fail-to-fire. These FTFs look like light-strikes to me. Almost all of them fired on the second load/try, but none of them fired on a second fire just pulling the hammer back and pulling the trigger again. Sadness...
I searched the web for FTF-issues, and found this thread among others...
My ammo was Federal copper-clad HPs and Remington Golden copper-plated HPs (both 550 bulk pak - it's what was on-hand and what feeds well in the 10/22 hi-cap mags). These rounds all fired just fine in my wife's Henry Golden Boy - no FTFs at all, and more sadness from me
I do not see any burrs, but have not disassembled the rifle yet.
I did clean the rifle before firing, using Break Free Power Blast to clean out the packing grease, then a light coat of CLP (maybe I gave it too much CLP?)...
I checked the take-down screw, and it seems snug. The action is stiff but smooth. The trigger is heavy but consistent.
I PM's Nematocyst, and will try some of the ammo his 'smith suggestred when I can get it...
Another note: I put a 6.5-20x50 scope on the included Marlin base. I cranked the windage all the way left and it was still shooting right. When lloking at the rifle from the front or back, it really looks like the scope is off-center toward the front, like the scope base or screw-taps are crooked... more testing here to come.
Thank you all for the great resource here, and the clearly great community this "club" represents. I just finsihed reading ~1650 posts, and am truly impressed!
Hopefully you can help me get rid of my FTFs, and maybe we can finally get rid of Nematocysts's... I look forward to the challenge!
Regards,
Bobby Wilklins