Marlin 1894 "jam"

[waco]

So. As some here may know, my 1894 Marlin 44 mag has been out of commission for some time. The dreaded Marlin "Jam"
I finally decided to do something about it. I was tired of having a great little lever gun sitting useless in the safe.

I ordered a nice little set of Magna-Tip screwdrivers from Brownells and a new carrier from Midway USA

I have never taken my rifle down to the level that this chore requires and to say I'm a bit nervous about it is an understatement.

I'll video the whole disassembly for reference and to make a YouTube video out of the whole experience.
If any of you guys want to send me some pointers and tips before my parts get here that would be AWESOME.

 

[Brad]

Give me a little time and I will get photos of the repair I did on my 32-20 to cure just that problem.

 

[creosote]

You'll be surprised how simple it is.
I think Pecos? Has instructions. Ill see if I can find them and link it. If I can figure that out.

 

[Ian]

McPherson's book is a good one to have. Paco's leverguns site has some good articles on the Marlin tweaks and tunes as well.

 

[Pistolero]

Ian, what exact book are you referring to "McPherson's bool"? I did a quick look online
and found a "Accurizing the Factory Rifle" book......for $100 for a used paperback copy??!!

 

[Pistolero]

OK, found another "one', apparently about four different books with same title but
Part 1, thru Part IV. I assume this is what you are talking about. What is the story
on the parts?

Bill

 

[Brad]

Accurizing the Factory Rifle is a great book. Very detailed information, tons of photos.
I am going to try and get a video made for Waco this week. I can completely strip, clean, and put back together a Marlin in under 30min easily.

 

[fiver]

type 'marlin owners forum' in your google search.
you'll find out more about marlins than you'll ever want to know.

 

[waco]

Accurizing the Factory Rifle is a great book. Very detailed information, tons of photos.
I am going to try and get a video made for Waco this week. I can completely strip, clean, and put back together a Marlin in under 30min easily.

WoW!Thanks Lamar!

 

[Wasalmonslayer]

I am looking into this as well
My 1894 has not jammed yet but has developed a hitch where you have to double clutch the lever.
Thanks for all the info and that marlin site is something else for info

 

[fiver]

the double clutch is from the rim of the case not sliding under the extractor this causes the round to hit to roof of the chamber and cause the stoppage.
the double clutch is allowing the rim to slide in place and roll over into the chamber and feed.

the fix is simple enough.
look for a burr on the face of the extractor.
if none is found you slide the tip of a flat blade screw driver under the extractor to move it a tick.
try a round or two.
slide the blade in just a touch further.
try again.
if you see a burr there you have to pull the bolt and the extractor, and clean it up with a small file.

 

[Wasalmonslayer]

Thank you for the info fiver
It will be after hunting season before I can tackle it.
If you don’t mind I may pm you for info when I get close to starting the project.

 

[fiver]

that marlin owners site is where I first met Ranchdog,, not even gonna guess how many years back.
but they had a pretty good casting/reloading section back then.
that lead me to being one of the founding members of is Rossi owners site.
[I don't go to the LEE site he has]
you can probably guess I like to shoot lever guns.

 

[Wasalmonslayer]

I love lever guns as well.
They are a true pleasure to shoot!
My first gun handed to me by father was a Winny 94 in 30-30.
I have shot that gun so much it’s scary!
The action is velvet smooth from use
I have many variations of levers from a win 22lr all the way to a marlin 45-70

 

[fiver]

I don't know why I like them so much??
maybe it's the mechanical aspect where I have to be part of the rifle and the ammo is part of the mechanism.
there is just something satisfying about making a good shot with one then flipping that case out and catching it in your hand.
or your just flipping cases into the air and the bullets are making a little round blotch of splash marks on a rock or plate of metal over and over.
[shrug] maybe it's cause I know once I find that front sight it's like I can almost will the bullet to go where I want it like shooting a shotgun.

 

[Brad]

Let's see....
I have a Marlin in 32-20, 357, 44 mag, 45 Colt, 30-30, 444 Marlin, and 45-70.
I also have a Win 92 in 357 and a Win 94BB in 375 win.

Like leveractions? Nope, love em.

Don't shoot bolt guns much these days.

 

[Brad]

Sorry video is upside down, that is what you get when using a GoPro with a mount on your head.
Please ignore the mess, I really need to spend some time cleaning the room. Also forgive the rapid camera movements, this is due to the camera following my head as I look for "stuff".
I really think a small bit of strapping from a pallet would work to fix the carrier. I cleaned a chunk of thin saw blade and tinned both it and the carrier. Clamp together and heat just enough to melt the solder.
Don't forget to make a small, and I mean small, radius on the area of the lever that impacts the carrier, this will slow the development of the jam.

For anyone who hasn't had the Marlin jam occur it is quite distinct. The carrier drops low enough that it fails to act as a magazine cutoff. This means it tries to let more than one cartridge exit the magazine and feed onto the carrier. As the second round gets part way out of the magazine and is part way in the carrier can no longer move upward and the action is jammed.

 

[Wasalmonslayer]

Thank you Brad for that great tutorial!!
I have a couple 1894s and they will both be getting this treatment when time allows....

 

[Brad]

Glad it helps. If you need or want further info let me know.
I love my Marlins. A Winchester kills them in fit, finish, and often accuracy but the Marlins are better under recoil and far simpler actions.

 

[Wasalmonslayer]

I appreciate the offer and before I delv into it I may message you if you don’t mind.