30-30 question

[Famine]

I just came into possession of a 15-20 year old lever action 30-30 that has only been used twice for hunting, and has had less than 100 shots fired from it. It's a Glenfield Mod. 30A by Marlin Firearms.

I have never owned a rifle, only shotguns and handguns. My intention was to get use to the action of the gun, target shoot with it this season, and go hunting with it next season. I bought some 30-30 cartridges and loaded it up. First off, the door (?) on the breach port seems very tight. So tight as a matter of fact that one of the cartridges that I ejected had a dent in the side that I can only assume was from putting it in. Second, I believe the gun should hold 7 shots in the tube. It was tight after 5, and #6 got stuck. The rim of the cartridge was jammed in the door (?) of the breach port.

Any advice or clarification? I'm not use to a 30-30, so I'm not sure if this is all normal.

 

[chad1043]

I'm sure you'll get lots of answers. If you don't find them here, please check out http://www.marlinowners.com/forums/index.php

You won't be disappointed.

Chad

 

[homers]

Contact Marlin by phone and talk with somebody. Go see a gunsmith if needed, might just need a good lube.

Make sure you are using the correct ammo, made for a lever action.

 

[Famine]

Ammo's good. .30-30 Win is stamped right on the barrel.

 

[Shawnee]

I can't say with absolute certainty about the Glenfield but I'm 99% sure its' tube is intended to hold no more than 6 cartridges.

If the gun is in mint/new condition it is not too uncommon for the loading gate to be stiff and just need use to ease nicely.

The dent you discovered may have been caused by your attempts to overload the magazine.

Might be worth it to simply load four or five in the magazine until you've cycled the action enough times to allow it to smooth out a bit. If you don't get your deer in two shots you aren't going to get it anyway.

Again, I can't say about the Glenfield version but I know that Marlin 336 design is quite good and when they've been used a bit they often get silky smooth and reliable.

Good Luck !

 

[foghornl]

I have a Marlin Model 30AW. It holds 6 in the tube, but at first, yeah it was a bit stiff getting 6 in there.

Did you get the owner's manual with it? My book shows a pic with a marking that says "keep this screw tight". Not over-torqued, but tight. That screw is on the loading gate side, about 1-1/2" directly behind the loading gate. That holds the loading gate assembly in place.

You can download the 336 series manual from Marlin..

www.MarlinFirearms.com

Congrats on a fine levergun that will serve you well.

Try several brands/weights of ammo. Mine is best with the Rem 170-Gr soft point "Core-Lokt" ammo, least accurate with the Win 150-Gr. I haven't tried any of the new Hornady "Leverevolution" ammo yet, but some folks say it is quite good.

 

[greyling22]

6 shot magazine. I've got one. it's terrific. smoothest action I have ever seen on a lever gun. it's basically a marlin 336A. they're easy to do your own smithing on if that interests you (as far as the loading gate) while you are in there take a half coil off each end of the hammer spring. you will be amazed at the result.

 

[Famine]

Wow, I go away for a day and this is already on page 3...must be a lot of folks talking about AR's.

I didn't get a manual, but thanks for the idea of downloading it. I'll try all these suggestions this weekend to see if it helps.