Evil One
Member
A little while back we were in a LGS and ran across a 336Y, .30-30 youth model.
The Spikehorn is a wonderful little rifle.
16.25" barrel, inch shorter stock, full length tube magazine, pistol grip stock.
It is a great rifle for the kids, smaller stature people, and even as a basis for a tactical/working build up.
I was tickled shatless to find one in the wild.
It shoots well, puts the rounds where you want them.
However... it is a new production Marlin.
Made in the Ilion NY factory out of Marlin and Remington era parts... by Remington employees.
And thats where the monkey throws his wrench into the works.
The thing will not reliably cycle.
Multiple hitches in the lever stroke... and likes to lock in the wide open position.
This is a damn brand new rifle, this lack of function is TOTALLY unacceptable.
And, unfortunately, it is not a rarity.
If you check the forums and youtube it looks epidemic, however we know that people are a lot more likely to say when they are unhappy with a product than when they are happy.
So, I hold out hope that there are some magnificent Remlins out there... I just have not found any yet.
Anyway, back to this rifle.
I got off work early today, so I scattered it across the motel desk and checked it out.
What I saw pissed me off and I attacked it with gusto to try and make it function and spaced out on taking pictures.
Issue #1, I pulled the lever out and the end was as cast. No smoothing or fitting... casting ridge right on the end.
So all force when working the lever was focused on 1/32" of an inch.
So, I reshaped the end of the lever... took off the ridge, smoothed anywhere it touched anything.
The bolt... as cast where it rides over the hammer, rough as hell. Smoothed that and broke the edges. Smoothed up the ejector channel.
The ejector, again... rough as hell with a casting mark thru the middle of it.
The hammer, CASTING MARK... smoothed and reshaped the break over.
Locking bolt, as cast... no finish work. Trued the flats and smoothed it up.
The carrier, yea... it was binding. slimmed it out here and there, removed casting marks, smoothed up cartridge transfer areas.
Thinned out the loading gate spring to make it easier to slide the rounds in.
I still need to hit it with some fine files and stones.
The loading port has some sharp edges that I dont like, as does the ejection port.
But now it cycles rounds just fine, and I left my Slipstream at home... so I know it will surely get better.
I got this rifle for Caryn, my wonderful wife, and I am not about to leave her with a POS that doesnt work.
What I just went thru is not something that should have happened.
I can understand slicking up a firearm to make it as close to perfect as you can get.
But not having to go in and remove metal just to make it function.
I dont have to do that with a Kel Tec... hell, you dont have to do that with a Hi Point.
Raven and Jennings tend to work out of the box.
I have handled newer 1895s that wouldnt cycle the action reliably while EMPTY.
Most people would have boxed it up and sent it back in or asked for a refund.
I have dinked with these long enough to do most of the basic work on them myself.
But I shouldnt have to... and neither should anyone else.
If... IF... Remington moves their companies out of NY, maybe they will get a new focus and some employees willing to make a functional lever action.
Hell, if they moved to SC I may apply for the job.
Jim
The Spikehorn is a wonderful little rifle.
16.25" barrel, inch shorter stock, full length tube magazine, pistol grip stock.
It is a great rifle for the kids, smaller stature people, and even as a basis for a tactical/working build up.
I was tickled shatless to find one in the wild.
It shoots well, puts the rounds where you want them.
However... it is a new production Marlin.
Made in the Ilion NY factory out of Marlin and Remington era parts... by Remington employees.
And thats where the monkey throws his wrench into the works.
The thing will not reliably cycle.
Multiple hitches in the lever stroke... and likes to lock in the wide open position.
This is a damn brand new rifle, this lack of function is TOTALLY unacceptable.
And, unfortunately, it is not a rarity.
If you check the forums and youtube it looks epidemic, however we know that people are a lot more likely to say when they are unhappy with a product than when they are happy.
So, I hold out hope that there are some magnificent Remlins out there... I just have not found any yet.
Anyway, back to this rifle.
I got off work early today, so I scattered it across the motel desk and checked it out.
What I saw pissed me off and I attacked it with gusto to try and make it function and spaced out on taking pictures.
Issue #1, I pulled the lever out and the end was as cast. No smoothing or fitting... casting ridge right on the end.
So all force when working the lever was focused on 1/32" of an inch.
So, I reshaped the end of the lever... took off the ridge, smoothed anywhere it touched anything.
The bolt... as cast where it rides over the hammer, rough as hell. Smoothed that and broke the edges. Smoothed up the ejector channel.
The ejector, again... rough as hell with a casting mark thru the middle of it.
The hammer, CASTING MARK... smoothed and reshaped the break over.
Locking bolt, as cast... no finish work. Trued the flats and smoothed it up.
The carrier, yea... it was binding. slimmed it out here and there, removed casting marks, smoothed up cartridge transfer areas.
Thinned out the loading gate spring to make it easier to slide the rounds in.
I still need to hit it with some fine files and stones.
The loading port has some sharp edges that I dont like, as does the ejection port.
But now it cycles rounds just fine, and I left my Slipstream at home... so I know it will surely get better.
I got this rifle for Caryn, my wonderful wife, and I am not about to leave her with a POS that doesnt work.
What I just went thru is not something that should have happened.
I can understand slicking up a firearm to make it as close to perfect as you can get.
But not having to go in and remove metal just to make it function.
I dont have to do that with a Kel Tec... hell, you dont have to do that with a Hi Point.
Raven and Jennings tend to work out of the box.
I have handled newer 1895s that wouldnt cycle the action reliably while EMPTY.
Most people would have boxed it up and sent it back in or asked for a refund.
I have dinked with these long enough to do most of the basic work on them myself.
But I shouldnt have to... and neither should anyone else.
If... IF... Remington moves their companies out of NY, maybe they will get a new focus and some employees willing to make a functional lever action.
Hell, if they moved to SC I may apply for the job.
Jim
