Marlin 60 Buffer

[bowl443]

I just recently picked up a pawn shop Marlin 60 for $75. It had a little use on it, so I cleaned up it real good and took it out for our Maiden Voyage yesterday. It was shooting like a dream; accurate, no FTF or FTE's, spitting out the Federal's and Remington's, etc...

Then nothing, the bolt wouldn't go all the way back. So I unload it, take it apart, and to my surprise, the buffer had broke in half and was preventing the bolt from doing anything.

So I got on Midway this morning and ordered TWO. Which leads me to my questions; one, is this common for Marlin's or did I make a bad purchase? Two, is this an indicator of another problem or set of problems that I need to look out for? Three, is this something that a gun smith will need to replace?

Thanks in advance

 

[ArmedBear]

You never know why this happened. If the rest of the gun is perfect, it may not indicate anything at all.

I believe Marlin recommends high-velocity ammo but not ultra-high-velocity ammo like Stingers, Velocitors, or similar.

The buffer broke on my Mini-14. The gun looks and works like new inside and out. Either the metal was slightly flawed, or I shot too much hot stuff through it, too fast, or both. I don't think it indicates anything further. My guess is that Ruger and Marlin would both deliberately design the buffer so that it would break before anything else was overstressed.

Besides, this 60 was 75 bucks and works perfectly. I'd fix it and shoot it. What's to worry about?

 

[kermit315]

I agree, could have just been a fluke. Keep her and shoot her.

 

[bowl443]

Oh, I'm keeping her alright. Is this something I can do myself though??

I'm a noob as far as gun smithing goes.

 

[ArmedBear]

I bought my 60 new (on sale for $129, cheapest I've seen them in a while, so you still got a real bargain) so I haven't had to do it on a 60.

Here's the manual, with an exploded view: http://www.marlinfirearms.com/pdfs/manuals/MFC_Self_Load_RF_Tube.pdf

Marlin will only send certain parts to a gunsmith; certain parts are factory-install only; some others require final fitting (filing, sanding or whatever).

The buffer is not marked with any of these notes. This would indicate that you can just drop it in, maybe with a pin that holds it in. It looks that way on the exploded drawing. If I were at home, I could tell you for sure (my 60 needs cleaning anyway).

The guns I've had to do things like this with have been easy. Essentially, you take the gun apart for a cleaning and oiling, but you put it back together with the new part instead of the old one.

 

[andyjason]

the original buffer in my 60 broke after 3-4 bricks. i called marlin and they sent me a whole new inner assymbly so i didn't have to take it apart. that was 14 years ago or more, and its still on the second buffer. and i have put atleast 8-9 bricks threw it since it was replaced, and it still looks like new.

 

[MIL-DOT]

Man, if i found a model 60 for $75 bucks, i'd have one by now instead of repeatedly just saying "i'm gonna have to get me one o' them" !