Marlin leveraction jamup..

[Shanghai McCoy]

Went to unload my older model Marlin 44mag today and the darned thing jammed up on me. I was just working the action to get the shells out when two rounds got into the action and a partial feed of the third round was between the tube and the ramp.
I managed to get the rounds out after removing the loading gate and then prying out the stuck round.
So, any suggestions for cause and prevention of this happening in the future...?

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

Oh, and this was with Winchester 230gr rnsp factory loads.

 

[Alaska444]

The Dreaded Marlin Jam. My Marlin .444 jammed when I first got it. Had to send it to the factory since it was new. Worked well since.

Here is an alleged fix, didn't help with mine, also had a weak spring they replaced in the factory when I sent it in. But this is a good description of the problem of letting in two at one time.

http://marauder.homestead.com/files/marlin94fix.html

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

Thanks A444, at least now I know what to call it...
Mine is an older version so guess sending it to the factory won't help.

 

[hq]

Does the jam affect 1895 series Marlins as well? When I bought a 1894 I had done some research and fixed it right away, before even shooting the gun, but now I'm getting a bit concerned about my 1895. It has worked flawlessly for four hunting seasons and numerous range sessions so far, but...

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

My 95 in 45/70 seems to be smooter than the 94, could just be the larger parts and longer stroke..?
I have a new carrier on order/backorder from Midway to see if that will solve the 94's problem along with dressing off that sharp edge.

 

[dragon813gt]

There is a lot info on the causes/fixes of the dreaded Marlin jam on the Marlin Owners forum. I suggest you search around there for the fix


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[jmr40]

Does the jam affect 1895 series Marlins as well?

The pistol caliber's are far more likely to do this than rifle calibers. It is not a common problem, but it does happen enough that I'd not trust one for hunting stuff that bites back.

The only time I've had any issues was when working the action slowly, like when unloading. Working it briskly like you would when hunting and trying to get off a fast repeat shot seems to be the best way to prevent the problem.

 

[9w1911]

well i had that problem yesterday in my .44 1894c and it pissed me off so much I wrote the BBB. I have had nothing but problems with my 1894c. I have probably spent over 400 in gun smithing, new carriers and new levers. Im pretty up set still, apparently I got one of the very first Remlins. Anyone reading this do not buy a Rem/Marlin.
Now, after it has been brought home and cleaned, I cleaned the magazine tube but did not lube it. It runs smooth, ugh. I just cycled 5 rounds of a heavy 300gr Sierra and it cycles fine in the house, these were dummies. What I think fixed the issues was: loose screws!
At least when one screw was cranked down the gun runs fine. For now, after 25 magnum rounds my stock becomes loose and i have to tighten it so now maybe I will just tighten the whole gun, every 25 rounds. I will contact Marlin and send it back, I have not mailed it back because there is a great gunsmith here and he really tuned it will. The jam that developed yesterday for me was new, a new symptom.
So my suggestion, clean it, go light on the oil, and tighten all of the screws on the receiver and see if that fixes it.
I want to sell the 1894c but I will have to cheap and disclose that this is a lemon, but then I will use that to buy the Winchester .44.
Sorry for the rant.

 

[Roadking Rider]

Make sure all the small screws on the right hand side of the reciever are tight. I had a similiar problem and found a screw was loose. When I tightened it up I was able to clear the jam. It's never happened again.

 

[foghornl]

Had the same issue with an 1894 I had many years back. Would jam most often with Rem brand ammo; seems in that time frame (Mid 80's) the Rem brand ammo rim diameter was just a couple of 1/1000's smaller that Win or Fed ammo.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

One loose screw will cause a Marlin to not work. They are not forgiving in this respect.

 

[9w1911]

jammed today 3 times in about 200 rounds, tightened screws helped but still not a fix, bummer.

 

[GooseGestapo]

p.s. ALSO LOCKTITE THOSE SAME SCREWS.

I've not encountered the problem with the long cartridge 336's.
However, it's fairly common with the 1894's. Reason that Marlin made a run of .44mag's on the 336 action back in the '70's...

Generally, it's just a matter of properly "hand fitting" some of the critical tolerance components in the action.
FWIW; I've had MORE problems with the 1892 Winchesters and 1894 "Pistol caliber" Wichesters.... Not just a Marlin issue...

Do seek help over at www.marlinowners.com
A LOT of good info on Marlins and all other leveractions...

 

[9w1911]

yea I also noticed that the Winchesters 92 can jam because it was never meant to use such a short cartridge like a .44mag. It is just my 1894c has had so many issues the gun is just sour to me now.

 

[natman]

yea I also noticed that the Winchesters 92 can jam because it was never meant to use such a short cartridge like a .44mag.

The 92 was designed for cartridges of 44 mag length or thereabouts. The 1894 and 336 were designed for longer cartridges.