But, it turns out that the loading gate is small and stiff as Hades.
If you remove the loading gate, there is a thinner part between where the screw attaches it and the gate itself. That's the spring. I use a file to thin that until the gate opens easily (if you smooth the gate just right, you can get it to where you can unload thru the gate by pushing the gate in. I prefer that to cycling cartridges through the action).
I've had 4 marlins (all pre-Remington, FWIW) and the thickness of that part of the gate, and the stiffness, varied quite a bit.
If you remove the loading gate, there is a thinner part between where the screw attaches it and the gate itself. That's the spring. I use a file to thin that until the gate opens easily (if you smooth the gate just right, you can get it to where you can unload thru the gate by pushing the gate in. I prefer that to cycling cartridges through the action).
I've had 4 marlins (all pre-Remington, FWIW) and the thickness of that part of the gate, and the stiffness, varied quite a bit.