Safely unloading a Marlin 336

[dak0ta]

Hi,

Is there a way to unload a fully loaded 30-30 without having to cycle all rounds through the chamber? I tried to push the loading gate in to eject rounds out of the mag tube but it's not necessarily that easy to do.

Is there a way to cut off the magazine and eject a chambered round so the next round in the tube isn't fed onto the lifter? Then from there try unloading via the gate?

I know with pump shotguns you can depress the shell catch to unload from the magazine, is the loading gate the equivalent on a lever action?

My Marlin has the crossbolt safety so I put that on when I have to cycle the rounds out of the rifle.

 

[rcmodel]

Cycling them through the action is the way Marlin says to do it.

Page 6:
http://www.marlinfirearms.com/pdfs/manuals/MFC_Centerfire.pdf

It is possible to manipulate them out of the loading gate, but not easy.

rc

 

[CaliCoastie]

cycle with fingers off the trigger.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Easiest is to cycle the action with barrel in the safe direction and no fingers on the trigger. The harder way would be to remove the magazine cap, magazine spring and follower. Your hands would be near the muzzle so that's a no-no.

 

[Salmoneye]

This is the only value of the Cross Bolt 'Safety'...

There is no possible way the gun can fire while cycling if the CBS is in the 'Safe' position...

I personally hate the things and think they are sacrilegious, but it is what it is...

 

[jmr40]

This is what the CBS is designed for. Most of mine are old enough to not have them, but on the 2 that do this is the only time they are used.

 

[SwissArmyDad]

Yup. Safety on. Cycle that beast with your fingers nowhere near the trigger.

Carry on.

 

[Doug S]

And don't forget to cycle it rapidly a few extra times just to make sure. It's happened more than once to me on more than one Marlin that a shell will get stuck in the tube from time to time.

 

[hq]

Don't try any fancy tricks, just cycle the rounds through and be done with it. I've managed to jam my 1895 a couple of times, pushing the feed port cover in when the action is open. It'll take some disassembly and harsh language to clear.

 

[herrwalther]

The loading gate on my Marlin is a bit stiff. And while I do not like cycling rounds through a chamber to unload it, doing so on my Marlin is much easier than dealing with the loading gate. My Marlin is new enough to have a crossbolt safety and I do not use it for unloading. I place all 4 of my fingers in the loop with my thumb on the tang where it belongs, no finger goes anywhere near the trigger. No bang, no mess.

 

[hatt]

This is the only value of the Cross Bolt 'Safety'...

There is no possible way the gun can fire while cycling if the CBS is in the 'Safe' position...

I personally hate the things and think they are sacrilegious, but it is what it is...

The safety probably makes it more dangerous. Next thing you know your hunting buddy is pointing in your direction and unloading, cause "it has a safety."

I've never had a problem unloading pre crossbolt Marlins. Safe direction, cycle action.

 

[MartinS]

You can cycle without ever getting one all the way into the chamber.

 

[Salmoneye]

The safety probably makes it more dangerous. Next thing you know your hunting buddy is pointing in your direction and unloading, cause "it has a safety."

Then you need a new 'buddy'...

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Why do you want to know? Do you think it's unsafe to unload a levergun by cycling the lever?

I have never had a problem or fear of a misfire when emptying the tub of a levergun. Like said above, if you keep your finger off the trigger the rifle won't fire.

 

[Fast Frank]

Martin got the answer.

On rifles with no cross bolt safety, there's still a safety.

On the 336, the firing pin is in two pieces. The way it's set up, the two pieces don't come in contact with each other until the lever is ALL THE WAY closed.

So, when cycling rounds through to eject them all you have to do is stop with the lever 1/4" from being all the way closed. This cycles the rounds just fine but does not allow the rifle to "Go into Battery" and it cannot fire.

Sure, keeping the muzzle pointed in a safe direction and your finger off the trigger is a must. I believe in the four rules and those rules demand this.

Operated this way, the pre-safety rifles are as safe as any thing you can name.

 

[dak0ta]

Cheers thanks for the info gentlemen.

 

[osteodoc08]

I never really thought of cycling the action as unsafe.

Same with my 11-87. I've Just cycled the weapon without additional thought other than basic safety rules being followed.