Gunsmith or Marlin help?????

ker2222

I have recently picked-up a used Marlin 1894 in 44 magnum. The rifle shoots fine but it is horrible to try and load. It is so difficult to get rounds into it that it actually hurts my thumbs and feels like it is really being forced. When I checked the cases, the brass is all scratched-up from going into the tube past the loading gate.

Is this rifle supposed to be this hard to load?? It makes me very nervous to ever force anything and so I am now not shooting this rifle I've been waiting a long time to get.

Anyone have any ideas??? I would really appreciate it!!

Ronald J. Snow

No, the rifle should not be that hard to load. Sounds like there is a "burr" on either the loading gate or the receiver. Start a cartridge into the rifle and remove it before going in all the way. See if the scratches are evident enough to pin-point where the problem might be. This "burr" will need to be eliminated by using a fine stone. If this is not the problem, then perhaps there is dirt or rust in the magazine tube that should be removed. Let us know what you find.

260

i know what you are talking about. i have had one of those in the shop before with same problem. the problem is that the .44 mag case is short and straight , unlike a 30/30 that is bottlenecked.the 44 is binding on the start of the chamber when you work the lever.the cure is too carefully bend the carrier a small amount as so it will lift the round faster( so to speak). another alternative is to build up the carrier where the lever cams on it. i'm sure some of the real gunsmiths will agree with me. good luck

1KYDSTR

I think I've experienced a similar problem with a 357 lever gun I have. If it turns out NOT to be the case with the burred tube, try this. Using proper (soft point or lead head) ammo, start the round into the loading gate but do not insert it all the way. Stop pushing when the cartridge rim is just a little ahead of the rear of the gate, and then insert the next round nose onto base on the back of the partially inserted round and try pushing it in, stopping when you reach about the same insertion point as the first round. It seems as though the straight case rounds like this don't like going "around the corner" as they enter the tube. It might help to lay the gun on its' left side while trying this as we only have 2 hands and it is a little tricky until you get the hang of it! Hope this makes sense...e-mail me if I can help further!

"When I cease learning...I'm dead"(Me)
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chuck

I had one, Was VERY ACC. I sold it because of the Loading Problem.[V][V]

deerhntr

Take the carbine apart removing the magazine tube and Run a Bore Brush (that fits the mag tube snug) soaked with Rem-Oil and clean it out good then give all parts a Good scrubbing and LIGHT coat of oil
then re assemble everything.The marlin should not be Too hard to load
but i do own a few that are a bit tough on the thumb But give it a Good in-debth clean and lube it will make a differnce.
*IF YOU ARE NOT SURE ABOUT A TOTAL TAKE DOWN -BRING IT TO A GUNSMITH*

---

"I BRAKE FOR ANIMALS! I eat them and wear thier skins"

ker2222

Thanks for all the input guys--you really are the best.

I have taken given the whole thing a thorough cleaning and a coat of oil. Checked for burrs--didn't find any.

It now loads much better but still has a degree of difficulty that is noticable. It sounds like this is not an uncommon problem on these.

So now the question is: Do I need to be worried about puting a light scratch on the cases as they go into the tube???

Even after the cleaning, each case gets scratched as it is loaded. It is all factory new ammo (don't have the ability to reload). Should I be worried about that???

Thanks again.