Marlin Feed Problem
Howdy guys,
This is an interresting problem that I have been seeing recently with Marlin 94's. At least three in the last several weeks. Mine has been shot 40 to 50 thousand rounds or so (conservatively speaking;yes, cowboy shooter), worn one carrier out and assorted odds and ends. I think I know the problem, but am curious if anyone else has seen it and if there are any other ways of dealing with it.
Symptom.
Every once in a while, when running a Marlin, as you rack the lever down, round comes out and deposits on the carrier as it is supposed to.
However, upon bringing the lever back into battery, the round is ejected out of the side, resulting in a shucked round and empty chamber. Now, this is NOT due to a short stroke. Just as you rack the rifle up, round slides right out of the port. Doesn't do it every time, but got progressively worse.
Cause?
I "think" this is caused by the slot on the left (inside) side of the bolt being worn too much which allows the front of the ejector to catch the rim of the case and act as an ejector and push the case out the slot as the bolt is closing home. I measured the depth of the slot on a fairly new bolt and my match gun and the difference was pretty significant.
Soloutions?
1) I polished down the front of the ejector to the point where it does not protrude as much into the interior of the gun. Seems to have temporarily, at least, solved the problem. Until the slot wears to the point that this will not work.
2) New bolt. Simple enuff.
3) Suggestions?
Looking for input, alternate soloutions, fixes etc.
Thanks
Hank
This is an interresting problem that I have been seeing recently with Marlin 94's. At least three in the last several weeks. Mine has been shot 40 to 50 thousand rounds or so (conservatively speaking;yes, cowboy shooter), worn one carrier out and assorted odds and ends. I think I know the problem, but am curious if anyone else has seen it and if there are any other ways of dealing with it.
Symptom.
Every once in a while, when running a Marlin, as you rack the lever down, round comes out and deposits on the carrier as it is supposed to.
However, upon bringing the lever back into battery, the round is ejected out of the side, resulting in a shucked round and empty chamber. Now, this is NOT due to a short stroke. Just as you rack the rifle up, round slides right out of the port. Doesn't do it every time, but got progressively worse.
Cause?
I "think" this is caused by the slot on the left (inside) side of the bolt being worn too much which allows the front of the ejector to catch the rim of the case and act as an ejector and push the case out the slot as the bolt is closing home. I measured the depth of the slot on a fairly new bolt and my match gun and the difference was pretty significant.
Soloutions?
1) I polished down the front of the ejector to the point where it does not protrude as much into the interior of the gun. Seems to have temporarily, at least, solved the problem. Until the slot wears to the point that this will not work.
2) New bolt. Simple enuff.
3) Suggestions?
Looking for input, alternate soloutions, fixes etc.
Thanks
Hank
0
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40-50,000 rounds? Your solution makes sense especially since it works.
You might hard chrome plate the bolt face and those features of the feed
components that wear out. Also, you might consider developing a lubrication schedule using teflon or Molybdenum Disulphide filled grease on all pivoting and sliding surfaces.0 -
I realize that sounds like allot of rounds, but for a Cowboy Action shooter that participates on a regular basis, the numbers are not unrealistic. I know some that shoot many, many times over what I do.
One or two matches a month coupled with 3 or 4 (sometimes more) practice trips to the range a month adds up quickly over 4 years.
I already use a high tech grease from Perozzi. When it is combined with any teflon based lube, makes for some super slick stuff.
Seems to me the problem is that the ejector is harder than the bolt, I would have designed it the other way (cheaper and easier to replace a ten dollar ejector than a fifty dollar bolt).
The chroming idea has merit, but seems like replacing a bolt for $50 after 4 years would be more cost efficient. I figure the gun will last maybe 3 or 4 more years (maybe less) before the rails inside are worn beyond tolerances.
Other parts look to be holding up well, locking bolt, lever, trigger, hammer, sear etc all are still in fine shape.
I guess I'll have to get a bolt.
Thanks
Hank0 -
nice to know that a Marlin will go that many rounds before you start having problems , mine should last several life times at My rate of use [:D] 0 -
[V]
WordBorn!!0 -
I think your pushing the machine past its limits, kind of like complaining about only being able to get 1200 h.p. out of a chevy 327. another thing to consider is perhaps you are working the action too fast, just like said 327; they are ment to work at a certian rate, to fast or to slow and you have problems. 0 -
Mike,
I am not complaining at all. I KNOW that I am getting more out of the rifle than it was ever designed to give. I also know full well that Marlin probably never intended or designed this rifle to take the abuse that it is dealt. As far as operating it too fast, yes I am certainly capable of doing that as well. I am not alone here, with the advent of Cowboy Shooting, I am sure there are many, many rifles out there with far more rounds through them than mine. We are talking about a gun that gets a diet of lead only, lightly loaded 357s fed through it.
As far as operating too fast, don't think so. Before this problem arose, 10 shots in less than 5 seconds with no misfeed was not a problem with smooth, fast and complete cycling. Now, same speed, rythem, etc results in a live round being ejected about every 40 or 50 rounds. The problem seemed to be getting worse until the ejector was honed. So, I am only seeking soloutions to a problem of wear that has only recently occured.
My intent was to see if an "expert" had seen any similar wear patterns, malfunctions or have suggestions as to the ejections of live rounds as you bring the lever up.
Am I getting my worth out of the gun, you bet. I have no problem changing a carrier or bolt as the parts wear out. This is a match gun that gets shot, allot, I expect wear and tear and I fully expect to have to work to keep it in top operation condition. If the internal rails on the receiver wear, then I'll buy a new rifle (already have one as a backup), but this is a match gun and I would rather keep it running in top condition rather than go through all the hassle to set up another match rifle.
Hank0
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