Marlin 1894c - Difficult to load

[particlerealities]

I have a Marlin 1894c in .357 Mag.  It has a very low round count - less than 50 rounds total, and was purchased new sometime in the early 80's (no safety).  It's very difficult to load more than 3-4 rounds into the magazine/tube.  Is this normal?  Is there anything I can do to make it load more easily?

[Hazcat]

Can you unscrew the spring at the front of the loader tube (magazine)?  If so just take a good look at all and make sure there is no debris.  also check the plug at the end of the spring to make sure it if not bent.  And a little (LITTLE!) lube never hurts.

If all looks good then it's just a matter of wearing it in.

[particlerealities]

Thanks Hazcat - I'll take a look tonight.  I have taken the tube spring out, and all looked fine (to me).  It's like the loading gate is too stiff - some times when I push a round into the tube, there is so much resistance that it scratches the outside of the brass cartridges.  Really, I'm concerned that it will damage the bluing on the loading gate in a very short time.

I watched a video of a kid loading his Marlin 1894 in .357 Mag., and he just popped them right in the tube with only his thumb.  The kid couldn't have been more than 10 yrs. old.  Either I'm an idiot, or something "ain't quite right...".

Thanks again - I'll check for debris tonight.  The gun has been a safe queen since my step-dad bought it new, and he fired less than a dozen rounds through it.  My guess - he thought it was too hard to load, and just put it back in the safe after cleaning it.  OR, he just bought it on a whim to add to his collection, and the lube has dissipated from the hinge of the loading gate, and I need to squirt some CLP or something in there...

[1776 Rebel]

My 1894c in 357 is exactly the same. It required a couple of boxes for the loading port to ease up. And yes the blueing did get a little bit of a beating. Click on the link below from numrich. The loading port is a leaf spring setup and I believe it just needs the exercise to work in.

http://www.e-gunparts.com/product.asp?chrProductSKU=452200A

[Scott Moore]

I also agree it is indeed the loading gate needing “breaking in”. When I was working in firearms retail our store was a Marlin warranty center. During this time I bought an 1894 in .357 and noticed the same thing. Our gunsmiths assured me the more I loaded the rifle the easier it would become and sure enough they were correct, my 1894 loads just fine. Not sure which carrier your rifle has; the earlier rifles will only feed .357, while later rifles have a different carrier that will allow you to cycle .38 spl’s as well.

 I would disagree with Hazcat is the “light liberation”. Introducing lube into the magazine can lead to dirt collecting and fouling the action. This also applies to certain “water displacing” spray oils. These oils tend to dry out and gum-up turning to an almost varnish-like texture.

Scott

[Sponsor]

[particlerealities]

I tried loading the tube, and cycling some rounds through the rifle, but the last round consistently jambs half-way out of the tube, and gets crimped by the ...carrier?  I have to remove the lever to release the pressure and the round drops free.  Does it 9 out of 10 times.  The last time I looked at the serial number websites, it said my rifle was manufactured in 1982.  I found some "marlin jam" websites, which said to file down a portion of the lever - I lightly filed the location specified, but it had no impact on the jambing.  I love the way the rifle points and shoots, but build quality seems less than satisfactory, and I can't really afford to have a smith work on what is essentially a brand new rifle (extremely low round count).

[Hazcat]

I tried loading the tube, and cycling some rounds through the rifle, but the last round consistently jambs half-way out of the tube, and gets crimped by the ...carrier?  I have to remove the lever to release the pressure and the round drops free.  Does it 9 out of 10 times.  The last time I looked at the serial number websites, it said my rifle was manufactured in 1982.  I found some "marlin jam" websites, which said to file down a portion of the lever - I lightly filed the location specified, but it had no impact on the jambing.  I love the way the rifle points and shoots, but build quality seems less than satisfactory, and I can't really afford to have a smith work on what is essentially a brand new rifle (extremely low round count).

PM Majer.  He can probably help you.

[Scott Moore]

Being the gun is 25 years old and has had such a few rounds through it have you thought about completely stripping it down and soaking it in mineral spirits? Any firearm that age that has not been thoroughly cleaned could be suffering from “old gun oil issues”, in other words the oil has hardened. While cleaning, pay particular attention to the carrier rocker assembly and carrier. And of course during assembly use good quality oil as mineral spirits completely strips away all oil and lubricant. Go lightly on lubricant and only on moving parts and while avoiding chamber and magazine areas, these should be oiled and whipped dry.
It been along time since I played with Marlin lever guns, I hope this helps.

[particlerealities]

I have cleaned the gun with CLP while doing a general cleaning, and with this recent feeding issue, I completely stripped the firearm.  Fortunately, I was able to reassemble the gun, and didn't have any pieces left over!    Function check, and the gun worked fine, aside from the feeding issue that remains.  Can anyone point me to detailed disassemble instructions for the Marlin 1894c so I can try again?

[Scott Moore]

How about posting your question on the Marlin Collectors Website www.marlin-collectors.com