I'm new to this forum and new to lever rifles. I recently bought a Marlin at an auction for $200. What a deal (I thought). Well, Monday, I went to an outdoor range to shoot it. Fired about 9 rounds of WWB 150gr. thru it fine. Then, I don't know what happened, but the gun jammed. There were 2 rounds stuck in the magazine, none in the chamber. Removing the tube cap and spring didn't do anything. The lever was also stuck, so that ended my time with the rifle.

I took it to a guy at a local inside range i know and he tried to remove the rounds. He only was able to remove one and said he thought the "elevator" was damaged. I took it to a local gunsmith today and it's in his hands. $100 to take it apart, remove the round and fix it. $25 of that was a premium charge due to the fact there is round in the mag and they need to be careful with it.

So my $200 deal isn't because I could have bought a 336 new for $320 and taken it back to the store for free warranty work. :(

Sorry for the venting, but I'm frustrated. When I get it back, I will advise what the problem was if anyone wants to know. I'm actually excited about having one of these type of rifles and will continue to shoot it after if it is fixed. If I caused it somehow, I will make sure I don't repeat the mistake.

This seems like a good forum from what I've seen, so I wil continue to visit for the good info I can get from everyone. Thanks.

I feel badly for you about the problem you bought. I'm hoping you have no further jamming problems, ever.
TR

Interesting jam. I do not have a 336. I have an 1894. Was the lever and action jammed completely closed? I guess not because you could see two rounds. Was one of the rounds, partially in the magazine.

Sorry you got someone elses trouble. Used cars and used guns. I have better luck with used guns, usually. New cars and new guns about as bad nowadays!

Good Luck, and let us know how it goes and what the fix was as far as parts or fitting.

Retired,

Excessive wear on the elevator, or lifter, or cartridge carrier is to blame for what is called a Marlin Jam. A new carrier is the solution. Don't be too put off on used by your problem. I've got a used 30-30 and a used 375 Win, both Marlin 336's and got steals on them both.

Lobo in West Virginia

You might want to find a new gunsmith too. Perhaps this was a fair price, but it seems a bit stiff for basic nuts and bolts gunsmithing to me. A round in the mag tube is not really a dangerous affair for anyone with any knowledge of firearms. Stick with it and don't let this sour your affair with leverguns.

Retired,
I'm retired,too,and really feel sorry for your badluck with te Marlin and the gunsmith.
As a shooter with m a n y years association with bolt guns,I can say that lever guns are not as easy to deal with.
Since retireing,15 years ago,I've spent most of my time with my 'new' Winchester '94 and Savage '99.They gve me great joy,but also,some little frustrations.
Frank

I am a Marlin lover and it sounds like the second round followed the first into the chamber and blocked both. Here is the fix for the Marlin Jam and once fixed it won't happen again. You may want to take a look at the lever when you get it back to make sure that is not the problem. http://marauder.homestead.com/files/marlin94fix.html
This has only happened with the Marlin 94 in 41 Mag that I have heard of. One thing on all used Marlins, check the screws, they should be snug but not overly tight. I agree with the earlier poster that the elevator, lifter or cartridge carrier is the likely problem and a loose screw may have been the cause.

Thanks for all of your comments, concerns and helpful info. I contacted the gun store that held the auction where I bought the rifle and told him about the problem. He said he wished I had spoken to him first and $100 was too much to pay. He told me to bring in to him so I contacted the gunsmith and said I was going to pick it up.

To the gunsmith's credit, he refunded my $50 fee (they require half the cost up front) without any problem.

I will bring the rifle to the auctioneer on Sat. He is a bit of a distance, but it will be worthwhile to me I'm sure. I will definitely let everyone know what the problem was when I get it back.

Again, thanks, your responses and concerns are appreciated.

Almost forgot Chief, it's not actually a 336, it's the model before it, 30AS. And the lever is wide open, can't move it.

Take the lever pivot screw out, and you should be able to noodle it out. Basic Marlin disassembly.

Might as well try; it's not going to hurt anything at this point.

That's what I was thinking. If you have unfired 2 rounds visable in the action with the hammer held fully back with the bolt assembly, there seems to be little danger at this point. Removing the lever at this point poses no danger. If it was a new Marlin with a cross bolt safety, it could be engaged and no tisk at all.

To get the situation you have it seems that a short stroke on the lever just short of letting the hammer fall would be a possibility. There could be no problem with part wear. If you have a digital camera, a pic would be fun for us analytical types.

Well, it's fixed! I removed it from the gunsmith before he began working on it and took it to the gunstore that ran the auction at the latter's request. I spoke with him this evening and he said the 2 screws on the receiver were mixed up and put into the wrong holes (He said one is larger than the other and needs to go into the correct hole). He said someone must have done it before I shot it and it jammed after a few shots.

He was able to remove the round without a problem, there is no damage to the rifle and I will pick it up sometime this week, possibly Sat. to avoid the fwy traffic. He didn't say and I didn't ask, but I know the charge, if any will be minimal. A lot less than the $100 the gunsmith wanted. Cool.

Thanks again for all of your comments and interests to this newbie to lever action rifles. Much appreciated. :)

Well, it's fixed! I removed it from the gunsmith before he began working on it and took it to the gunstore that ran the auction at the latter's request. I spoke with him this evening and he said the 2 screws on the receiver were mixed up and put into the wrong holes (He said one is larger than the other and needs to go into the correct hole). He said someone must have done it before I shot it and it jammed after a few shots.

He was able to remove the round without a problem, there is no damage to the rifle and I will pick it up sometime this week, possibly Sat. to avoid the fwy traffic. He didn't say and I didn't ask, but I know the charge, if any will be minimal. A lot less than the $100 the gunsmith wanted. Cool.

Thanks again for all of your comments and interests to this newbie to lever action rifles. Much appreciated. :)

Keep us informed. This will be a learning experience for us all.

I think you did the right thing. Hopefully, that fella knows for sure that its a mixup with those screws and thats all. He sounds like an honorable fella. Back in the early 80's, I had problems with my first Mod. 94 Win. I took it apart to clean it, and when assembled the Lever would never fully close again. Tried everything and finally a gunsmith fixed it for me. Took some patience and time to get it done. It will be worth it in the end. Are you in Southern CA?

You pegged it Chris, I do live in good old S. Cal. I will be driving to Glendora to pick up the gun tomorrow, Thursday. I have a small window in which to pick it up to avoid the traffic going west into LA in the morning and going east in the afternoon. I DON'T want to get stuck in the famous LA traffic! My back won't handle sitting on the fwy.

Hopefully, I will get to shoot it next week at Lytle Creek. Living here, unlike the lucky people in some other states, I can't just go out my back door and shoot a gun. :mad: I have to drive to a range and pay for it.

Hi Retired,

Good old Southern California. I lived North of Bakersfield for alot of my life....only went South to go to LAX, and found myself quite out of my element :eek: I now live "Back East" in Central PA...moved back here to be near my wife's family. They love their freedoms here.....have State sponsered public ranges that are top of the line. I was quite shocked and pleased that they were by and large, a gun lovin culture. That changes a bit towards the bigger cities of Philly or Pittsburg. Good luck with your gun and let us know how she turns out.

Well picked it up today. Before doing so, the owner of the gun store shot 3 rounds thru it for testing purposes (I had forgotten to bring the spring when I brought in the gun, so he had to wait for that). The rifle worked fine and he didn't charge me a penny. Just asked me to go to the next gun auction, which I will (but I can't afford to buy anything this time).

When I returned home, I gave the gunsmith near me a call. I asked him how much he would have charged me once he realized it was just 2 screws that needed to be interchanged in the holes and the round removed from the mag. He told me it would have been a $25 labor charge as that is their minimum. What a guy!! You can bet I will never go back to him.

Chris, I couldn't handle the cold, rain and blizzards back where you are. Also, where I live is hot enough during the summer, I couldn't handle Bakersfield either. I like my snow on the mtns. where it look purdy, rain during the night when I'm asleep and 76 degrees years round (like the last 2 will ever happen!).

Sounds nice Retired. My Dad is in Flagstaff and is thinking of heading your way. He is 70 and still fly's everyday for Ariz. Game and Fish....looking forward to retirement. Good talking to you Sir.

Thank you Chris, you too.

Just wanted to do a follow up and close this thread out in case anyone was wondering about the final outcome. Went shooting with the rifle (a few other pieces of equip.) on Fri. at an outdoor range. The 30-30 performed great. Absolutely no problems. It's amazing what a screw in the wrong place and for that matter, in the right can do!

Thanks to everyone who showed an interest and tried to help. Much appreciated.

retired,
enjoyed reading your posts, sorry for your troubles, glad for your outcome

whoops wrong button

I too am just new to 'lever' action
my 9 yo grandson is a cowboy and I wanted to be one too...;)
just bought a Marlin 1894 and a blackhawk (both .357)

he got a new 'rough-rider' .22 and my old Glenfield bolt .22

as I have been learning the ropes with said lever gun, I have had a few
mild 'jams' , but I am sure it was from the user input...

boy, the look on his face after he cracks off a few rounds is, well
like the saying goes - "Priceless"

Thanks for the update. I am glad things are working out.

retired,

I want to thank you for the update also. Every once in awhile we learn something new on these forums, if we can just remember them when we need to.

Bill