Hello to all of you, I have a Marlin 1894fg 41mag that has something wrong with it. I bought this gun used but in like new condition w/box and warranty papers and all.........anyway, when you load it with a cartridge in through the loading gate and proceed to cycle a round with the lever, the follower raises the cartridge up beyond the chamber mouth and the bolt drives the bullet into the top of the frame and upper lip of the chamber . The lead gets hung up and the lever has to be moved back and forth a little to get the cartridge to slip down and then be chambered. Is the cartridge follower bent or is there something else I should be looking at ? Your help is greatly appreciated ?

Dbergero

I have a .44 magnum and a .444. Both Marlins. I've had this occur with both. If the rifle is tilted to the side, I can expect it to happen. If I keep it aimed at the target with the lever directly below the action, the problem goes away. I also open and close the action with force, opening it all the way till it stops before closing it. I still really like both rifles. You may need to try a different bullet as well.
I hope this helps.
Tom

Tom is right, if the gun is tilted or pointed up, the cartridge may tilt past the chamber. Also, what bullets are you shooting? I cannot shoot any of the 250 or larger bullets from either Beartooth or cast performance, as the bullet are too long. Marshal does a great job explaining how to modify your gun to be able to shoot the larger bullets in one of his articles on this website

Dart, I am shooting Federal 210 gr jktd. hollow points. They hit the top of the frame when the carrier is in battery........and the lead tip of the bullet gets driven against the top edge of the chamber leaving a "c" or radius impression in the lead where it contacts the edge. I wouldn't think the 210 gr bullet is too long. The gun is being held parallel to the ground not canted in any way. Mabe the carrier need s to be opened up or deepened........I am really not sure.

Thanks,
Dbergero

Dart, I am shooting Federal 210 gr jktd. hollow points. They hit the top of the frame when the carrier is in battery........and the lead tip of the bullet gets driven against the top edge of the chamber leaving a "c" or radius impression in the lead where it contacts the edge. I wouldn't think the 210 gr bullet is too long. The gun is being held parallel to the ground not canted in any way. Mabe the carrier need s to be opened up or deepened........I am really not sure.

Thanks,
Dbergero
I recently bought a 44 mag and had all kinds of feeding problems. After working the carrier assembly it improved some. I finally ordered a new carrier from Brwonell's and now I can feed SWC, RNFP, and even 44 specials with no problems. It appears that the replacement carrier assembly solved all my problems.
Hope this helps.

Jim

Although I'm a bit new to Marlin 1894s, my current one, an 1894 CBC in .45 Colt will feed anything. Tilted, upright, or even laying it on its side.
Although I can't tell you what's wrong with yours, my suspicion is the carrier. Either its timing or its fit.

If you have access to a lever gun oriented gunsmith take it to him. If not since the problems are with factory ammo, call Marlin.

Joe

I recently had a problem with a 30-30 XLR. Sent it off to Marlin and it was back, repaired, in 9 days! Talk about great service!

Mine does this with lead, never with XTPs or any jacketed. The 1.60 OAL is important but bullet design is too. When the action slicks up or you help it slick up it will do much better. I really believe that the tight machine tolerances these days have actually caused problems in these actions. The older and more worn they get the better they perform. Just my take.

Thanks everyone, But I think it is a manufacturing problem with my rifle. I contacted Marlin and the said it needed to be adjusted and to send it back to factory . I guess when time permits I will box it up and send it on its way. It is very accurate and mild to shoot. I bought to have for for my 3-nine year olds to shoot for their first centerfire rifle.

Dbergero

Read up on the Marlin Jam. Excuse me if I missname the parts as it's been along time scince I needed to go "inside".
the carrier is lifted by the thigygig.The edge of the carrier that rides it may be sharp ...and a bit long causing the carrier to "lift" too high. This back edge should be rounded slightly but sometimes is not.. the sharpedge can dig ito the thiggygig over time and cause a crease that can lock the edge...thus the marlin jam occurs.
Send it Back!!!!
Or do it youself... or at least check it for the sharp edge as you don't want the crease to begin forming.. or locking when miss piggy has decided she's had enought of you. (thats why I fixed my .44!)

My inlaw loves that round and shoots it out of a pistol. As soon as I have enough "extra" money I want to get him an FG.

good luck.
cw

Aint a Marlin Jam, a Marlin Jam is when the gun lets 2 onto the carrier jamming things up good. This sounds like a carrier trouble, if its under warrenty & you can spare the gun for a bit sending it back is the best way to go. If not you can get another lifter from Brownells or tinker with yours. Theres a toggle in the carrier the lever interacts with to lift it. You can adjust how high it goes by fileing it very carefully keeping the angles the same.