I got a used 1894 lever in .357 mag for Christmas. Was going to the range yesterday, but... oh well. It feels like the trigger is loose on it. It wiggles both fore and aft and sideways. If I open the lever, and look down the trigger, it looks like it may be a brass colored sleeve or cover over the trigger itself, because the whole assembly doesn't move, just the brass colored piece. This is my first Marlin, and second lever action, (Winchester .30-.30, solid trigger assembly in blue) Any help, suggestions or comments?? :confused:

Does it move when in full cock? The trigger flop is normal when not cocked.

Does it move when in full cock? The trigger flop is normal when not cocked.
Yeah, Chief, and thanks for the reply. It seems to move all the time, hammer down, half cock and full cock. It doesn't affect the hammer drop, but if you're just squeezing ever so gently, it does have quite a bit of slack to take up. Maybe that's why I got it used for under 5 C??

Yea. That's not normal. Good chance to put in a new trigger group but you need to see what's broke in there first. Good Luck.

Yea. That's not normal. Good chance to put in a new trigger group but you need to see what's broke in there first. Good Luck.
Anybody got an email link to Marlin? Company site has a TX # and a mailing address but no electronic link. Guess I COULD let my fingers do the walking through the yellow pages. Hey Chief, think it's safe to try to fire it this way? Never mind, I know better.

Get the part thru midway or brownells. You can do it. I can and I am no gunsmith. The 1894 is easy.

Contrary to other comments, that sounds like what is completely normal for a Marlin, it just depends on degree. If it moves more than 1/16-1/8" sideways at the tip of the trigger, then there could be a wear issue. The endwise movement can be 1/4" or so. Try opening the lever and see how much fore and aft movement the trigger has then, bet it is much less. That movement is necessary for the lever safety to properly lock the trigger and take it out of engagement with the sear until the lever is fully locked. Winchesters do the same thing, there is just much less movement. Having some slack in a trigger is not a defect! As a matter of fact, virtually all military rifles are designed to have a degree of slack deliberately, it is a safety feature also.

If you are really concerned, then take it to a local gunsmith instead of trying to get a definitive opinion long distance. Without handling the gun no one can really tell you if it is in good condition or functioning normally, as your interpretation of movement can be much different that anothers.

Oh, BTW, that "brass colored piece" is the trigger, many Marlin triggers are gold plated. And this is a very common question. Many people on getting their first Marlin lever gun ask about the trigger looseness which is commonly referred to as "Marlin flop". Check the gunsmithing , 1894 Marlin and 336 Marlin forums for the past 3-4 months and you will likely find at least 6-10 others have asked the same question. the correct answer is, almost without fail, "That is normal". There ought to be a "sticky" on "Marlin flop"!!!!

Contrary to other comments, that sounds like what is completely normal for a Marlin, it just depends on degree. If it moves more than 1/16-1/8" sideways at the tip of the trigger, then there could be a wear issue. The endwise movement can be 1/4" or so. Try opening the lever and see how much fore and aft movement the trigger has then, bet it is much less. That movement is necessary for the lever safety to properly lock the trigger and take it out of engagement with the sear until the lever is fully locked. Winchesters do the same thing, there is just much less movement. Having some slack in a trigger is not a defect! As a matter of fact, virtually all military rifles are designed to have a degree of slack deliberately, it is a safety feature also.

If you are really concerned, then take it to a local gunsmith instead of trying to get a definitive opinion long distance. Without handling the gun no one can really tell you if it is in good condition or functioning normally, as your interpretation of movement can be much different that anothers.

Oh, BTW, that "brass colored piece" is the trigger, many Marlin triggers are gold plated. And this is a very common question. Many people on getting their first Marlin lever gun ask about the trigger looseness which is commonly referred to as "Marlin flop". Check the gunsmithing , 1894 Marlin and 336 marlig forums for the past 3-4 months and you will likely find at least 6-10 others have asked the same question. the correct answer is, almost without fail, "That is normal". There ought to be a "sticky" on "Marlin flop"!!!!


OK, thanks alk, now how do I shut off the {quotes} thing?

You can avoid the quotes by using the reply button on the lower left, about 6 lines below the last post.

Bye
Jack

Or you can left click at the top left of the quote and drag the cursor to the lower right to hi-lite the quote, then just hit the delete button.

Hey, that moderator knows his stuff! It worked. I can advance beyond the technical level of an IBM Selectric II with a daisywheel! Thanks. and thanks for the help with my 94. Guess I'll try to shoot it now. Got any bandages?

Hows it going SP? Are you feeling more comfortable with that trigger? I agree with 8944, your trigger wiggle is probably completely normal. I understand some of the aftermarket trigger conversions elliminate this.