I recently picked up a 1894P, this is my first lever gun, rest being bolts. In lurking around several sites I pick up a lot of discussion on disabling the "cross bolt safty". I have not had a chance to shoot this piece, so I am curious about the discontent with the safty. Can any one elaborate on this?
Jim

I recently picked up a 1894P, this is my first lever gun, rest being bolts. In lurking around several sites I pick up a lot of discussion on disabling the "cross bolt safty". I have not had a chance to shoot this piece, so I am curious about the discontent with the safty. Can any one elaborate on this?
Jim

Probably us crusty old guys who grew up without the cross-bolt. We're use to having that big hammer just ahead of your nose tell you if she's ready to fire or not. Just psycological, nothing wrong with the cross bolt.

Handled a SXS 12ga. with outside hammers and a cross bolt...got the same ingrained responce.

That cross bolt serves a great purpose as an extra safety margin when unloading your levergun, and havng to cycle ammo through the action.... the benefits, as far as I'm concerned end there!

If, like me, you're accustomed to a levergun having the half-cock of the hammer be your safety, then go into the game fields hunting, and somehow that confounded cross-bolt safety gets applied while carrying the gun, then you get an opportunity for a shot at a game animal, and all you get for your reward is a sickening metalic CLACK! as the hammer hits the cross-bolt safety, you'll instantly remember much vocabulary that your wife wished you'd never learned!

Had this happen with my .444 on an elk one year.... made me find a way to "fool-proof" it, so this fool wouldnt' make the same goof again!

there are units that replace the cross-bolt safety, so that it simply looks like a screw in each side of the receiver where the safety once was, there's taking the buttstock off, and tightening the allen-head set-screw so that there's more pressure on the detent spring making it stiffer to apply, thereby averting the possibility of the safety being accidently applied in the field, yet still having the ability to utilize the safety if cycling ammo through the action. Or, you can tighten the screw completely, and sieze up the safety in the off position so that it can't possibly be applied. Or, you can put a small diameter rubber "O-ring" in the groove exposed on the safety on the left side of the receiver when the safety is in the "off" position, then you have to work at applying the safety when you want it "on", as it surely won't slip into that position accidently with the o-ring in place.

Just a few options for your consideration.

God Bless,

Marshall. Once again, you are the man! Thanks for the advice. What about this one. I noticed the brass was getting a little ragged from cycling the rounds in and out of the gun during hunting season. You see it is our policy that a gun does not come into camp with a round in the chamber so I have to cycle them in and 2 or 3 times a day during season. You safety use for this is a great thing and I will be using it from now on but is ther anyway to keep my brass from looking like crap from all this cycling. I have not experienced any feed problems. It is just cosmetic but since your cross bolt safety use for cycling was so simple, dugh!!, I figured you may have a gem for this problem.

Chief, I understand the ragged appearance, primarily from the extractor grabbing the rim of the case. Try this, after you eject the round in the chamber, just turn your rifle on it's side, or upside down, and drop the round that's sitting on the carrier, out the top of the action, then continue doing this after cycling the lever each time until the magazine's empty. This way, you'll never chamber another round either, once the first one up the spout is ejected.... safer too! Try it, it's not that time consuming and let me know if it works for you!

God Bless,

Double Dugh!!! I am so dumb. I just put 3 in the mag and racked one in. Now I cycled the lever open, dumped out the round coming up on the carrier and closed the lever on an empty chamber. All done with the crossbolt on for that extra margin of safety and just slide the round that came out back in the magazine.

Marshall, you have done it again. I know this seems like a little thing but you have just saved me some time and embarrasment. You see my buds are ex-army and they make a big deal out of how well you handle your firearm. Not by words but by there actions. They are so adept at handling theie weapons, one SF and one small arms instructor, that it makes me want to let them see that I appreciate their skills and I try to immulate. I think this will impress and I won't be surprised if I get a comment next time in camp.

Thanks again.

Fun stuff! I love these forums.... we all learn something every day :)

Have a great weekend!

God Bless,

Hey Jim, I am the proud owner of a Marlin 1894S "Limited" 16"bbl in 44Mag/Spl. This is one of my hog getters. I use it in the thick tangle of vines that we call the swamps of NW Fla. I'm in and out of a boat all day(sometimes at high speed)chasing those black blurs that we call hogs. I personally do not want anything that could accidently be activated to stop the fireing pin from getting to the primer when I'm stareing a peed off 300 pounder in the face at 10-20 ft. This of course is my personel opinion and may not be for everybody.For me, proper use of the hammer is safety enough.To the point,a very easy way to disable the cross bolt safety is by the use of an "O" ring. The common type that you can pick up at any well stocked hardware store. The cross bolt safety has a groove cut in it that you can see when you put the safety to the "OFF" position. With the right sized "O" ring(one that is both the correct inside diameter and the propper thickness) you will be able to make the safety stay in the "OFF" position. I took my weapon to my friendly hardware store man and just started tryin' them on.(I lived in a small town where everybody knew everybody) Remember--this was the "fix" for me. Everybody is responsible for their own actions. Any other ?'s please ask. Good shootin'----pruhdlr

Chuck the crossbolt safety and get a replacement that looks like a bolt from:
Clyde Ludwig
PO Box 26156
Wauwatosa, WI
53226-0156
phone 414-536-1101 after 6:30 PM CST
$9.95 plus $3.00 S&H
(if you order more than one kit, the shipping is still only $3.00)

I swapped out 11 so far and NEVER missed them.

Has anybody out there ever seen an aftermarket synthetic stock for a Marlin 1894?? I'm told that the 336 stock will not fit.----ALWAYS stay in the shadows------pruhdlr