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[vanity] Gunsmith question re soft primer strike/ no fire on vintage Marlin 336 RC
Wisdom of the Ages re gun quirks ^ | 10/14/2020 | Blueflag

Posted on 10/14/2020 1:10:18 PM PDT by Blueflag

I am looking for advice on getting an older Marlin 336 to strike the primer hard/deep enough to fire the round. ie fix a soft primer strike.

I have refinished a Marlin 336 RC, built 1964 per serial number, that I bought used at a gun show. I bought it knowing that it would not fire a round when the trigger was pulled and the firing pin would only dent (soft primer strike) the primer in the cartridge. I paid just over $100 for the firearm with the Nikon scope (worth more than $100) with the intent of refinishing the stock and grip, and getting the rifle back into working order.

I am comfortable working on/ disassembling/re-assembling lever action rifles, and know the 336 is easy to work on.

When I took the rifle apart, the two-part firing pin was badly worn where the (short) rear firing pin strikes the front firing pin. There was also a burr on the rear firing pin. The firing pin retaining spring appeared too flat to secure the rear pin well. These were all obvious issues.

I replaced the front and rear firing pins, Firing pin retaining spring, Extractor, both firing pin retaining pins, and hammer spring and hammer spring adjusting plate. Not the original breech bolt Not the original finger lever.

I soaked the breech bolt overnight in Hoppes and used an aluminum 'dental pic' to remove any stubborn carbon left behind inside the bolt.

I thought these updates would enable proper firing pin function and length AND also provide a more forceful strike from the hammer in case the old spring was weakened.

... and the symptoms did not change. I tried Hornaday, Federal and Winchester cartridges (30-30) with exactly the same result-- a dimpled primer.

FYI, I cannot see any damage to where the cartridge seats at the breach of the barrel.

I welcome your thoughts on what to try next?


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Hobbies; Military/Veterans; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: banglist; gunporn; gunsmith; marlin
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I am looking for advice on getting an older Marlin 336 to strike the primer hard/deep enough to fire the round. ie fix a soft primer strike.

I have refinished a Marlin 336 RC, built 1964 per serial number, that I bought used at a gun show. I bought it knowing that it would not fire a round when the trigger was pulled and the firing pin would only dent (soft primer strike) the primer in the cartridge. I paid just over $100 for the firearm with the Nikon scope (worth more than $100) with the intent of refinishing the stock and grip, and getting the rifle back into working order.

I am comfortable working on/ disassembling/re-assembling lever action rifles, and know the 336 is easy to work on.

When I took the rifle apart, the two-part firing pin was badly worn where the (short) rear firing pin strikes the front firing pin. There was also a burr on the rear firing pin. The firing pin retaining spring appeared too flat to secure the rear pin well. These were all obvious issues.

I replaced the front and rear firing pins, Firing pin retaining spring, Extractor, both firing pin retaining pins, and hammer spring and hammer spring adjusting plate. Not the original breech bolt Not the original finger lever.

I soaked the breech bolt overnight in Hoppes and used an aluminum 'dental pic' to remove any stubborn carbon left behind inside the bolt.

I thought these updates would enable proper firing pin function and length AND also provide a more forceful strike from the hammer in case the old spring was weakened.

... and the symptoms did not change. I tried Hornaday, Federal and Winchester cartridges (30-30) with exactly the same result-- a dimpled primer.

FYI, I cannot see any damage to where the cartridge seats at the breach of the barrel.

I welcome your thoughts on what to try next?

1 posted on 10/14/2020 1:10:18 PM PDT by Blueflag
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To: Blueflag; mylife; Joe Brower; MaxMax; Randy Larsen; waterhill; Envisioning; AZ .44 MAG; umgud; ...

RKBA Ping List


This Ping List is for all things pertaining to infringes upon or victories for the 2nd Amendment.

FReepmail me if you want to be added to or deleted from the list.

More 2nd Amendment related articles on FR's Bang List.

2 posted on 10/14/2020 1:12:36 PM PDT by PROCON (Molon Labe)
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To: Blueflag
Call Marlin.

Most gunmakers are very helpful.

3 posted on 10/14/2020 1:15:51 PM PDT by Eagles6
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To: PROCON
Here are some thoughts. You may need a slightly longer firing pin.

Good thread on the problem:

4 posted on 10/14/2020 1:18:33 PM PDT by marktwain (President Trump and his supporters are the Resistance. His opponents are the Reactionaries.)
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To: Blueflag
I have a Marlin 336C, but I'm not sure if it is the same mechanically as your 336RC.

However, on my bolt, there is a section near the rear of the bolt that has a transfer pin that must be pushed up by the lever before the hammer blow will transfer energy to the firing pin. It is an out-of-battery safety.

Is your lever fully lifting this piece? Here is a pic of the transfer piece that I'm talking about. It is shown dangling at an angle at the left side of the bolt. The picture is not mine, but an internet picture:

If that transfer pin isn't fully lifted, it could be causing drag on the transfer of energy into the firing pin.

5 posted on 10/14/2020 1:19:11 PM PDT by Yo-Yo ( is the /sarc tag really necessary?)
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To: Blueflag

I’m no expert, but is the bolt seating all the way?


6 posted on 10/14/2020 1:19:46 PM PDT by READINABLUESTATE ( Deplorable, and proud of it.)
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To: Blueflag

Maybe a weak hammer spring. You said it’s an “older” Marlin. Was it stored for years with a cocked hammer?


7 posted on 10/14/2020 1:20:14 PM PDT by Spirochete
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To: Spirochete

Never mind. I just saw that you replaced the hammer spring.


8 posted on 10/14/2020 1:21:00 PM PDT by Spirochete
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To: Blueflag

Maybe the headspace is off and the cartridges are seating too far forward in the chamber.


9 posted on 10/14/2020 1:22:49 PM PDT by Spirochete
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To: Blueflag

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?124990-Marlin-336-firing-pin/page2&highlight=marlin+firing+pin

Another helpful thread.


10 posted on 10/14/2020 1:23:03 PM PDT by Tijeras_Slim
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To: Yo-Yo

I thought about this when I chose NOT to replace the finger lever, in that MAYBE the finger lever doesn’t quite push the bolt forward far enough for the mechanism at the rear of the bolt (locking bolt et al) to properly position the firing pin assembly. I am trying to keep the rifle as original as possible.

I will look for wear on that rear pin, since the burr on that rear pin was consistent with what might be called ‘not really flat’ wear.

Yours is a good thought.


11 posted on 10/14/2020 1:23:46 PM PDT by Blueflag
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To: marktwain
Here are some thoughts. You may need a slightly longer firing pin.

Good thread on the problem:

Reading that thread, it could also be a weak hammer spring.

12 posted on 10/14/2020 1:24:14 PM PDT by Yo-Yo ( is the /sarc tag really necessary?)
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To: Eagles6

Indeed - RTFM/ call tech support ;-)


13 posted on 10/14/2020 1:24:17 PM PDT by Blueflag
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To: READINABLUESTATE

Also on the ‘hmmmmm’ list. It’s possible if the finger lever is not pushing the bolt fully forward or there’s a burr of other obstruction there, perhaps from someone manhandling a jam out of the chamber. Will inspect again. Didn’t originally see any issues. But definitely on my list.


14 posted on 10/14/2020 1:26:05 PM PDT by Blueflag
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To: PROCON

Could be the firing pin. The hammer spring. Perhaps the chamber is reamed too deep.
Did you try recocking and firing it a second time.

If there is oil/grease in the chamber it can cushion the firing pin blow preventing it from Firing.


15 posted on 10/14/2020 1:26:16 PM PDT by Vaquero ( Don't pick a fight with an old guy. If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you.)
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To: Spirochete

I replaced the sping and adjusting plate, but have not yet tried the trick of adding a washer to give the spring more punch.


16 posted on 10/14/2020 1:26:46 PM PDT by Blueflag
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To: Spirochete

Thought about that. Not SURE, but I think fixing that would mean replacing the barrel, presuming the seat is integral to the breach. The other side of your idea is “does the bolt fully close”?

Worth a real gunsmith’s opinion.


17 posted on 10/14/2020 1:28:21 PM PDT by Blueflag
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To: Vaquero

I did re-fire each cartridge at least twice. No joy.

re grease in the chamber: I can check the chamber and seat again to make certain there is no grease cushion or ‘bounce’.


18 posted on 10/14/2020 1:30:24 PM PDT by Blueflag
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To: Yo-Yo

yes and thx. previously found that one.


19 posted on 10/14/2020 1:31:06 PM PDT by Blueflag
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To: Blueflag
Thought about that. Not SURE, but I think fixing that would mean replacing the barrel, presuming the seat is integral to the breach.

Replacement would be the fix is the chamber is reamed too deeply, as suggested by Vauquero in #15. Others have suggested a longer firing pin which was my first thought.

The other side of your idea is “does the bolt fully close”?

Possibly. Yours could be very slightly out-of-battery. Does the rifle fire at all? Does it never fire and just ding the primer?

20 posted on 10/14/2020 1:35:03 PM PDT by Spirochete
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