[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

[OKSooner]

Sounds like you went to the wrong gunsmith.

[Lion Den Dan]

Check that the lever is not bent. The finger lever should be proud of the lower tang when fully closed and depressing the trigger safety block. It sounds like the lever is not lifting the breech lock far enough to fully align the Marlin Safety firing pins which results in firing pin drag and failure to fire. The finger lever can be bent downward slightly through your own ingenuity or the application of a few bucks and a gunsmith. Charge should not exceed $20.00

[golux]

A very interesting thread. I am not a gunsmith but emanations from the penumbra tell me your forward firing pin, for any number of reasons, is not striking the primer with adequate speed. Keep us posted!

[Blueflag]

Thanks; makes sense. Need a translation: “The finger lever should be proud of the lower tang when fully closed” ...

What do you mean by proud???

[Blueflag]

Indeed. Adequate FORCE would be the physics, but I get the idea ;-)

[Blueflag]

Ordered. Thanks! Be great to have anyways.

[Blueflag]

30-30. Have ordered the gauge.

[golux]

Yes, I understand. Adequate force would be the physics.

At the same time, as you stated you are using original manufacturers’ equipment with equivalent mass, the remaining factor is SPEED, (or acceleration.)

I wonder if a “stronger” spring might correct the problem?

Keep us posted! I love lever action Marlins... Wish I still had mine!

(NEVER take guns boating... Especially anywhere the Mariana Trench!)

[Tijeras_Slim]

Proud in this instance means not touching. The lever stands off from the tang when closed.

[Blueflag]

I was just busting your ... chops.

I just put a #8 washer on the shaft of the hammer spring, to add ‘speed’ / force to the hammer strike. Will advise.

See my (soon to happen) next post for an update on a key finding about the forward travel of the bolt using the standard cycling method.

[Blueflag]

Thanks - it’s OK in that regard. I am about to post some key findings about the extent of the forward travel of the bolt upon cycling the action. In the midst of a honey-do for a bit.

I may have found root cause. Need an hour or so.

[Chainmail]

"I just put a #8 washer on the shaft of the hammer spring, to add ‘speed’ / force to the hammer strike. Will advise."

Before you put any live cartridges in your rifle with your "Number 8 washer" please only chamber a primed empty cartridge only. If your rifle is misfiring because of excessive headspace, it is very dangerous to fire a full pressure cartridge if you don't know if your headspace is within safe limits.

You've had all sorts of advice from all manner of Freepers - but I'm an actual gunsmith and have investigated several firearms malfunctions, including one involving a .50 caliber machine gun that fired with excessive headspace that nearly killed the man firing it.

Never take a chance until you really know if your headspace is actually within a safe range.

[Nathaniel]

Probably weak hammer spring. A heavier hammer spring will probably help. My politically incorrect (and I KNOW the safety nazis will salivatingly knee-jerk in Pavlovian fashion over this) solution is that I replaced all the marlin lever guns’ that I own’s two piece firing pins with one piece ones. No more light primer strikes and the lever safety tab works as intended and is more than adaquate. (I got rid of the uselss cross bolt safety a long time ago). The very best safety is the one between a shooters ears.

[Blueflag]

Yessir. I am awaiting my 30-30 go/no-go gauge from Brownells as we speak.

[Blueflag]

To all the kind contributors:

I am awaiting the arrival of my go/no-go gauge before attempting to fire the Marlin. I have to check the headspace. Expecting it by by next Tuesday.

I can confirm the bolt DOES travel all the way forward when the action is cycled and a round chambered. The bolt is flush on the rear of the cartridge.

I believe the hammer wear, finger wear & shape are fine.

For now the rifle has been dissembled and cleaned again, and the bare bolt is soaking in Hoppe’s #9, pending reassembly on Tuesday evening or Wednesday.

Please stay tuned.

[Nathaniel]

Very, very odd that pre ’64 Winchester 94’s were carried and used VERY safely WITHOUT the lawyer rebounding hammer abomination. Also, the Marlins have a lever pin which POSITIVELY prevents the hammer from falling unless the lever is completely in the up (bolt closed) position. The half cock is a VERY safe feature. Reliance on a mechanical feature to ensure safety is in itself, unsafe.