Marlin 336 action wrench / barrel vise

[fat tony]

I have a Marlin 336 that has an indexing problem. This is a used firearm before it reached me. What happened was I wanted to put on XS ghostring sights. After I set up the XS sights the problem became glaringly obvious as the rear sight had to be cranked ridiculously over to center the groups (zeroing was at 60 yds.)

For an action wrench I am thinking of something along these lines. So, my order for the metal place will be about 4 feet of heavy duty 1"X1".

To not reinvent the wheel, it would look something like this one:

^This pic is what I am thinking the finished product might be.

with the 336 I am thinking I could get away with no cutouts as it's a flat sided receiver, except for the oval end up front.

Not sure what to do for a barrel vise, maybe just get a pre made barrel vise with the appropriate bushings?

I plan on stripping the rifle, soaking the barreled action in kerosene (?), putting it in the barrel vise, then putting on the action wrench. To hopefully bring the front sight back up to tdc.

 

[sunray]

Use the proper tool. Using a jury rigged action wrench can twist the receiver into an oddly shaped paperweight.
I suspect you have something other than an indexing issue too. Not something that Marlins are known for having. Did you shoot it before you started playing with it?

 

[fat tony]

Of course I shot it. It's not a remlin either, the serial range is from the 1970s. She shoots straight, there are no issues with fired cases or any other problems. The irons are cocked because of the indexing, that is the only problem as far as I can tell.

What special action wrench do you recommend?

 

[guntech]

The wrench you show on that 700 clamps the receiver more tightly on the threads. It is a terrible design. It is also only for round receivers. I use an internal wrench on 700's that engages the flats of the race way immediately behind the lug recesses.

For flat sided receivers I use a wrench that clamps on the flat sides of the action. Usually 30-30 levers actions barrels are not that tight.

 

[fat tony]

I was not going to make hemispherical cuts as I have a 336 not a 700. The picture was for rough reference only. Nice wrench you have there. There is a lot of flat surface area on the 336 receiver to spread out the pressure.

I am guessing it might be a good idea to turn a rod to fit snugly in the receiver with a hand press fit to support the inside of the receiver.

 

[tiriaq]

I made my flat sided receiver wrench from two pieces of 1x1 stock. Turn one end of each round for pipe handles. Two 1/2" Allen head clamping bolts. Use copper shims to protect the receiver finish. Sort of like a big tap wrench.

 

[porpoise]

my xlr sights are set over towards 1 o clock. can i just tighten the barrel up to straighten them?

 

[guntech]

If the barrel has extractor cut outs, you may not be able to index sights without re-machining for the extractor fit.

 

[fat tony]

I can't imagine the sights would be actually off @ 1:00 o'clock.

For my barrel, the sights seem to be cocked off to the right about 30 seconds (imagine a clock face).

If dukie @ Marlin did not goof off to smoke some dope when putting my Marlin together 3:00 pm on friday afternoon in 1970 whatever, he would have indexed the barrel properly without having to remachine the extractor cut out. (Just my opinion.).

 

[porpoise]

its not at 1 oclock its towards 1 oclock and its sig
nificant i have to drift the front sight bead left to get enough adjustment out of my frame mounted peep and it looks off