Problem with Marlin 336 Lever Action

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soninlaw

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I very recently purchased a brand new Marlin 336W from Bass pro, disassembled and cleaned per the manual, reassembled and checked action per manual and took to range to try my first box of the Hornady Leverevolution 30/30 ammo.

It's got an intermittent problem where sometimes after you fire a round the action seems to be completely jammed and you can't work the lever to eject the spent casing. After fiddling and considerable force you can make it work and the next time it may work fine or may not.

Of course I can take it to a gunsmith but I thought I'd put it out there in case there's a known fix to this - like filing off a burr left from manufacturing?
 
Could just be a new rough chamber combined with the higher than usual pressures in those rounds. Chamber will likely smooth out a bit with use.

Have you had any issues with other, normal loaded ammo?

Also look to see if a round is coming slightly out of the mag tube after firing causing the carrier/lifter to bind.
 
Hmmm..have to check that

I can't recall if I ever had it happen when there were no rounds in the tube or not.

I've only used the one box of Hornady so I'll need to see if other ammo does the same.

Once I get another chance I'll do some more experiments at the range.
 
Basic question...did you remove the bolt in your dis-assembly? Did you undertake a complete dis-assembly - meaning did you start removing screws such as those which fasten the floorplate to the receiver? Did you tinker with the bolt lock mechanism or the carrier, etc?

When re-assembling (assuming the only removal was the ejector and bolt) did you put the ejector back into the groove correctly? When the rifle operated, did it eject the spent casings with energy (did they fly out?) or were they sort of anemic (have to work the lever with energy too)? Was the bolt smooth to operate, like in the store, or was it binding and difficult?

I know you wrote about the Lever Evolution ammo, did you try another brand?

For mine, I used a white lithium grease (injected with a curved tip syringe) to lubricate the surfaces between all moving parts and the action in mine after about 20 rounds became smooth as glass.
 
Some rifles have had problems working with Hornady Leverevolution ammo, try some regular factory ammo and see if the problem continues.Then you will know if it is the rifle or ammo.
 
soninlaw said:
I very recently purchased a brand new Marlin 336W from Bass pro, disassembled and cleaned per the manual, reassembled and checked action per manual and took to range to try my first box of the Hornady Leverevolution 30/30 ammo.

It's got an intermittent problem where sometimes after you fire a round the action seems to be completely jammed and you can't work the lever to eject the spent casing. After fiddling and considerable force you can make it work and the next time it may work fine or may not.

Of course I can take it to a gunsmith but I thought I'd put it out there in case there's a known fix to this - like filing off a burr left from manufacturing?
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My guess is the "marlin Jam", the sharp nose of the snail cam on the finger lever can forge an indentation into the lift carrier when cycled fast and hard. the nose of the cam gets stuck in the grove it has created jamming the action. Go over to Marlinowners and read up, Remington has ruined Marlin.

I would return the rifle for a full refund and look for a good used JM stamed gun.
 
gtrussell said:
A Marlin, and a 30-30.An up-hill battle .
Click to expand...

I disagree altogether. I bought a Marlin and yes, there were cosmetic issues, but in terms of function, mechanical soundness and tight headspace spec. the 2011 Marlin 336 could NOT be beat. I know, i physically tested 7 Henry's (of which two I had returned for dangerous headspacing). Three random Marlins I tested...all were so damn tight for headspace and action, it was scary.

While I was at it, I also tested the Winchesters. Big disappointment there. Tested three as well. One closed on no-go and two closed on field gauges, but man, were sure pretty, polished and gleaming...ready for some fool to buy.

So y'know what I took away from all that, I can live with the mismatched sight, or cheaper finish...because they will outshoot any other lever on the market today and stand up to the pounding...rather than popping primers out and stretching cases all to ratsh!t.

I sold my marlin because the microgroove and cast bullets were not a match made in heaven.

Ever shoot the Hornady 100 gr out of that Marlin?...Didn't think so, otherwise you would not be slagging it either.

And yes...what would YOUR alternative lever be? :confused:
 
Yeah, if you keep it, try it with normal ammo. The way marlins work, they are very dependent on a cartridge of a certain OAL to cycle properly. I can see the little nipple on the Hornady ammo causing problems.

Anyone who has played around loading for a Marlin should know what I'm talking about. Too short or too long, JAM.

FURTHERMORE, forcing it when it jams can damage your rifle or make it worse.
If it jams like that, you pretty much have to remove the lever to loosen up the action to free up the jam. I've made a habit of bringing a screwdriver to the range with me.

And finally, make sure your receiver is tight. I've noticed some marlins come loose after a certain number of firings. Like the screws on the bottom right near where the ammo feeds from the tube into the action. This screw bolts the lower to the upper, and when it comes loose on my gun then it starts to jam, even if the ammo is perfect.
 
You were absolutely correct - last time I had it out it worked without any problem every time and with every cartridge - Hornday, Remington, Winchester. Thanks everyone for your interest and suggestions.
 
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