Houston CAS Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 I lucked into getting my wife a Marlin 1894 .357 18.5" JM Stamp that I think was a dealer sample so it was barely used. Before I got it for her, she was using someone's nicely-slicked-up Marlin for a while, so I'd like to tweak hers a little bit to make things easier for her. She has some trouble during the loading process getting the rounds in the loading gate. The gate is tough to push in for her. At the shoot yesterday, she managed to get what one shooter called the "Marlin Jam"that locked up the lever. Thankfully it was before a round had been shot so she got a reshoot. A fellow shooter fixed it and said there's some rough edge that I need to file to keep that from happening. My very-limited lever experience is with the Rossi 92, so I'm looking for help on a few things: 1. Any good guides (video/website/etc) on disassembly & cleaning procedures for the Marlin? The Rossi video by StevesGunz was very helpful 2. What are some recommended smithing I can do to smooth out the action, loading gate, and functionality of the rifle for her? She is no speed demon so I don't need to do everything on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971 Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 See this link: http://marauder.homestead.com/files/tuning_m_1894.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deuce Stevens SASS#55996 Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 Long hunter one piece STEEL firing pin and spring kit, quality smooth lever wrap, nice big front sight. If you take the carrier out and there is a line in it send it to Gunner Gatlin (can be found here on the wire) and have him do his fix. All that will cost right around $100 bucks. The loading gate spring will need to be tuned to make it easier for here to load, some bend it but I prefer to actually tune the spring, which can be tricky if you have not worked with flat springs before. All will lead to a better running rifle and happier shooter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chili Ron Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 Howdy, Once you shoot a marlin it seems so much better than a 92. But, slick up the 92 and its way better than the stock marlin. And stock marlin 94s do like to jam.....and it isn't a bit like blueberry... A smoothed up marlin 94 is a wonderful thing. And some pards get everything out of them. Id say don't go halfway, talk to a good marlin specialist and get a real action job. I would ask to keep a fairly hard hammer hit, so that any primer will fire. Some smiths lighten the hammer hit so only the most sensitive primers fire. NOT good in times of shortages. Many pards can do a fair job of cureing the jam situation and polish the parts a bit. But I like the expertise of the real deal. ymmv. Best CR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Widder, SASS #59054 Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 Long hunter one piece STEEL firing pin and spring kit, quality smooth lever wrap, nice big front sight. If you take the carrier out and there is a line in it send it to Gunner Gatlin (can be found here on the wire) and have him do his fix. All that will cost right around $100 bucks. The loading gate spring will need to be tuned to make it easier for here to load, some bend it but I prefer to actually tune the spring, which can be tricky if you have not worked with flat springs before. All will lead to a better running rifle and happier shooter. Houston, Based on your preferences to help the 1894, what Deuce stated is what I would also recommend. As Deuce stated, the loading gate spring can either be tuned better by bending or actually tuning the spring. Your gunsmith probably has a preference that works well. And you will do yeowndangself a big favor by sending that carrier to Gunner for his fix. He does great work. ..........Widder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 You can 'dog-bone' the gate spring to reduce the tension to your liking. OLG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedalia Dave Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 If you used NKJ's video to reduce the force needed to open the gate on your 92 you can do the exact same modification to your Marlin. Remember to go slow and test as you go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boggus Deal #64218 Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 Another thing is to make sure it isn't too long for her. Cut the stock to fit, if you need to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston CAS Posted December 22, 2015 Author Share Posted December 22, 2015 Thanks for all the tips everyone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoot Hamilton Posted December 23, 2015 Share Posted December 23, 2015 Long hunter one piece STEEL firing pin and spring kit, quality smooth lever wrap, nice big front sight. If you take the carrier out and there is a line in it send it to Gunner Gatlin (can be found here on the wire) and have him do his fix. All that will cost right around $100 bucks. The loading gate spring will need to be tuned to make it easier for here to load, some bend it but I prefer to actually tune the spring, which can be tricky if you have not worked with flat springs before. All will lead to a better running rifle and happier shooter. Houston, Based on your preferences to help the 1894, what Deuce stated is what I would also recommend. As Deuce stated, the loading gate spring can either be tuned better by bending or actually tuning the spring. Your gunsmith probably has a preference that works well. And you will do yeowndangself a big favor by sending that carrier to Gunner for his fix. He does great work. ..........Widder Houston,Listen to these Pards, as they know Marlins very well. I have had Gunners mod carrier in two Marlins for years and can testify to the quality. hOOt PS sent you a PM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokin Gator SASS #29736 Posted December 23, 2015 Share Posted December 23, 2015 Widder. What about rounding off the part of the lever that contacts the bottom of the carrier causing the line or groove to develop? Is it not necessary with Gunner's carrier mod? I've rounded mine and the carriers have a slight line but have not gotten worse. No function problems. Smokin Gator Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Widder, SASS #59054 Posted December 23, 2015 Share Posted December 23, 2015 Howdy Gator. Based on Houstons first post, I gathered that it was best not to make it complicated and I also thought Deuce's post covered it well. But in reference to rounding off the tip of the 'snail cam' on the lever, I personally don't think it is necessary when using Gunners modification of the carrier ramp. If Houston is already having problems with the Marlin Jam (as he stated), Gunner's mod can remedy that without further mods in correcting this particular timing issue. Hope you have a Merry Christmas. ..........Widder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deuce Stevens SASS#55996 Posted December 23, 2015 Share Posted December 23, 2015 Howdy Gator. Based on Houstons first post, I gathered that it was best not to make it complicated and I also thought Deuce's post covered it well. But in reference to rounding off the tip of the 'snail cam' on the lever, I personally don't think it is necessary when using Gunners modification of the carrier ramp. If Houston is already having problems with the Marlin Jam (as he stated), Gunner's mod can remedy that without further mods in correcting this particular timing issue. Hope you have a Merry Christmas. ..........Widder Widder is correct I was trying to keep it simple. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokin Gator SASS #29736 Posted December 23, 2015 Share Posted December 23, 2015 Wow. Thanks guys. I don't do much work on my guns. The Marlins are the only ones I've slicked up on my own after getting some tips here. I have a 44 SPL/mag and a 44-40 that work fine. Thanks. Smokin Gator Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Gatlin, SASS 10274L Posted December 24, 2015 Share Posted December 24, 2015 Thanks for the kind words about the carrier mod we do. Have a Merry Christmas. GG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ventura Slim, SASS #35690 Posted December 24, 2015 Share Posted December 24, 2015 I am a fan of Marauder's website too. Cowboys and Indians store sells a dvd on take down, lube and assembly of the 94. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou Graham, # 26112 Posted December 24, 2015 Share Posted December 24, 2015 Lou here, lady shooter with LOTS of Marlins in many calibers. Depending on the size of your fingers, loading .38's in a Marlin can be a nail-breaker and annoying, even when the gun is well tuned and has been smithed to peak performance....... Find a pard that sells the T-shaped Pusher stick for your wife. It can hang off her gun belt. Very helpful for that last round or use it all the time as needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noz Posted December 24, 2015 Share Posted December 24, 2015 RE Pusher stick. My thumbs are big and the last round into the magazine on my 357 73 is a bear. I use the same piece of antler that I use to seat my caps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Harlan Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 I have two 94's, 357 and 32 H&R, that have both been set up by Widder. Could not ask for slicker more dependable rifles. When my Winchester has issues with a round i will thow it in my Marlin and it always eats it and spits it out. He is IMHO the Yoda of Marlin rifleworks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coyote Cap, SASS Life #14184 Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 Houston, If you get to Winter Range, stop off at my trailer and I will show you how you can make your lady REALLY happy with you, by an invention to save her fingernails from distruction when loading that Marlin .38/.357 M-94. You NEED to build her a "Rapid Reloader" that holds (10) rounds and loads her Marlin with (10) rounds in less than 1 second. No more busted fingernails ! I guaranteed your reward for doing exactly as I show you, will net you repeated rewards from her for years and years to come ! If you don't make it to WR, I can e-mule or text msg some photos of the invention. "Coyote Cap" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.