Marlin Jam or other FTF?

Gary · Post by **Gary** » Sun Oct 26, 2008 8:39 am

I mounted a scope on my Marlin 1894C in 357 mag and with my sons, we headed to the range to test some factory ammo. I wanted to see what gave me the smallest groups. After eight five shot groups, I handed the carbine to my son to plink with and it immediately jammed. A round of 357 magnum came out of the magazine about 1/2 inch. The carrier was jammed into the rim, the loading gate was askew and the lever was jammed in the full forward position. Is this the infamous Marlin jam or some other FTF?

Gary

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Sun Oct 26, 2008 8:50 am

Gary wrote:I mounted a scope on my Marlin 1894C in 357 mag and with my sons, we headed to the range to test some factory ammo. I wanted to see what gave me the smallest groups. After eight five shot groups, I handed the carbine to my son to plink with and it immediately jammed. A round of 357 magnum came out of the magazine about 1/2 inch. The carrier was jammed into the rim, the loading gate was askew and the lever was jammed in the full forward position. Is this the infamous Marlin jam or some other FTF?

Gary

Gary,
If you had just fired 40 rounds without a problem and it "immediately" jammed when your son tried it, I think operator error.
The "Dreaded Marlin Jam" is otherwise known as "Letting in Two". Did it double feed? You didn't say so, so I'm thinking not.
By your description I'll bet he short stroked the lever and tried to force it.

Just my opinion from your description.

Joe

Terry Murbach · Post by **Terry Murbach** » Sun Oct 26, 2008 9:25 am

LOOKS TO ME LIKE JOE MAY HAVE PRETTY WELL NAILED THIS ONE DOWN TIGHT.

Gary · Post by **Gary** » Sun Oct 26, 2008 9:39 am

As I was busy admiring the small groups, I did not watch my son cycle the action. Because of the way the cartridge was jammed by the carrier and the shell only exited the magazine ~1/2 inch, it must have been short stroked. By the time he handed it back to me the lever was 90 degrees to the barrel and the action was frozen. I'll have to see if I can replicate it today with a dummy round. It sure was scary trying to pry out a live round in the field!

marlinman93 · Post by **marlinman93** » Sun Oct 26, 2008 11:02 am

I think Joe is right, but be sure to also snug the loading gate screw. If the loading gate was sitting "askew", it might be loose, which can also cause failures to feed.

Travis Morgan · Post by **Travis Morgan** » Wed Oct 29, 2008 9:29 am

At the last cowboy shoot I attended, I was planning to use my buddy's '92. He showed up with a darned Marlin. When you lay a Marlin down on a table, that stupid safety gets turned on. That's MY idea of a Marlin jam!

El Chivo · Post by **El Chivo** » Wed Oct 29, 2008 9:46 am

It sure was scary trying to pry out a live round in the field!

Remember you can easily remove the lever by taking out one screw. Of course somebody has to have a screwdriver.

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Wed Oct 29, 2008 10:24 am

At the last cowboy shoot I attended, I was planning to use my buddy's '92. He showed up with a darned Marlin. When you lay a Marlin down on a table, that stupid safety gets turned on. That's MY idea of a Marlin jam!

I'm in total agreement with you there. However a Clyde Ludwig replacement will take care of it post haste.

It sure was scary trying to pry out a live round in the field!

Remember you can easily remove the lever by taking out one screw. Of course somebody has to have a screwdriver.

Yep, and who usually carries a screwdriver with them in the field? Nobody I know of. The closest thing would be a Leatherman tool, or a Swiss Army Knife.

Joe

Travis Morgan · Post by **Travis Morgan** » Wed Oct 29, 2008 10:54 am

........which BOTH have screwdrivers on them....

marlinman93 · Post by **marlinman93** » Wed Oct 29, 2008 6:45 pm

Live rounds take a strike to the primer to go off. You can't set it off by working it out with a screwdriver or knife point. I've seen examples of cases folded over double and crushed, that didn't go off. A small pointed strike to the primer will easily do it, but not simple prying.

L8agin · Post by **L8agin** » Wed Oct 29, 2008 7:24 pm

Loading gate askew would do it- tighten all screws an try again. If that don't fix it, then address the marlin jam really not that hard to fix. excellent gun
L8

Nate Kiowa Jones · Post by **Nate Kiowa Jones** » Wed Oct 29, 2008 8:50 pm

Many times the dreaded marlin jam is nothing more that the Trigger Guard Plate Screw has loosened (the one on the bottom toward the front) The Dreaded jam is because the carrier is worn to a point that it sets too low for the cart stop on the front of the carrier to stop the carts. the same thing happens when the Trigger Guard Plate Screw is loose. the plate is lower so the carrier is lower, thus the jam. Tighten and it goes away.

If there was only the one cart half in the action more than likely it was a short stroke, though.

Marlin Jam or other FTF?

Marlin Jam or other FTF?

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