Marlin 1894 breech bolt fit

[Dana the Dane]

Just picked up a new 1894 Marlin in 44 mag. The breech bolt seems to be rather sloppily fitted and has some horizontal play in it. When in battery, the bottom right edge juts out just enough so that you can feel the edge. The gun shop I got it from tells me that this is normal, but I have a Marlin 1894C in .357 that I bought a fews years back that is well-fitted, with no play in the breech bolt whatsoever. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated! (yeah, I'm a newbie here.)
The gun seems to function OK, but not very accurate (but that may be me). Is this a potential safety issue?

[J Miller]

Dana,

Welcome to the forum.

I have a 2005 vintage 1894 Cowboy in .45 Colt. The bolt protrudes from the rear enough that if you're not careful you can snag you fingers on the bottom corner and it will cut. It's that sharp. When not locked up there is some horizontal play but I don't notice any when it's locked up.

Do you know when your 1894 was made? Marlin just recently changed owners and now they are getting ready to close down the New Haven plant for a move to NY or who knows.

If the accuracy when checked with a known factory load is sub par call Marlins service dept as soon as you can.

Joe

[Dana the Dane]

It is a NIB 1894. Serial # indicates mfg date of 2009.
(tried to call Marlin's service dept this morning (Friday)...I got a message saying that no one was available to take my call because the personnel were in some training class....well, I certainly hope the class was on proper customer service, because they are already off on the wrong foot as far as I am concerned.)

[bhk]

My understanding is that Marlin used to have a couple of milled cuts toward the front of the bolt for gas escape should a primer burst. Recently that have elimentated these cuts and adjusted the bolts so they look as though they are not quite closed all the way. You will probably also notice a gap at chamber end of the bolt, as well as the protruding bolt at the rear. This is the "new normal." Probably saves them a few pennies, but is sure looks sloppy.

[AJMD429]

I've had and handled 1894's of several vintages from 1970's to 2009, and the only one with much of a cosmetic issue was the 2009 1894CSS.
Here's my rant and pics of the 'flaws' in the new gun ---> http://www.levergunscommunity.com/viewt ... =1&t=20029

Still, it shoots fine - since it needed some cosmetic changes, in addition to the stock swap (see above thread), I chose it to make into one of my more useful, if 'nontraditional' guns.
I called the project my 'Night Scout' rifle ---> http://www.levergunscommunity.com/viewt ... =1&t=23531

It now sports a refinished stock and satin-brushed finish, plus the action slicked up as per articles on this forum.



SOME of the issue with mine was a VERY stiff extractor, which prevents FULL bolt closure unless a cartridge rim is under it, pushing it to the side enough to clear the beveled edge of the extractor cut in the barrel. That can be fixed, or will clear up with time, or can be ignored...

[J Miller]

Well, I must correct myself.

I got my 1894 out and looked it over pretty good. The bolt does not have any side to side movement when closed. I does have a small amount when opened.

IMG_0115.JPG

Here's a pic of it.
The overhang at the rear is slight, but sharp on the bottom outer corner.

Joe