Accuracy tip for any Marlin Express rifle

[quietman]

Quick tip from the ex service manager / head gunsmith at marlin before they closed the factory.

Remove the screw holding the tube to the barrel. Loctite the screw, tighten it until finger tight with a screwdriver and then back off 1/2 turn. On the Marlin Express rifles, the tube is supposed to float, not be torqued down. Some of the rifles left the factory with the screw too tight.

[AJMD429]

Yep. First one I saw I just thought was a nice 'stainless Marlin', and since I like stainless leverguns, I picked it up. First thing I noticed was that the dovetail-mounted piece the magazine tube attaches to was LOOSE. I made a mental note that if I bought one, I'd pick a different one off the rack than the one the dealer showed me that day.

Only later, after reading on this forum about how to 'accurize' a levergun, did it dawn on me that it was intentional looseness.

[Old Savage]

The tube on my Model 94 Win 30-30 is somewhat loose. It will shoot 3/4" groups with the right ammo.

[Old No7]

Neat tip -- will have to try that on my 38-55 Cowboy.

Thanks!

Old No7

[quietman]

Neat tip -- will have to try that on my 38-55 Cowboy.

Thanks!

Old No7

Not sure how it will work on a cowboy, The tube attachment to the barrel on the marlin Express series is different from any other marlin made. Have had 2 people from marlin tell me that.

However, I have seen people put a small o-ring between the tube and the barrel on marlins where the tube is screwed to the barrel. Supposed to reduce vibration interaction and hod w/o quite as much torque as metal to metal.