Home Forums Lever Action Central Marlin 336 Lever Actions Problem with 336

Hey fellas,

I have a 336 Texan that had seen some hard use in the past, with damaged screw heads on nearly all screws, so I decided to order a bunch of new screws, a new extractor, new follower and follower spring, and give the old girl a bit of a refurbish. Well upon re-assembly, I realized that the lever would open about 0.5", and then hit a wall. I believe the locking bolt is not coming down far enough to release the lever, or something similar. I'm very new to the 336, so I wondered if I had re-assembled it incorrectly. I've watched a bunch of assembly videos, all screws are in the correct locations, etc. The rifle functioned smoothly and flawlessly before I dis-assembled it, so I'm not sure what could be causing this. It seems like if I put lateral pressure on the lever to the left, I can sometimes get the lever to open all the way. Any tips or pointers? I'll try to get a vid up showing the behaviour.

Maybe the ejector? Is the little pin sticking out the top hole on the left side, and can you push it in against the spring tension when the action is closed?

I don’t know if that means anything, but I think I might’ve had that problem before with my 39 when I disassembled it and put the ejector back in incorrectly.

Thanks for the suggestion. Yep, that's seated correctly in the hole, and has spring tension with the action closed.

Here's a vid showing the problem:

Typically the loading gate screw. The loading gate can fit in there just a little cattywampus too.

Jordan, are you sure that the loading gate is seated and secured properly? CP.

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Two screws that hold the trigger assembly in place. one is on the bottom at the front of the receiver and the other is on the left side of the receiver just above the lever pivot. Exchange places with those two screws and your problem will go away. You will note that one is slightly longer than the other.
The longer one goes in the bottom position.

The BEST advice yet - thanks J

Loading gate and screw are installed correctly.

JBLEDSOE,

Thanks for the suggestion, but as noted in the OP, all screws are in the correct locations. Made sure those two screws weren’t swapped early on...

I am sorry you have not found the gremlin, but I do appreciate you taking the time to keep everyone informed of your pursuit. CP.

Just spitballing here...Maybe one of the new screws is a hair too long.

Have you tried re-installing all the original parts? "The rifle functioned smoothly and flawlessly before I dis-assembled it,.."

some times the new extractor need to be fitted .take it out an color it with a felt tip marker reinstall an look for scratches

Tried all the old parts, except the old extractor, same problem. The issue is slowly resolving itself, as I believe the new extractor is slowly breaking in.

some times they need a little polising

Check the out side edge of the extractor, I got one from Brownells that needed stoneing.

you may try this.....

slightly bend spring on ejector inwards....buff/polish the bolt side of spring

along with buff......not grind or sand the bolt's sliding surface

also very lightly smooth out the ejector sliding groove in bolt

600 grit & popsicle stick & oil....I polish the cam on lever also......

re assemble after lightly oiling and cycle action 100+ times

I like my Marlin lever guns......

http://www.rangerpointstore.com/categories/large-loop-levers-parts.html

I like mine a bit more beat up than that, east TX can be hard on guns.

I wish I knew the answer and will follow this thread. I like Marlin lever actions.

I didn't know you had lever guns Jordan, thought you were a bolt action guy lol. I imagine you figured it out by now, when they work right lever guns are a lot of fun to have around.

Did you take the receiver sight off? Make sure that the screws aren't extending into the bolt raceway. Just a thought...