Home Forums Lever Action Central Lever Actions - General Marlin 1894 jambs

I've owned a Marlin 1894 44mag since around '81 or '82. It has less than 40 rounds through it because, since day one, it has been a victom of the infamous Marlin jamb. While cycling a new round to the chamber, a second round feeds out of the mag and binds up the carrier. I've read where others have swapped out the carrier and had success and some that didn't. Before I go spending $85 on a carrier for a fix that may or may not work, has anybody here had the same problem and rectified it with an alternative solution?

I've read where the leading sharp edge of the lever cam can gouge a divot where it contacts the carrier, thereby setting up this scenario. This is not the case here since there is no wear on this virtually new carrier. I have relieved that sharp edge anyway.

In hindsight, I should have returned the rifle to Marlin for service while it was brand new.

I did a quick search here on this and found nothing, but if this has been a recurring topic I apologize.

check the screw that the carrier pivots on. a buddy of mine had a late 80s 357 mag 1894 that was a jamomatic out of the box about 2\3 of a turn and no more jams hope this will fix yours

Thanks 44mc. I checked. It's goodntight.

Have you tried different types of ammo to see if it might feed something better? I use Winchester white box in mine with no issues. If I try Leverrevolution, I'll sometimes have an issue.

gsganzer, no sir, I have not. When I bought it new almost 40 years ago, I bought two boxes of Rem 240 gr soft points. I still have 1/2 a box left. I got so disgusted with the gun, that I just stuck it in a safe and forgot about it. In researching this condition, I've read where others have stated different ammo OAL could be part of the problem, with Rem mentioned often. I intend to pick up a few different loads to try.

make sure all screws are tight........especially load gate.......

pull it down & clean/polish may help too......get rid of any burrs

Sell it to me....

I've never sold a gun in my life. Once I buy them, they have a forever home.

That's the silver lining to this whole situation. It's pre safety and in pristine condition, having languished in the back of a safe all this time with only 30 rounds through it.

Checked and done.

eagelmountain i would try different ammo it mite be the shape of the bullet

44mc, Yeah, Im going to place an order tomorrow for some Barnes, Federal, Hornady and Winchesters.

Round

Nose

Flat

Points..............

RNFP.........hand loads of course.......the economical way to shoot a lever 44......

Think I may have solved the problem Lots of repetitions so far, loading and cycling, without any failures. Fingers crossed...

What'd you do... what'd you do? Inquiring minds want to know.

gsganzer, I'd read in a few places where the problem lies with the carrier riding too low when it bottoms on the lower receiver. I cut about a 3/8" piece of a .032" feeler gauge and epoxied it to the flat pad on the underside of the carrier near the front. Haven't been able to duplicate the problem since. The affect would be the same as heating the carrier and bending it up slightly which I didn't feel comfortable doing, because of not knowing the precise degree to bend for the sweet spot. This way, I was able to play with different material thicknesses without stressing the carrier until I found the right one.

On another note, I might have to tweak the feed ramp just a bit. I've noticed that, very occasionally, a round will get a bit sticky entering the chamber

yes....JB Weld a thin piece of metal to bottom of carrier sometimes will help.......

saw blade....feeler gauge blade....too much & it throws it all outta whack

The threads that I've read about heating and bending mostly suggested about .05" adjustment. At .032, I'm well below that, and I have wiggle room in case I had to go more....though I don't think I'll have to, given the way its functioning now.

two part epoxy holds better than j b weld most of the time ruff up both parts

FOLLOW UP

Finally got to the range yesterday. Shot 1/2 a box each of three different ammos without a single hiccup. I'm calling this problem solved, finished, complete, end of story.

Well done you. And for coming back with the fix and transforming a mystery into a lesson, I dance the dance of Fulfilled Gratitude.

I bought an 1894 Marlin 44 mag from a local pawn shop recently. After a little clean up, I took it to the range just to check function. It was very hard to load and I was rather confused as to why. After three rounds I decided to see if I could figure out WTH was going on. Seems every screw on the little rifle was loose. After a good tightening of the screws its functioning fine. Being this virus crap is going around and nothing better to do, I pulled the rifle apart, steamed all the dents and scratch's out and gave it a few coats of Tru-oil. Now I have a near pristine JM 1894 44 mag. and didn't have to pay an arm and a leg for it.

good deal EMM