Home Forums Lever Action Central Lever Actions - General New Marlin 357/38 jams first time out of the box!

loaded with 357/180's or 38/130's put 3 in the mag, work the lever, lever comes back but will not go forward, cartridge looks like it is hung up, loading gate will not move upward. Tried it with short 38's, same problem, brand new gun will not feed, cartridge gets jammed at the bottom. Pull the lever and the cartridge pops out and you can dump it out the port. Never seen anything like it, gun has not ever been fired, new in box.

Welcomne to the 1894C blues!

is this common? First Marlin I have had with a problem, I am sending it back this week.

JimmyP: call marlin first, it feeds with some ammo but not others.

it feeds with nothing I tried, not even 38 special full metal patch 130 grain. They can keep it if its going to be a problem.

Can't help you, all of mine feed fine. Call Marlin

Check the length of your rounds and make sure the 357's aren't too long and the 38's not too short. Also, the 1894c typically does not like wadcutters and some semi wadcutters.

From the manual
If your rifle is chambered for 357 Magnum,it is designed to handle 357 Magnum factory-loaded ammunition (except wad cutters and shot shells).

It will also function with 38 Special cartridges that are within the length parameters shown below.

Minimum overall cartridge length � 1.400"
Maximum overall cartridge length � 1.590"

(NOTE: Since 38 Special cartridges are shorter than 357 Magnums, their use can cause a lead buildup in the forward part of the chamber. Be sure to thoroughly clean the chamber with a wire brush after using 38 Specials.)

If your rounds meet this criteria, then call Marlin. Their service is excellent. Since it's still under warranty, they'll pay for the shipping both ways and fix it at no charge.

I purchased a new Marlin 1894CSS in 357mag/38spcl in January and it would not feed anything. Major disappointment, as I have only purchase three "new" firearms in the last 40 years. I cycled the action almost 1,500 times, ran almost 500 dummy rounds through it. I did a "fluff & buff." The action became very smooth, but it would not feed ammo. I found the site linked below, performed what was described therein and presto, works like charm!

http://www.marlinowners.com/forums/index.php/topic,58595.0.html

YMMV. Best wishes.

its back at Marlin, if it don't feed 180 grain 357 magnum Remington Soft points, they can keep it.

Really good link here. In particular about the ammo..

thanks but they fixed it, also scratched up the magazine tube and dinged the stock. ON the other hand it casts Rem 180s from at 357 mag case real nice.

Tell them to send you a new one....!!!!