Hey all, have a loading issue with my .444 Marlin. The first round goes in the magazine tube fine. Any following rounds may not. The following rounds sometimes only push the previous round a little ways down the tube and everything locks up. Pull the round out and the already loaded one doesn't come back to the loading gate. Cycling the action will bring the loaded round back to the gate. Opening the action is easy, closing it takes a bit of force. It does the same thing with subsequent rounds. It may take several tries but eventually you can load the magazine. Everything works fine then. No cycling or ejections issues. Just loading the magazine. I've not worked on many lever guns and would appreciate some insight. Thanks.
Sounds like a problem in the magazine tube. I would take it off and have a look. If you havent taken one off before, it is easy to do. Just remove the two screws on each side of the forearm, and the mag tube screw and it comes right off.
could be a couple things......do you know how to completely disassemble ?
pretty simple.....with correct sized screw drivers......watch U Tube vids........
Magazine tube could be dirty/cruddy........a new follower may help...clean inside tube
With my Marlins.....I pull down & completely buff innards......on buffer wheel & blue compound
Go over to 'marlinowners.com' good advise there....here's links for ideas......
I like them ole Marlins...........
https://www.rangerpointstore.com/shop-all/marlin-loading-gate-spring-flyweight-fast-easy-smooth/https://beartoothmercantile-2.myshopify.com/products/magazine-follower-brasshttps://www.marlinowners.com/forum/444-marlin/![[Linked Image]](https://i.imgur.com/Jb7Nypq.jpg)
If its the LeverE you gots to get the concave follower or push the last round in with a pencil or something then let it ride back into position.
Regular R-P brass with Hornady 265g FP's.