Marlin 39 piece missing

El Chivo · Post by **El Chivo** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 11:36 am

I took my Model 39A in to the gunsmith because it was jamming frequently. Cases would stick in the chamber and not eject. I changed the extractor and no difference.

I thought the gunsmith would check the chamber for sizing, polish it maybe, just take a look. I picked it up and put about 200 rounds through it. There was no description of the work done, and the gunsmith wasn't in when I picked it up. Cycling felt different but worked.

Yesterday I was cleaning it and noticed that there's a part missing. It's a small piece of spring steel that is screwed to the inside of the receiver just next to the chamber throat. I suspect it guides the round into the chamber. It also stops a case from backing out.

Is this part necessary? Without it, if I have a stuck case, I can back it out manually. And the rifle still cycles, although it felt a little smoother before. But if there's a major reason to have it there I'll get it replaced.

jnyork · Post by **jnyork** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 2:22 pm

The part you are talking about is the cartridge guide spring, a little flat spring the guides the nose of the cartridge into the chamber. They are a common cause of malfunctions as you describe, namely that they get bent down a little too far and the cartridge rim catches on them when you try to extract the spent cartridge. They are easily replaced, only a couple of buck and even a cave man can do it. Sounds to me like your gunsmith simply removed it to solve your extraction problem which is OK until you start getting feed problems or shaving lead off your bullets as you chamber them. Hopefully your gunsmith left you the screw, which you will see the head of in the middle of the top of the receiver. Order a new cartridge guide spring from Brownell's, put it in and go shoot.

marlinman93 · Post by **marlinman93** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 7:16 pm

Pretty hard to leave the screw if the guide is gone, as the screw wont stay in if the guide is gone.

jnyork · Post by **jnyork** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 8:23 pm

marlinman93 wrote:Pretty hard to leave the screw if the guide is gone, as the screw wont stay in if the guide is gone.

Ya know, yer right!! Must have had a case of CRS or something!!

El Chivo · Post by **El Chivo** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 3:39 am

Well, I don't have the screw or the guide. I do have lead chips all in the action. Time to order a few from Brownells.

If that's the cause of my jamming, I'll be happy with the replacements.

jnyork · Post by **jnyork** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 2:01 pm

That's the cause of your jamming and the lead shavings in the action.