Gunsmith Question - Marlin loading gate

[Texican]

I have a pre-safety 1894 Marlin in .44 mag that requires waaaay to much force to load. (plus the inside edge of the frame window is sharp enough to shave brass off the cartridges.)

So my question is: What's the best way to reduce the loading gate tension?

Steve? I'd appreciate your input on this one.

[AJMD429]

Steve will probably cringe at my answer for the 'brass shaving' loading gate - I used the chain-saw sharpener stone from my Dremel tool to smooth the loading gate, and some 600 grit paper on a pencil to give it the final surface...

He'll have to answer the other part.

[Cliff]

Well the first thing to do is get another loading gate from Marlin. Then stone the one you have to break the sharp edges, maybe hour glass the spring portion a wee tiny bit to reduce the spring tension. Careful on the reduction of spring tension, it doesn't take much. Oh yeah, might as well get another screw which holds the loading gate in place in case you lose the one in there now. Just cut with a stone a little bit at a time and remove the sharp edges. Also check the magazine follower in the tube to make sure it is moving freely and also clean and oil(lightly) the magazine tube and spring. All in all it doesn't take much to correct the problem, but it can be easy to screw up as well. Have spares on hand. Good Luck.

[marlinman93]

My personal opinion is don't touch the spring part of your loading gate. Polishing the edges so it doesn't shave brass as you push it through is great! Do the inside edge of the receiver opening with a jeweler's stone in a Dremel, it doesn't cut much, but will simply polish metal. They look like rubber with abrasive inpregnated into it.
You can also polish the front edge of the gate towards the mag tube. Polishing these two spots will make a world of difference in how easy the brass slides through to the mag tube.