Marlin 1894 Lever sticks on opening.

Post by **Old Savage** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 11:00 pm

Marlin 1894 lever sticks on opening. It closes normally with a little resistance but a little more than half the time sticks when trying to open it. Anyone encountered this? What is the cause? It does it with the bolt in or out.

meanc · Post by **meanc** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 11:18 pm

Sounds like the lever retention button thingy on the lever itself.

May need some oil in it.

Post by **Old Savage** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 1:17 am

Well Mean, no shortage of oil there but I think that is the issue. The spring seems stronger that on three of my others and the engagement under that little bar is much more positive.

I was looking for something more complicated inside because it is new. Won't take it apart now.

Texican · Post by **Texican** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 9:15 am

replacement springs are available for the 'lever retention button'. They usually come in sets with a reduced power mainspring for competition tuning. Check Brownells.... (or ask Kiowa)

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 10:56 am

O.S..
The friction stud was my guess as well. Since the rifle is new, I'd suggest some fondling, dry firing ( a moderate amount) and lots of live firing.
Live firing is the fastest way I've found to work in a new gun.

Joe

meanc · Post by **meanc** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 11:15 am

I picked my 1894 up a couple of years ago. It was made in 1974 and had the same exact problem.

I ended up just trimming the spring a couple of coils which fixed it 100%.

Post by **Old Savage** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 11:39 am

I have 1980 that is very smooth. This one does it much less dry firing.

oldgerboy · Post by **oldgerboy** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 8:19 pm

Try lightly oiling it. Sometimes, for whatever reason, be it a speck of rust or no lubrication we have found this hapening. A light oiling and work it to get the oil inside.