Marlin won't fire..............Idea's???????

Boreman · Post by **Boreman** » Sun Feb 17, 2013 7:59 pm

My son has a 1981 vintage Marlin 1894 Carbine in 357 Mag. that won't fire.I think the rifle has a 2 piece firing pin. The firing pin appears to move to the rear when the bolt is levered and returned to battery.Could the firing pin in it's channel be gummed up enough to prevent the rifle from firing?
Any other idea's of what to look for when disassembled ?Need some help...........

44-40 Willy · Post by **44-40 Willy** » Sun Feb 17, 2013 8:07 pm

1st question: Is there a dent in the primer of the cartridge after you've tried to fire it and is it a good hard strike?

2nd question: Stock spring set or has someone replaced or modified the hammer spring?

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Sun Feb 17, 2013 8:13 pm

It's easy to remove the bolt for cleaning and inspection.

Once out you can get all your questions answered. There should be a front and rear firing pin, a little flat spring that keeps the rear part out of alignment with the front unless the action is locked. All this should move freely.
If it's not there, it's easy to see. If it's gummed up, it's easy to clean.

Joe

Boreman · Post by **Boreman** » Sun Feb 17, 2013 8:17 pm

44-40,
Good questions
Item one. No strike on the primer
Item two. The rifle sat in the closet of the old fellow he purchased it from for several years. The fellow only hunted with it,so I doubt if it had been altered.Don't really know.

Boreman · Post by **Boreman** » Sun Feb 17, 2013 8:21 pm

Thanks for the reply's. We are going take it appart tomorrow evening and look it over.Report later !!

Cast Bullet Hunter · Post by **Cast Bullet Hunter** » Sun Feb 17, 2013 10:40 pm

Two things likely. Either you are not holding the lever closed completely, which is the reason for the two-piece firing pin, so the gun will not fire unless completely locked. The other is you have a broken firing pin caused, generally, by dry-firing the gun without a snap cap.

jnyork · Post by **jnyork** » Sun Feb 17, 2013 11:18 pm

Cast Bullet Hunter wrote:Two things likely. Either you are not holding the lever closed completely, which is the reason for the two-piece firing pin, so the gun will not fire unless completely locked. The other is you have a broken firing pin caused, generally, by dry-firing the gun without a snap cap.

Make sure you are closing the lever FIRMLY, ALL THE WAY.

Post by **Hobie** » Sun Feb 17, 2013 11:42 pm

When in doubt clean it out. After that try it, check for broken firing pin.

Dan 444 · Post by **Dan 444** » Mon Feb 18, 2013 10:45 am

Hobie wrote:When in doubt clean it out. After that try it, check for broken firing pin.

+1.....probably gunked up or, less probable, broken. Take it apart, clean, oil, try it. If broken, Brownells and Midway have replacement parts.

Dan

Boreman · Post by **Boreman** » Mon Feb 18, 2013 7:57 pm

My son and took the rifle apart.The inside of the reciever ,carrier, locking bolt,bolt and other small parts were really gunked up. Took the bolt apart to discover "drum roll,please" a broken firing pin.
New pin and spring ordered.He should be back in business in a few days,Thanks for your help.Ron

piller · Post by **piller** » Tue Feb 19, 2013 7:12 am

I look forward to hearing that you have it back in business.

Marlin won't fire..............Idea's???????

Marlin won't fire..............Idea's???????

Re: Marlin won't fire..............Idea's???????

Re: Marlin won't fire..............Idea's???????

Re: Marlin won't fire..............Idea's???????

Re: Marlin won't fire..............Idea's???????

Re: Marlin won't fire..............Idea's???????

Re: Marlin won't fire..............Idea's???????

Re: Marlin won't fire..............Idea's???????

Re: Marlin won't fire..............Idea's???????

Re: Marlin won't fire..............Idea's??????? UPDATE

Re: Marlin won't fire..............Idea's???????