The Marlin Crossbolt Safety

Bigahh · Post by **Bigahh** » Sat May 10, 2008 7:59 pm

I saw Hobie's post up in the one sticky about the Marlin Cross bolt safety. He gave a couple of good ideas on disabling it, or replacing it totally. Can the safety be totally reversed for a Left Handed shooter? I sometimes have a problem with my shotgun with the right handed safety pushing over from my hand during recoil. Not sure yet if this is possible with a Marlin rifle, but if it is I want to do something with it.

Leverdude · Post by **Leverdude** » Sat May 10, 2008 8:27 pm

I dont think so but I never tried. Theres a ball detent involved that I think would prevent it from being turnt around.

1886 · Post by **1886** » Sat May 10, 2008 8:30 pm

Clyde Ludwig(sp?) sells a replacement fixture that looks like a screw. 1886.

Post by **Hobie** » Sat May 10, 2008 9:41 pm

If it bugs you because you're left handed, delete it. To me, that thing is a sure fire way to have problems not solve problems. Mr. Ludwig's product is the way to go I think.

nemhed · Post by **nemhed** » Sun May 11, 2008 8:34 am

Here's what both sides of the Ludwig replacement looks like:

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Sun May 11, 2008 10:10 am

There is one way to disable the safety that is quick, simple, cheap, reversible, and does not require altering the rifle. That is simply slip a tight fitting O-ring over the grove in the left side of the safety. Until you remove the O-ring you cannot move the safety button even by intent.

When I bought my 1894 Marlin it had such an O-ring. I left it there until I put the Clyde Ludwig replacement part in. (Which I don't like, but it's better than the safety. )

Joe

foxtrapper · Post by **foxtrapper** » Sun May 11, 2008 10:58 am

Joe how come you don't like the Clyde replacement? Except for the color difference I think it does the job well

. I think its made from aluminum. I had a Marlin re blued with the replacement part installed and it and the steel came out the same color.

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Sun May 11, 2008 6:13 pm

foxtrapper wrote:Joe how come you don't like the Clyde replacement? Except for the color difference I think it does the job well . I think its made from aluminum. I had a Marlin re blued with the replacement part installed and it and the steel came out the same color.

foxtrapper,

The Clyde Ludwig replacement I have is steel. The reason I don't like it is that it sits below flush of the right side of the receiver, and that fake screw slot makes the rifle look busy. If it fit flush with both sides and did not have that screw slot I wouldn't mind so much.

Joe

1886 · Post by **1886** » Mon May 12, 2008 5:31 am

I agree with Joe. The replacement does need to be .030-.050" longer. However Mr. Ludwig's invention makes it possible for me to own newer Marlins because I could not live with that horrible cross bolt safety. I really like Mr. Ludwig's product. In fact I have decided that I can no longer live with my new 86s because of that xx%&--- tang safety. I have been fortunate to find two B 86s recently. 1886.

jlchucker · Post by **jlchucker** » Mon May 12, 2008 7:32 am

Where can we get Mr. Ludwig's part? Can anyone post an address?

JimT · Post by **JimT** » Mon May 12, 2008 7:49 am

jlchucker wrote:Where can we get Mr. Ludwig's part? Can anyone post an address?

http://www.leverguns.com/articles/taylo ... safety.htm

In my guns the replacement from Mr. Ludqwig fit just like the original screws in the gun. Look at the photos in the article above.

cas · Post by **cas** » Mon May 12, 2008 4:27 pm

See, there ya go. Everyone has their own feelings. I wish it had screw slots on both sides.

Leverdude · Post by **Leverdude** » Mon May 12, 2008 7:21 pm

Only complaint I have abut the Ludwig deal is the blue is slightly off from the gun. Nobody but me has ever noticed tho.

JimT · Post by **JimT** » Tue May 13, 2008 1:10 am

Leverdude wrote:Only complaint I have abut the Ludwig deal is the blue is slightly off from the gun. Nobody but me has ever noticed tho.

If you use your gun enough, the blue is worn so splotchy it don't matter. Of course, if all you do is look at it ....

nemhed · Post by **nemhed** » Tue May 13, 2008 11:17 am

I bought two of these and he doesn't charge extra for multiple orders. I'm tickled pink with the fit, function,appearance, and price of mine. Clyde is awesome! (No, I'm not a paid endorser)

deerwhacker444 · Post by **deerwhacker444** » Tue May 13, 2008 11:26 am

.
Or you can make your own out of whatever material you like.

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Tue May 13, 2008 12:11 pm

deerwhacker444,

Thanks for posting that drawing. I saved it. I don't have the tools to make one, but should I find someone who does, I'm all set.

Joe

slabsides · Post by **slabsides** » Tue May 13, 2008 3:43 pm

Poissonilly, I don't see what's the matter with the Marlin crossbolt safety. I have one on my .45-70, but not on my .357. What I really think was gross was the raised hump side safety boss on the Winchesters of a few years ago. Looked like the gun had a goitre. I guess they did away with it just before Win. took the big slide, too little too late.
I just ignore the Marlin safety, and continue to use the half cock like I have on levers for 60 years. If I thought it was important, I'd go in and tighten the set screw so it wouldn't move off 'fire'. Otherwise, no fault, no blame. There are guns on which the esthetics are revolting, viz. the Winchester safety referred to above. But the Marlin button is unobtrusive and inoffensive to me.

Leverdude · Post by **Leverdude** » Tue May 13, 2008 4:09 pm

JimT wrote:
Leverdude wrote:Only complaint I have abut the Ludwig deal is the blue is slightly off from the gun. Nobody but me has ever noticed tho.
If you use your gun enough, the blue is worn so splotchy it don't matter. Of course, if all you do is look at it ....

Guess you got a point

I like it & would buy another.

Bigahh · Post by **Bigahh** » Tue May 13, 2008 8:02 pm

I don't know yet if Mr. Ludwig has this in Stainless, but I don't even care, I am putting it in my Stainless Rifle no matter what. I figure it's better than the original cross bolt.

meanc · Post by **meanc** » Tue May 13, 2008 8:55 pm

I don't know yet if Mr. Ludwig has this in Stainless, but I don't even care, I am putting it in my Stainless Rifle no matter what

I guess you could just take the blue off and give it a coat of Birchwood sheath. Or just highly polish it.

Either way, it'll fix what ails you.

4t5 · Post by **4t5** » Wed May 14, 2008 8:24 pm

What's all the fuss about I have two MARLINS and the safety doesn't bother me?

Post by **Chuck 100 yd** » Wed May 14, 2008 8:32 pm

I agree with 4T5 , They dont bother me either.

meanc · Post by **meanc** » Wed May 14, 2008 8:56 pm

What's all the fuss about I have two MARLINS and the safety doesn't bother me?

Because it's an abomination on an otherwise perfectly safe firearm. They worked well enough for almost 100yrs without it, and that's how I prefer them.

I've got Marlins and Winchesters with them, but I hate the way they look.

Post by **Hobie** » Wed May 14, 2008 9:10 pm

meanc wrote:
What's all the fuss about I have two MARLINS and the safety doesn't bother me?
Because it's an abomination on an otherwise perfectly safe firearm. They worked well enough for almost 100yrs without it, and that's how I prefer them.

Dittos!