Selling a rifle with a defect

chaz12 · October 27, 2009, 05:41 PM

I have a Malin 336W lever action in .30-30 that I bought used. It has always had a problem with jamming during ejection. The frequency varies a lot, but let's say it averages about 2 rounds out of 20. The action will just be locked up tight, the lever won't budge. After a brief time it will finally open for unknown reasons and then ejects normally. I took it to a local gunsmith who smoothed the chamber he said, but it didn't help. I decided to either send it back to Marlin to get fixed or just sell it.

If I send it back, I'm estimating 70 dollars shipping (for both ways) plus let's say 50 dollars to fix it. That's a total of 120 dollars (if I'm lucky) to fix a 300 dollar rifle, and there is the possibility that when I get it back it still won't work.

The other option would seem to be to take it to a gun show and try to sell it for around 200 dollars, mentioning up front that it jams some times.

I think I'm leaning towards selling it, but would like to hear other opinions. Do you think a person could get 200.00 for it?

Chaz

bigghoss · October 27, 2009, 05:44 PM

I know this isn't technically on topic but have you tried asking about the problem over at the marlin forum? they might be able to help you fix it.

www.marlinowners.com

GONIF · October 27, 2009, 06:06 PM

you may be right to want to sell it if your in it more than what it's worth .if you tell the buyer and he is willing to give what you want ,it's a win win . if you can't trust it ,sell it .

brocken · October 27, 2009, 06:11 PM

I would try selling it and being honest before spending half of what the gun is worth to fix it.

jgcoastie · October 27, 2009, 06:16 PM

Did you try switching ammo?

snipecatcher · October 27, 2009, 06:33 PM

I bet if you send it in to Marlin you will only be out of about 20 bucks shipping one way...

mapsjanhere · October 27, 2009, 06:55 PM

Yes, shouldn't be more, shipping to gunsmiths for repair is expressively exempt from FFL requirement.

dahermit · October 27, 2009, 07:20 PM

I purchased a TC Hunter Rifle (not pistol), from a gun shop/gunsmith for a very low price. When I got it home, it would not fire. Being very curious about mechanical workings of guns, I studied it for about a week. I detected that the safety would not come off all the way to allow the gun to fire. There was evidence (polished surfaces), that the gunsmith had worked on the gun and failed to fix it...thus the unusually low price. In short, I discovered the problem, fixed it with a .003 shim and the gun worked fine. Over the years I have purchased several guns (some used, some new), that had defects that I found and corrected. I love the challenge. Others not so mechanically inclined, may not appreciate the challenge as much.
As to the jamming Marlin, it cannot be a real serious mechanical problem. The problem will be diagnosing the problem.

Grainraiser · October 27, 2009, 08:31 PM

I would try the Marlin Forum first and see what they say. If you decide to sell it for $200 let me know because I will take it more than likely.

Reggie

Ifishsum · November 9, 2009, 12:09 AM

A friend of mine had one that did exactly what you described. Turned out to be a loose screw that supported the shell lifter I believe - once I tightened it up it has worked flawlessly. It was the screw in the center of the receiver on the right side IIRC.

Goatwhiskers · November 9, 2009, 07:39 AM

There is a small screw on the right side to the rear of the loading gate. Find a small screwdriver that FITS and tighten. You will see the loading gate draw up. This is a common Marlin problem and will cause the action to lock. Here endeth the lesson. Goatwhiskers the Elder

October 27, 2009, 05:41 PM	#1
chaz12 Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2008 Posts: 223	Selling a rifle with a defect I have a Malin 336W lever action in .30-30 that I bought used. It has always had a problem with jamming during ejection. The frequency varies a lot, but let's say it averages about 2 rounds out of 20. The action will just be locked up tight, the lever won't budge. After a brief time it will finally open for unknown reasons and then ejects normally. I took it to a local gunsmith who smoothed the chamber he said, but it didn't help. I decided to either send it back to Marlin to get fixed or just sell it. If I send it back, I'm estimating 70 dollars shipping (for both ways) plus let's say 50 dollars to fix it. That's a total of 120 dollars (if I'm lucky) to fix a 300 dollar rifle, and there is the possibility that when I get it back it still won't work. The other option would seem to be to take it to a gun show and try to sell it for around 200 dollars, mentioning up front that it jams some times. I think I'm leaning towards selling it, but would like to hear other opinions. Do you think a person could get 200.00 for it? Chaz

October 27, 2009, 05:44 PM	#2
bigghoss Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2006 Location: Pueblo, Colorado Posts: 2,664	I know this isn't technically on topic but have you tried asking about the problem over at the marlin forum? they might be able to help you fix it. www.marlinowners.com __________________ I don't collect guns, I accumulate them.

October 27, 2009, 06:06 PM	#3
GONIF Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2009 Location: PHOENIX IT'S A DRY HEAT AZ Posts: 844	you may be right to want to sell it if your in it more than what it's worth .if you tell the buyer and he is willing to give what you want ,it's a win win . if you can't trust it ,sell it . __________________ WHO ME ?

October 27, 2009, 06:16 PM	#5
jgcoastie Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Location: Kodiak, Alaska Posts: 2,118	Did you try switching ammo? __________________ "To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them." -Richard Henry Lee, Virginia delegate to the Continental Congress, initiator of the Declaration of Independence, and member of the first Senate, which passed the Bill of Rights.

October 27, 2009, 06:55 PM	#7
mapsjanhere Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 2,832	Yes, shouldn't be more, shipping to gunsmiths for repair is expressively exempt from FFL requirement. __________________ I used to love being able to hit hard at 1000 yards. As I get older I find hitting a mini ram at 200 yards with the 22 oddly more satisfying.

October 27, 2009, 06:11 PM	#4
brocken Member Join Date: August 16, 2008 Posts: 25	I would try selling it and being honest before spending half of what the gun is worth to fix it.

October 27, 2009, 06:33 PM	#6
snipecatcher Senior Member Join Date: February 1, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 314	I bet if you send it in to Marlin you will only be out of about 20 bucks shipping one way...

October 27, 2009, 07:20 PM	#8
dahermit Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2006 Location: South Central Michigan...near Posts: 6,501	I purchased a TC Hunter Rifle (not pistol), from a gun shop/gunsmith for a very low price. When I got it home, it would not fire. Being very curious about mechanical workings of guns, I studied it for about a week. I detected that the safety would not come off all the way to allow the gun to fire. There was evidence (polished surfaces), that the gunsmith had worked on the gun and failed to fix it...thus the unusually low price. In short, I discovered the problem, fixed it with a .003 shim and the gun worked fine. Over the years I have purchased several guns (some used, some new), that had defects that I found and corrected. I love the challenge. Others not so mechanically inclined, may not appreciate the challenge as much. As to the jamming Marlin, it cannot be a real serious *mechanical* problem. The problem will be diagnosing the problem.

October 27, 2009, 08:31 PM	#9
Grainraiser Member Join Date: September 30, 2009 Location: DFW Posts: 77	I would try the Marlin Forum first and see what they say. If you decide to sell it for $200 let me know because I will take it more than likely. Reggie

November 9, 2009, 12:09 AM	#10
Ifishsum Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2005 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,033	A friend of mine had one that did exactly what you described. Turned out to be a loose screw that supported the shell lifter I believe - once I tightened it up it has worked flawlessly. It was the screw in the center of the receiver on the right side IIRC.

November 9, 2009, 07:39 AM	#11
Goatwhiskers Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2009 Location: Batchelor, La. Posts: 579	There is a small screw on the right side to the rear of the loading gate. Find a small screwdriver that FITS and tighten. You will see the loading gate draw up. This is a common Marlin problem and will cause the action to lock. Here endeth the lesson. Goatwhiskers the Elder