Marlin 45-70 cycling issues

kemassey · May 1, 2010, 05:36 PM

Just used my 1895 Classic 45-70 for the first time today. Gun has never been used before. Almost every round had cycling issues. I can get the spent shell out with no problems but getting a new shell chambered takes some work. I have to work the lever back and forth a little to get a new shell in. I used both remington and hornady lever evolution ammo. The hornady didn't cycle good anytime. The remington did much better and seemed to shot better also. I did clean the gun before shooting. What can I do to fix this? I'm going to remove the lever and see it there is sharp edge on the follower? I read an article about carefully filing this sharp edge down. I've had twenty round through the rifle and literally a problem with every cycle. I racked the lever as fast as possible but that didn't help either. I did order a bear proof ejector from cabela's so will see how that works. Hope someone can help.
The Hornady ammo is really dirty shooting ammo. The Rem is much cleaner.
Happy Hunting.

overland · May 1, 2010, 06:19 PM

I had that problem with a brand new 1895 45-70 and Hornady Lever-revolution ammo. It eventually jammed the rifle with the lever stuck open after five rounds. I did not try to diagnose the problem. I sent it back to Marlin for warranty repair. Got is back in two weeks and it works perfectly. Unfortunately, they did not state in the work order what they repaired.

tbotts · May 1, 2010, 06:46 PM

Had the same exact problem with my 1895. I sent it to Marlin to be fixed. They have had it since Mar 29th. I am going to wait 2 more weeks and then give them a call to check the status.
I am not the original owner, I bought it at a gun show.

overland · May 1, 2010, 10:07 PM

Really makes one wonder if you can trust that rifle to fire more than one round in an emergency. Hate to have an angry bear charging me and it jams after one shot.

nogo · May 1, 2010, 10:40 PM

Send it back and save yourself a ton of trouble.

nogo

mathman · May 1, 2010, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Hate to have an angry bear charging me and it jams after one shot.

No kidding...that's why I figure the Benelli loaded with 6 Brenneke slugs is a better choice for me. That's 6 hard hitting rounds as fast as I can pull the trigger...with no worries about cycling.

Stiofan · May 2, 2010, 12:53 AM

I've never had a problem with mine, but it's probably over 20 years old now. Maybe this is only with the newer guns. My Marlin is the one gun I would trust in bear country, and I do. I'd send it back to Marlin and fix the problem once and for all.

**44 AMP** · May 2, 2010, 03:17 AM

New, under warranty, let the factory deal with it.

I've had an 1895 for a couple decades, and have no issues with it, except the recoil with stout loads! And that's my fault.

dodge · May 2, 2010, 08:33 AM

Maybe that the extractor is too tight. Does the rounds stand too high and the bullet is catching at the top of the chamber? A friend of mine has had the same problem and that is what he found out to be the problem. He's living with it as is because he figures that with use it will loosen up and work right. Myself I would probably send it back in and get it repaired.

badlander · May 2, 2010, 08:46 AM

Thought I had A problem when my 1895 GS was new. Try levering it like you mean it. Worked fine for me. Smooths up with use.

May 1, 2010, 05:36 PM	#1
kemassey Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2009 Posts: 148	Marlin 45-70 cycling issues Just used my 1895 Classic 45-70 for the first time today. Gun has never been used before. Almost every round had cycling issues. I can get the spent shell out with no problems but getting a new shell chambered takes some work. I have to work the lever back and forth a little to get a new shell in. I used both remington and hornady lever evolution ammo. The hornady didn't cycle good anytime. The remington did much better and seemed to shot better also. I did clean the gun before shooting. What can I do to fix this? I'm going to remove the lever and see it there is sharp edge on the follower? I read an article about carefully filing this sharp edge down. I've had twenty round through the rifle and literally a problem with every cycle. I racked the lever as fast as possible but that didn't help either. I did order a bear proof ejector from cabela's so will see how that works. Hope someone can help. The Hornady ammo is really dirty shooting ammo. The Rem is much cleaner. Happy Hunting. Last edited by kemassey; May 2, 2010 at 12:58 AM.

May 2, 2010, 03:17 AM	#8
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 30,484	New, under warranty, let the factory deal with it. I've had an 1895 for a couple decades, and have no issues with it, except the recoil with stout loads! And that's my fault. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

May 1, 2010, 06:19 PM	#2
overland Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2009 Location: Outback of Michigan Posts: 244	I had that problem with a brand new 1895 45-70 and Hornady Lever-revolution ammo. It eventually jammed the rifle with the lever stuck open after five rounds. I did not try to diagnose the problem. I sent it back to Marlin for warranty repair. Got is back in two weeks and it works perfectly. Unfortunately, they did not state in the work order what they repaired.

May 1, 2010, 06:46 PM	#3
tbotts Member Join Date: May 20, 2004 Posts: 18	Had the same exact problem with my 1895. I sent it to Marlin to be fixed. They have had it since Mar 29th. I am going to wait 2 more weeks and then give them a call to check the status. I am not the original owner, I bought it at a gun show.

May 1, 2010, 10:07 PM	#4
overland Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2009 Location: Outback of Michigan Posts: 244	Really makes one wonder if you can trust that rifle to fire more than one round in an emergency. Hate to have an angry bear charging me and it jams after one shot.

May 1, 2010, 10:40 PM	#5
nogo Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2009 Location: central texas Posts: 215	Send it back and save yourself a ton of trouble. nogo

May 2, 2010, 12:53 AM	#7
Stiofan Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2006 Location: Panhandle, Idaho Posts: 714	I've never had a problem with mine, but it's probably over 20 years old now. Maybe this is only with the newer guns. My Marlin is the one gun I would trust in bear country, and I do. I'd send it back to Marlin and fix the problem once and for all.

May 2, 2010, 08:33 AM	#9
dodge Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2001 Location: ridgerunner from Northern PA Posts: 291	Maybe that the extractor is too tight. Does the rounds stand too high and the bullet is catching at the top of the chamber? A friend of mine has had the same problem and that is what he found out to be the problem. He's living with it as is because he figures that with use it will loosen up and work right. Myself I would probably send it back in and get it repaired.

May 2, 2010, 08:46 AM	#10
badlander Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2008 Location: So. Fla Posts: 344	Thought I had A problem when my 1895 GS was new. Try levering it like you mean it. Worked fine for me. Smooths up with use.