The Firing Line Forums

Go Back   The Firing Line Forums > The Hide > The Art of the Rifle: Bolt, Lever, and Pump Action

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old July 1, 2013, 10:07 AM   #1
SteelChickenShooter
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 12, 2011
Posts: 863
Q about Marlin lever

Can someone say if this is a fault condition or normal?
I have an older Marlin 336 dated about 1976, lacking the cross bolt safety as on newer versions. When the rifle is fully cocked and ready to fire, there is free play in the trigger. I can wiggle it forward and rearward about 3/8 inch easily. The rifle shoots well. Is there perhaps a spring missing or broken or is it normal to have this free play? I might take it apart and check it out or leave it be depending on what you guys say. I don't know if the inner parts for newer models or diagrams apply to the older production. Thanks.
SteelChickenShooter is offline  
Old July 1, 2013, 10:17 AM   #2
Salmoneye
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 31, 2011
Location: Vermont
Posts: 2,076
Perfectly normal 'trigger flop' on a Marlin 336...

There is a kit to 'fix' that 'feature':

http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts...prod16630.aspx
Salmoneye is offline  
Old July 1, 2013, 10:26 AM   #3
SteelChickenShooter
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 12, 2011
Posts: 863
"Unique, two-piece design eliminates annoying flop of the Marlin factory trigger"

Okay thanks so much for the quick reply. I see it is typical and known as trigger flop. No need for inspection or repair.
Thanks again.
SteelChickenShooter is offline  
Old July 1, 2013, 08:08 PM   #4
tahunua001
Senior Member
 
Join Date: July 21, 2011
Location: Idaho
Posts: 7,839
Somebody say something about a 'Q'?



sorry I couldn't resist.
__________________
ignore my complete lack of capitalization. I still have no problem correcting your grammar.
I never said half the stuff people said I did-Albert Einstein
You can't believe everything you read on the internet-Benjamin Franklin

Last edited by tahunua001; July 1, 2013 at 09:59 PM.
tahunua001 is offline  
Old July 11, 2013, 12:37 PM   #5
44 AMP
Staff
 
Join Date: March 11, 2006
Location: Upper US
Posts: 28,677
While it can be eliminated, the trigger "flop" is only a problem, if it bothers you, or affects you ability to shoot the rifle well.

The "flop" of the trigger actually has a beneficial effect, giving the trigger some "wiggle room" if you should brush/touch it with your finger(s) while working the lever. While it may not prevent a painful pinch, having some trigger flop means that it might decrease the odds of it happening...
__________________
All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.
44 AMP is offline  
Old July 11, 2013, 12:51 PM   #6
TheBear
Senior Member
 
Join Date: April 11, 2011
Posts: 303
youll get used to it soon, i dont think you need to "fix" it.
TheBear is offline  
Old July 11, 2013, 01:55 PM   #7
Salmoneye
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 31, 2011
Location: Vermont
Posts: 2,076
It drives some people crazy...

I'm not one of them...
Salmoneye is offline  
Old July 11, 2013, 03:07 PM   #8
SteelChickenShooter
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 12, 2011
Posts: 863
I'm ok with it now that I know it is typical.
Just not used to it from handling so many newer rifles.
SteelChickenShooter is offline  
Old July 12, 2013, 10:17 PM   #9
steveNChunter
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 14, 2012
Location: Southern Appalachian Mtns
Posts: 1,520
I have a '70's 336 in .35 rem, and yes it does have that flop too. But man does it have a nice, light trigger to be factory. love those old Marlins. Sadly they don't make 'em like they used to. Just embrace the floppiness, after all the gun is nearly 40, a little floppiness is to be expected by that age
__________________
DEO VINDICE
steveNChunter is offline  
Old July 13, 2013, 04:43 AM   #10
Chowder
Senior Member
 
Join Date: July 3, 2012
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 449
I have the trigger happy kit from wild west guns on my 1894, It was a night and day difference. not only removing the "flop" but over all a much nicer trigger.

EDIT: As others have said after a bit I never even noticed the "flop". But still recommend the trigger happy kit for a lighter crisper feel.
Chowder is offline  
Old July 13, 2013, 04:46 AM   #11
Chowder
Senior Member
 
Join Date: July 3, 2012
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 449
Oh and Tahunua... Awesome Q reference lol
Chowder is offline  
Old July 13, 2013, 02:13 PM   #12
tahunua001
Senior Member
 
Join Date: July 21, 2011
Location: Idaho
Posts: 7,839
thanks, I never thought that I'd ever be the guy making ST jokes.

as for the OP so I'm not just posting irrelevant jokes. I have no clue myself, all of my experience is with the newer safety style.
__________________
ignore my complete lack of capitalization. I still have no problem correcting your grammar.
I never said half the stuff people said I did-Albert Einstein
You can't believe everything you read on the internet-Benjamin Franklin
tahunua001 is offline  
Old July 13, 2013, 02:58 PM   #13
idek
Senior Member
 
Join Date: August 20, 2009
Posts: 903
Quote:
I'm ok with it now that I know it is typical.
Just not used to it from handling so many newer rifles.
Quote:
I have no clue myself, all of my experience is with the newer safety style.
Don't the newer Marlins have the trigger flop anymore? I have an 1894c made around 2000 with the cross bolt safety and that had the trigger flop (before the trigger happy kit).
idek is offline  
Old July 13, 2013, 06:50 PM   #14
tahunua001
Senior Member
 
Join Date: July 21, 2011
Location: Idaho
Posts: 7,839
I had an 88 1894 and my brother in law has a 2011 1895, both use the same safety style so I'm guessing 88 used the new style. neither have the trigger flop that I've noticed.
__________________
ignore my complete lack of capitalization. I still have no problem correcting your grammar.
I never said half the stuff people said I did-Albert Einstein
You can't believe everything you read on the internet-Benjamin Franklin
tahunua001 is offline  
Old July 14, 2013, 05:19 AM   #15
Salmoneye
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 31, 2011
Location: Vermont
Posts: 2,076
The Cross-Bolt Safety has nothing whatsoever to do with trigger flop...
Salmoneye is offline  
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:17 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
This site and contents, including all posts, Copyright © 1998-2021 S.W.A.T. Magazine
Copyright Complaints: Please direct DMCA Takedown Notices to the registered agent: thefiringline.com
Page generated in 0.08676 seconds with 10 queries