marlin 1894 c 38/357

sewerman · March 8, 2009, 09:11 PM

i have had nothing but trouble with feeding issues using factory and handloaded ammo meeting the OAL parameters from day one with this rifle.

i wish i had purchased a uberti or even a henry instead.

i'm hoping marlin will make this right.

seems like marlin's Q.C. is slipping.

sewerman

Hawg · March 8, 2009, 11:56 PM

Is that with .38's or .357's? A lot of rifles in magnum calibers don't like to feed the short cartridges it's not just Marlin.

Deadguy · March 10, 2009, 01:13 PM

My Marlin 1894c doesn't like to load .357 mags smoothly, though it will load them, but it loves .38 specials loaded to max SAAMI spec OAL. Go figure.

CraigC · March 10, 2009, 01:38 PM

Quote:

seems like marlin's Q.C. is slipping.

Yes, one problem with one rifle is always an indication that a manufacturer is going down the tubes.

les265 · March 11, 2009, 07:05 PM

I have the same gun and don't have any problems. I have heard that semi-wadcutters will hang up in lever actions. I use jacketed hollow point reloads and factory ammo in mine.

Bones507 · March 12, 2009, 03:21 AM

Mine gave me trouble with 180gr jacketed but with 158 gr bullets it works fine.

sewerman · March 15, 2009, 01:39 PM

i used a factory round that seemed to feed quite well as a guide for OAL .....i think 1.574" and so far the feed problem has been alleiviated. the factory magtech RN .38spl hung up on the chamber lip if racked too slow & and the .357 seemed to bind as they entered the chamber what appeared to be sideways and off bore axis. everything is better now.

i also think i was racking the action too slowly.

still not as smooth as my 1956 marlin 30-30!

later,
sewerman

March 8, 2009, 09:11 PM	#1
sewerman Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2005 Location: hurricane alley, florida Posts: 304	marlin 1894 c 38/357 i have had nothing but trouble with feeding issues using factory and handloaded ammo meeting the OAL parameters from day one with this rifle. i wish i had purchased a uberti or even a henry instead. i'm hoping marlin will make this right. seems like marlin's Q.C. is slipping. sewerman __________________ "When the government fears the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government there is tyranny!" Thomas Jefferson "They that can give up an essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety!" Benjamin franklin The Armed Citizen PREVENTS tyranny!

March 15, 2009, 01:39 PM	#7
sewerman Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2005 Location: hurricane alley, florida Posts: 304	i used a factory round that seemed to feed quite well as a guide for OAL .....i think 1.574" and so far the feed problem has been alleiviated. the factory magtech RN .38spl hung up on the chamber lip if racked too slow & and the .357 seemed to bind as they entered the chamber what appeared to be sideways and off bore axis. everything is better now. i also think i was racking the action too slowly. still not as smooth as my 1956 marlin 30-30! later, sewerman __________________ "When the government fears the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government there is tyranny!" Thomas Jefferson "They that can give up an essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety!" Benjamin franklin The Armed Citizen PREVENTS tyranny!

March 8, 2009, 11:56 PM	#2
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	Is that with .38's or .357's? A lot of rifles in magnum calibers don't like to feed the short cartridges it's not just Marlin.

March 10, 2009, 01:13 PM	#3
Deadguy Member Join Date: April 17, 2008 Location: WI Posts: 93	My Marlin 1894c doesn't like to load .357 mags smoothly, though it will load them, but it loves .38 specials loaded to max SAAMI spec OAL. Go figure.

March 11, 2009, 07:05 PM	#5
les265 Member Join Date: March 29, 2008 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 33	I have the same gun and don't have any problems. I have heard that semi-wadcutters will hang up in lever actions. I use jacketed hollow point reloads and factory ammo in mine.

March 12, 2009, 03:21 AM	#6
Bones507 Senior Member Join Date: January 18, 2007 Posts: 132	Mine gave me trouble with 180gr jacketed but with 158 gr bullets it works fine.