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Author Topic: Help! Model 30AS Failure to Fire  (Read 783 times)

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Offline PeterCartwright

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Help! Model 30AS Failure to Fire
« on: June 17, 2006, 08:38:45 AM »
I picked up an exceptionally clean Model 30 AS (.30-30) last Fall.  Didn't get around to taking it to the range until several months later.  The carbine required two or three hammer strikes to detonate the primer.

I assumed it may be a weak hammer spring, so I ordered a couple of new springs from Brownells (along with their armorers video on Marlin lever guns).  Unfortunately, that hasn't solved the problem.

I haven't stripped the bolt.  (The gun was pretty gunked with cosmolene or something very much like it).  Is it possible that the two piece firing pin is just gummed up enough to retard the momentum of the spring?  If not, should I replace both parts of the firing pin?

Anybody have any experience with  this problem?
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Offline ScoutMan

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Help! Model 30AS Failure to Fire
« Reply #1 on: June 17, 2006, 12:34:27 PM »
Peter,

If you have second thoughts about stripping the bolt, then do the following.
1-Get a can of break cleaner or carb cleaner from your favorite WalMart.
2-Flood the firing pin unit with the carb cleaner or brake pad cleaner.
3-Go to your favorite auto repair center and borrow their compressed air hose.
4-Flush out the firing pin container.
5-Repeat as necessary.

The best option is to strip the bolt and clean out the whole area with carb cleaner. Lube with a dry lube or graphite.
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If you can get closer, get closer
If you can get steadier, get steadier.

A telescope helps you see; it does not help you hold and squeeze.-Jeff Cooper

Offline PeterCartwright

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Help! Model 30AS Failure to Fire
« Reply #2 on: June 17, 2006, 12:59:47 PM »
Thank, Scoutman.  I tried to flush the bolt with penetrating oil but that may not have been a strong enough solvent.  I didn't think to use an air hose, either.  Think I'll try that before I strip the bolt.

Actually, the video I got from Brownells does a great job of describing a full strip job on 336 actions.  Doesn't look like breaking the bolt down is all that difficult.  It would just mean I'd have to find an appopriate sized pin punch.

Hope your idea precludes that.

Thanks again.
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Offline PeterCartwright

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Re: Help! Model 30AS Failure to Fire
« Reply #3 on: July 24, 2006, 11:01:41 AM »
I finally got around to tackling the 30AS problem child.  After stripping the bolt, I discovered that the firing pin and its channel were "glued" with some kind of very thick, sticky grease (old cosmoline?).  When I bought the gun, the entire action was caked in this stuff, but I can't imagine how the the inside of the bolt could have gotten so "gunked" unless the previous owner literally stripped the thing down to apply the grease.  I'm sure it was wonderfully preserved, but gees!!!

Anyway, I cleaned up both front and rear firing pins, squirted a bit of solvent down the channel, "pistoned" the front pin a bit and finished off with a squirt of Breakfree.  Just got back from the range.  Goes BOOM every time.  Problem solved!

Now I just have to order a taller front sight to match the Williams 5D I installed.

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Offline ScoutMan

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Re: Help! Model 30AS Failure to Fire
« Reply #4 on: July 26, 2006, 08:10:41 AM »
Just make sure it's a post and not a bead. The "sougherdough" type are excellent just as the post is from XS sights.

Just make sure the post is wide enough. If you're starting to get "old geezer" eyes like me, you will like a post with of .100 or bigger. .125 is better.
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If you can get closer, get closer
If you can get steadier, get steadier.

A telescope helps you see; it does not help you hold and squeeze.-Jeff Cooper

Offline PeterCartwright

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Re: Help! Model 30AS Failure to Fire
« Reply #5 on: July 26, 2006, 06:17:33 PM »
Yupper, Scoutman, I definitely have "geezer eyes".
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Offline bullitt375

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Re: Help! Model 30AS Failure to Fire
« Reply #6 on: August 18, 2006, 09:06:39 AM »
THE MARLIN WITH THE SPLIT FIRING PIN IS A LITTLE DIFFRENT------ IF THE LEVER IS NOT ALL OF THE WAY UP INTO ITS UPPER MOST POSITION  IT DOES NOT PUSH THE 2 PIECE FIRING PN INTO ALIGNMENT TO FIRE
I 2 FOUND A LOT OF GUM IN THIS AREA -------TOOK THE BOLT COMPLETELY APART AND CLEANED EVERYTHING  OILED AND REINSTALLED  ------ IT WOULD ONLY FIRE ABOUT EVERY 3 TRY.  ---------BEING DESPERATE  I STOOD THE GUN ON ITS BBL END ( PADDED)  IN A VERTICLE GUN RACK AND GAVE THE FIRING PIN CHANNEL A MOST LIBERAL DOSE OF BREAK FREE CLP ALSO AND THAT CURED MOST OF MY PROBLEM    -------  HAVE ONLY HAD 1 FAILURE TO FIRE SINCE THEN-------- IT PROBALLY COULD USE A NEW HAMMER SPRING  -----  I BOUGHT THE GUN USED ----- I AM SURE THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THIS PROBLEM ALSO  ---- JUST WILL HAVE TO GIVE IT A SQUIRT OF BREAK FREE BEFORE GOING SHOOTING    VIC
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IN GOD AND GUNS WE TRUST

Offline old geezer

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Re: Help! Model 30AS Failure to Fire
« Reply #7 on: August 20, 2006, 02:15:11 AM »
Scoutman,

About your comment about "old geezer eyes", I resemble that remark. ;D
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Offline PeterCartwright

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Re: Help! Model 30AS Failure to Fire
« Reply #8 on: August 20, 2006, 04:38:20 PM »
Hey ScoutMan!  I ordered a .600 tall XS front sight from Brownells a few weeks ago.  Looks great and works great with the Williams 5D receiver sight!  (Read:  I can see the darned thing).  I really love that white line!  Guess all of us "geezers" better stick together.  Great advice.  Thanks!

Besides, the sight combination on the hardy 30AS makes me a nice poor man's tactical rifle (grin).
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