Hep me!,, Hep me! Calling all Marlin doctors !

[TrenchMud]

I have a question for any of you Marlin Lever Gun GURU's.. My brother has an 1895 marlin in 45-70.
Has been functioning perfectly until about a month ago. Now the lever will not go fully forward thus The bolt stops
about a half or three quarters if an inch from being fully rearward. I have fully disassembled the action and there are no broken parts ? The carrier rocker and part of the lever are polished like a mirror from wear though. What part would be the most likely
culprit? I know Winchesters inside and out but the marlin is a totally different animal ! This is my brothers most prized firearm and I would like to get it going for him again as soon as possible.

[victorcharlie]

I know this sounds overly simple, but check to see if the loading gate screw is tight.........Or, remove the screw, and the loading gate and see if it cycles........

[Swany]

I know this sounds overly simple, but check to see if the loading gate screw is tight.........Or, remove the screw, and the loading gate and see if it cycles........

Amen Brother. Also clean the mag tube and spring while you have it apart that it the second thing that causes feeding problems with any tube fed levergun also the closest source for dirt and rust to get into the feeding mechanism which includes the magazine.

[TrenchMud]

As I was hunting the last couple of weeks of the season here in Georgia, I did not have a chance to reply. VictorCharlie was correct. It was the loading gate. Rifle shaves brass from the case severly
on loading. Brass shavings were not allowing the gate to close fully. A little file work and touch up bluing rounded some edges and made them pretty again while solving the problem. Thanks fellas'