Author Topic: Marlin failure (Read 1710 times)

markc · « **on:** August 26, 2003, 12:09:02 PM »

At the bench this afternoon, model 1894 CB Limited .44mag. Two rounds of factory Win 240gr SP. Cycle the lever for round #3. Squeeze the trigger, squezze, squezze some more, harder this time. No dice. The hammer will not drop. Put the safety on look at the rifle. The stock is cracked near the top tang area (hope I got the part name right). It would cycle just fine, but the lever will not quite close completely and the hammer will not drop at all.

Unloaded the rifle, headed to the gun smith. He removed the stock to find it has broken. There are two tabs, for lack of a better name, which are on either side of the wood stock and they fit into the receiver. From what he could tell by the marks and wear on them, and other spots on the stock is that they were not even from the factory. The recoil was being absorbed unevenly and finally broke the tab on one side off and cracked the stock. One of the broken pieces kept the action from working properly which is why the hammer would not fall.

This was with factory Win ammo, although I have fired handloaded 300 gr ammo, not loaded to max.

I love this rifle and it will be my main woods rifle for this coming deer season, but I am disappointed with the quality of the walnut stock from Marlin. I might try shipping it back to them, but will likely look for a synthetic stock for this rifle. Hate to put black plastic on a beautiful firearm like this but looking at the stock design, its a wonder more don't fail like this one did. Wonder if my .444P has the same stock design?

markc

John Traveler · « **Reply #1 on:** August 26, 2003, 12:22:30 PM »

MarkC,

It's a shame that your Marlin stock gave out, but these things DO happen. Better that it happen at the range or while plinkin than when in the field with no tools or backup gun!

As fine a product as Marlin lever actions are (I've owned several of them, and still have a couple), faulty stock fits are not monopolized by Marlin.

A properly fit, crack-free stock, should last indefinitely, even if hot, heavy bullets are fired! I've clocked more than 2,000 rounds from my M1895 .45-70 using factory-duplication loads and HOTTER, with no stock failures.

I've know dozens of Cowboy shooters that fire off hundreds of pounds of lead per year, and stock failure is RARE!.

Why not just re-fit your rifle with a new stock and inspect regularly? It's not likely to happen again.

HTH
John

markc · « **Reply #2 on:** August 27, 2003, 04:24:49 AM »

where I can find replacement stocks? I guess Marlin does sell stocks? I looked at Cabelas and they only listed stocks for the model 336, and several for Winchester. Their price was around $59.00, but didn't list the 1894. Got any suggesstions on where to go to find one? Thanks.
markc

Mikey · « **Reply #3 on:** August 27, 2003, 04:45:27 AM »

markc: Nice to hear from you again but sorry to hear about that stock. I would go right back to Marlin with the problem and ask for a new stock. I think what happened to your 1894 was a fluke. I do not think your 444P and the 1894 share the same stock mounting designs and if your 444P has not failed you yet I doubt it will.

However, you should be able to dismount the rear stock of your 444P and check for uneven wear near any of the mounting tabs. If you do not see anything that looks goughed (?), roughed up, splintered, unusual or different in any way around any of the tabs it should be fine.

Sometimes, even with lever actions, you need some refining to set stocks properly. This might include squaring the stock facing where it meets the action, relieving some of the mounting tab areas and bedding those relief cuts. If you are going to replace the stock you may also wish to look at the forestock and complete the same refinements on that part as well.

I think your 1894 would look super with a synthetic 'look' to it and this can be done with refinishing. Many synthetic stocks, as I understand, are aftermarket products purchased by the rifle manufacturer and then installed. You may find similar, or even worse problems with those. One of my Winchester Big Bores has the worst fitting synthetic stock I have ever seen - it is really embarrassing and a mark of pretty shameful quality - I intend to relace it with a wood stock and have my gunsmith refinish that stock with a 'synthetic' look that I think will enhance the overall effect.

I hope this helps buddy. Please let us know how it goes fer ya. This be Mikey.

Big Hext Finnigan · « **Reply #4 on:** August 27, 2003, 04:51:21 AM »

Howdy,

Marlin has excellent customer service. Perhaps you can get them to ship you a stock. Installing it yourself should be a piece of cake.

If you want to dress up the gun, Precision makes a georgeous walnut stock with the original crescent butt stock.

Take care of the gun and it will take care of you! I've got one with thousands of rounds through it.

Adios,
Hext

markc · « **Reply #5 on:** August 27, 2003, 05:43:48 AM »

great responses guys. I called Marlin Customer service this morning and the nice lady told me to ship the stock to them with the ser# and description of the problem. I think I will include the business card from the gun smith I used and maybe that will help. She didn't say what Marlin would do, and I expect that they will determine if it was a factory defect or not once they take a look at it. Sure hope they do.

I hunt hard, but the rifle is not abused and the stock only has a few light scratches from brush and such. I hope it was just a fluke that will never repeat itself. So far the .444P has worked great and the 1894 was doing great until yesterday afternoon. Will let ya'll know what happens with Marlin when they rec the stock.
markc

Mikey · « **Reply #6 on:** August 27, 2003, 09:43:49 AM »

Big Hext: When you say 'Precision' - is this a stock maker? I've been looking for someway to dress up at least one of my Winchester stocks and wonder if they do the same for Winnies that they do for Marlins. Thanks. Mikey.

John Traveler · « **Reply #7 on:** August 27, 2003, 10:46:45 AM »

yes,

I believe Precision Stocks is the name. I found it on the Internet searching for "gunstocks".

I've seen their website. It's a small family operation in Texas specializing in custom stocks for Winchesters.

John

Big Hext Finnigan · « **Reply #8 on:** August 27, 2003, 10:48:15 AM »

http://www.precisiongunstocks.com/

Sorry, just got the url in and had a computer wiggle, thought I'd get it out there.

Now PG is a good outfit in Kerrville. The stocks are not cheap and should be used if you plan to keep your rifle for a long time. I doubt you will get your money back if you go to sell the gun.

That said, these stocks and a cross-bolt plug and your gun can look 100 years old.

Adios,
Hext

myronman3 · « **Reply #9 on:** August 27, 2003, 04:55:30 PM »

i am with big hext on this. send that sucka to marlin with a letter telling them how much you LOVE the gun and how this unfortunate event has broken your little heart. i will bet you they square you away so fast you will be grinning ear to ear. i wouldnt spend squat until i gave marlin a chance to make it right with you. keep us posted, eh?

markc · « **Reply #10 on:** August 28, 2003, 02:45:18 AM »

I boxed up the stock and in a little ziplock style baggie, included the pieces of wood that had splintered off the stock freezing up the action. I also included the business card from the gun smith, just in case that might add a little weight to the chance that they ship me a new stock.

Now all i need to do is get by UPS and get it traveling its way to Marlin. Their web site says 5 year warranty against manufacturers defects. Hope they consider this to be under warranty.
markc

Big Hext Finnigan · « **Reply #11 on:** August 28, 2003, 03:16:10 AM »

Mark, Relax buddy..

If you didn't use the rifle as a prybar, they're going to take care of you. Marlin has an excellent reputation for customer service. I've got two and will add another when my wallet and the price agree.

Adios!
Hext

geronimo.tn · « **Reply #12 on:** August 28, 2003, 08:32:18 PM »

You know, I have a 1894 Cowboy in .45 Colt and this is a beautiful rifle.
Has dark walnut stock and forearm that is quarter sawn with some nice figure, BUT, the wood to metal fit where the stock slides into the receiver is bad. There is a gap which the factory filled with some black material, over time this material has fallen out leaving an unsightly gap. It's one of those things I keep telling myself to glassbed, but I just haven't gotten around to it. Maybe this will inspire me to action before my stock splits (then again, maybe not).
Other than this unsightly gap, this is one nice rifle.

markc · « **Reply #13 on:** August 29, 2003, 03:03:16 AM »

the stock will shipped UPS. Worked too late yesterday to get it done, but will today. I hope Hext is right. I also hope Marlin is quick about it since opening of whitetail season is coming up and this rifle will be my main deep woods gun this season.
markc

markc · « **Reply #14 on:** September 18, 2003, 03:40:17 AM »

finally marlin folks said well yes the stock is here. I knew they have signed for it from UPS on the 9th. So I politely told the nice lady that I already knew it was there, and that I was again checking on the status. had they looked at it, and did she know what they had determined? She said, "Well they will probably send you a replacement stock and it would go out next week". I asked if I needed to call back next week to confirm that and she said "Yeah, you can call back next week".

So I hope that they do send me a replacement stock next week.
markc

Big Hext Finnigan · « **Reply #15 on:** September 18, 2003, 05:05:07 AM »

Mark,

I'm disappointed in the service you have received thus far. While I have never had to avail myself of Marlin's CS, the popular sentiment would indicate a much higher level of attention and response.

I'm hopeful you are satisfied in short order.
Adios,
Hext

markc · « **Reply #16 on:** September 18, 2003, 06:42:53 AM »

I am a bit disappointed so far. The first time I called no one could even tell me if they had received the stock, although now that I ahve checked with UPS, I see that they did have it the 1st time I called. Now they tell me they have it, which I already knew, but can tell me nothing else. Don't want to rush to judgment, but so far, I am not real pleased.
markc

Graybeard · « **Reply #17 on:** September 18, 2003, 06:01:07 PM »

While I like Marlin rifles and own quite a few of them I have had nothing but dissatisfaction in all dealings I've had with them by phone. So far I've avoiding sending anything back. I sure just don't get the idea they have time to bother with anyone who isn't a staff writer for a national magazine. Them they host on expensive hunts and show a good time so they will convince folks to buy more Marlin rifles. But anyone else to include those who actually spend money on their guns they dont' seem to care for.

GB

markc · « **Reply #18 on:** September 19, 2003, 03:53:22 AM »

thats the kind of thing that will cause me to shop elsewhere really quick. I do love the Marlin firearms, but if this one situation ends in any other way than them sending me a brand new rifle stock, I will likely not buy any more of their products for a long time. I may look for some real quality stocks for both of my Marlin rifles somewhere else. Wonder if there is a synthetic stock that looks like real wood???
markc

Mikey · « **Reply #19 on:** September 19, 2003, 04:20:35 AM »

markc: you can probably find a fairly expensive synthetic that would satisfy you but my gunsmith refinishes wood stocks in such a way that they appear to be synthetic. I think he paints the darn things but you couldn't prove it by me. He is working on the bolt of a Swedish Mauser for me and when I see him next I will twist his ear for the specifics of the way he refinishes those stocks. I offer this suggestion if you ever feel the need to purchase an aftermarket stock for your Marlin and think about the lesser expensive cuts that you could 'synthetic up' quite nicely if you want.

Now, for my next suggestion for another Triple 4 Shooter - get a Winchester Big Bore. I've got three: my long barrelled rifle, a Timber Carbine and, a Black Shadow that I busted before it even got to the range - it went back to Winchester real quick - but when it comes back I'm looking for a Boyd's set of wood to replace the atrociously fitting synthetic stock. BTW, the two I have are some beauties - I wish I had the means to post some pictures so I could show them off - the onlky improvement I can think of is some very fancy wood. HTH & M2C. Mikey.

R. Tillery · « **Reply #20 on:** September 19, 2003, 07:58:03 AM »

For genuine Marlin stocks, try: www.gunpartscorp.com

EXCELLENT service and an AWESOME catalog!

markc · « **Reply #21 on:** September 24, 2003, 03:04:42 AM »

Here is an update. I posted the broken stock and poor service info on the Marlin Talk Cowboy Rifle forum. Within a day I received a PM from a Mr. Ed Chabot of Marlin. He asked for my rifle ser# and other info which I gave him. Yesterday I received a telephone call from a service Supervisor with Marlin asking about my complaint.

I explained it to him, and he said he would ship me a new stock as soon as he could get one boxed up. He did ask when hunting season began out here first, and then said, "I hope the stock fits". Funny I thought that if the steel of the receiver was machine made and the stock was likely cut by a machine, then it would all fit together well. Either way, I hope it gets here soon, so I can be ready for opening day.
markc

Winter Hawk · « **Reply #22 on:** September 25, 2003, 03:20:09 PM »

"That said, these stocks and a cross-bolt plug and your gun can look 100 years old."

Big Hext,

I take it that this means you are able to remove the cross-bolt safety and plug the hole(s?) so the rifle funtions with a half-cock safety. I keeep thinking of getting another Marlin one of these years, but dislike that excess garbage. Where would I get the requisite "plug"?

-Kees-

hicard · « **Reply #23 on:** September 28, 2003, 10:51:35 AM »

I wonder if Winchester would replace the stock on my Big Bore in 356. It broke with the first factory round I fired through it. I bought the rifle used but it looked like it had never been fired before. Had a big chip come off the stock on the right side where it meets the top part at the receiver. I know it is from a bad fitted stock from the factory but thought, no, it is too old and they would probably not honor any warranty.

markc · « **Reply #24 on:** September 30, 2003, 03:56:49 AM »

You'll never know until you try. Check the Winchester web site and see if they have an 800 number to call and talk to someone in customer service.
markc