336 Action Hanging

[Sixpack]

I got a new to me Marlin 336 CS from 92 or 94 about 3 months ago.  I have carried it a little and have not taken it all the way down for a good cleaning.  My problem is that, when I get in my stand and go to load the chamber slowly and quitelt, the action hangs in the fully open position.  Most of the time it takes a bump on the outside of the lever to close.  It has not down it when I work the action briskly or during shooting.  It only does this when I work the action slowly.  Any ideas?  Anyone else have this problem?

[Dee]

YEP! The shell carrier is not being raised up all the way to elevate the shell to the proper height for chambering, and when you try to close the bolt it's hitting the carrier. Work the action the way it was designed. Briskly. The deer will get over the slight noise.

[Siskiyou]

I have had my Model 336 for a lot of years and have never had the lever hang as you describe.

The first thing I would do is break the rifle down as described on page 7 of the manual and give the rifle a very good cleaning in the action area, and the bore.  I always break my Marlin down to clean it, and have never cleaned it from the muzzle.  I would then lube it with break free.  I like Break Free CLP because it has worked great on autoloaders and has kept them function when firing a lot of rounds.  I also like break free because its freezing point is around -60 or below.  Back in my kid days I had the oil I lube my rifle with freeze at about 10-degrees.

http://www.break-free.com/?location=/products/index.asp


I have chamber my rifle on the quite without the issue you describe.  

If you have the manual it will give instructions on how to remove the level, bolt, and extractor.  Careful not to lose parts.  I use long tweezers’ to remove the extractor.
http://www.marlinfirearms.com/pdfs/manuals/MFC_Centerfire.pdf

The rifle goes back together easily and does not require force.

There are videos on YouTube showing how to pull the lever and bolt.  Suggest using a proper size screw driver to remove the lever screw.

[Dee]

Sixpack, when Siskiyou says "level" I sure he means LEVER.

[Siskiyou]

Once again Dee is right, and I should wait until I have had a nights sleep before posting. 

I did mean LEVER, and that is the level!

[Sixpack]

Thanks Dee and Siskiyou for the replies!!

I striped her sown and gave it a thourogh cleaning.  I did not see any thing wrong or worn.  When I put it back together, it still does it.

I am going to try and explain it a little better... When the lever gets to the end of its arc, the carrier raises like it is supposed to.  It does not totally lock up just has to be bumped on the outside of the lever to close.  If you hold the rifle chamber side up, pull the lever to the end of the cycle, and hold upward pressure on the lever, BAM!  It is smooth as silk.  As long as I hold upward pressure on the lever it is no problem what so ever.  As I said before, shooting the rifle offhand and working the lever normal or briskly results in perfect function.  It only does it when I am trying to chamber a round as quietly as possible.  I am guessing there is something worn on the inside that is causing this problem.  It isn't a problem now but I sure would hate to get in my stand and it lock totally up or miss a fast follow up shot because my lever is locked up.

BTW, I bought my son a new 336 with the walnut stock in September (same model as mine only 14 years newer).  It does not do this no matter how slowly or deliberately I try to make it.


Maybe a call to Marlin is in order?

[Siskiyou]

Sounds like you hit the nail on the head and the call is in order.  Good luck.