Marlin 1894 Problem

[Bullseye]

Looking at a Marlin 1894 in 44 Mag for a friend that has a problem.  It all started because she put 30-06 rounds in the magazine and did not know it until she tried to chamber one (I can't believe they fit).  She took it to someone who cleared the rounds out of the gun.
 
Problem with the gun now is that when it is cocked and you pull the trigger the hammer has a catch in before it falls.  You notice it when you hold your thumb on the hammer and pull the trigger to uncock it.  The hammer can be held back without any real pressure from your thumb.  If you l leave a gap between your thumb and hammer and pull the trigger you can feel the hesitation and catch before the hammer starts to fall.  If you hold the trigger and cock the hammer you can feel the catch right before the hammer is back all the way.  You feel the catch and then the hammer moves maybe a 1/16 farther freely before it is fully cocked.  The gun never fails to fire.
 
The other problem is that sometimes the lever has a catch in it at the very start of the cycle when cycling the gun.
 
She tells me that both of these problems started after the mishap with the wrong ammo.
 
I have the disassembly manual for this gun and have taken mine apart and put new triggers in them so I know how to take it apart.  Can someone point me in the right direction on what to look for once I get it apart.  Hopefully if will be obvious but maybe not.

[STUMPJMPR]

Sounds like something may have gotten bent when they tried to chamber a round.

[bilmac]

I would guess that whoever took it apart to get the 06[really] bullets out bent or did something else to the guide that the hammer spring rides on.

[Bullseye]

I would guess that whoever took it apart to get the 06[really] bullets out bent or did something else to the guide that the hammer spring rides on.

Yes, really 06, or at least that is what I am told.  I did not actually see it.
 
I am assuming something is bent also.  Hopefully it will be obvious when I get around to taking it apart.
 
I hate working on stuff when I am involved after the damage is done, but she is a good friend of my wifes so I will give it a try.

[keith44]

spring guide, or possibly something burnished into the "side plate" dragging on the hammer pivot area  (yeah I know it's not really a side plate since it is not removable)

[Bullseye]

Finally got around to working on it tonight.

Problem was obvious as soon as I took the stock off it. Not sure if someone has cut the hammer spring a little shorter or if it is just made not quite right. One end goes to a little smaller diameter than the other. The bigger end was against the shoulder on the strut and it pushed up over the shoulder a little. This caused the hammer to hit the spring when the hammer was brought all the way back. Turned the spring around and all is good.

I did take mine apart and looked at the spring, it goes to the smaller diameter on both ends but is pretty much the same length

[keith44]

Good find! The first one just didn't put it back together correctly

[BBF]

I woluld have qualms returning the rifle without having a heart to heart talk to the woman that got it jammed up.

[Bullseye]

I have known her for awhile and even hunted with her.  She is safe and smart.  I did find out that it was a 30-30 she put in it, not a 30-06.  Had two Marlins sitting next to each other and picked the wrong one up, mistakes do happen, hopefully they do not cause injury.  I can think of at least one mistake I made over 30 years and luckily nothing bad happened but I do double check the box of ammo sitting on the shooting bench after changing a Contender barrel very carefully now.