Marlin 1895 Lever will not close ?!?!

Mr Marksman · 01-20-2008, 03:24 PM

While shooting my handloads the other day, the lever does not close, ok, I take that back, it does close, but pops right back open again. I am shooting
430 grain lead slugs, with 50 grains of H322. the bullet goes about 1,935 FPS.
I got this load info from a reloading magazine.
So could somebody help?

SwedeSteve · 01-20-2008, 03:28 PM

What is the Over All Length of your reloaded cartridge?

okole · 01-20-2008, 05:34 PM

Does it close OK with no cartridge in the chamber? If so you may be trying to push the bullet ogive into the rifling. Very dangerous as this can raise pressures significantly.

Mr Marksman · 01-20-2008, 07:04 PM

Okole,
the lever does not, close even when it is unloaded, somthing is wrong mechanicly, I took it apart and could not find any thing broken. ???

but I will check the overall leanth

SwedeSteve · 01-20-2008, 08:08 PM

If it won't close empty then either you have an obstruction or something has become disconnected in the action. Also look a the boltface!

big boomer · 01-20-2008, 09:45 PM

Be safe take it to a gunsmith and have it checked out. What little it costs is cheap insurance.

SwedeSteve · 01-20-2008, 10:22 PM

If you cannot find something obvious, then I would also take it to a licensed gunsmith before attempting to shoot it again.

sbtennex · 01-23-2008, 09:19 PM

Gonna guess this is a .45-70. For the reason you are experiencing, it's almost gospel to never shoot anything over a 405gr in a lever gun. A 435(?) at almost 1950 fps is trodding on the redline a bit too much for a Marlin and probably cranks out close to 70 ft/lbs of recoil - definitely will wake you up!!! Also agree that OAL has been exceeded for your use.

TXplt · 01-24-2008, 03:27 PM

Another vote for qualified gunsmith, assmuing you've cleaned the gun thoroughly, etc. I wouldn't fool around with locking on lever action.

01-20-2008, 03:24 PM	#1
Mr Marksman Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 66	Marlin 1895 Lever will not close ?!?! While shooting my handloads the other day, the lever does not close, ok, I take that back, it does close, but pops right back open again. I am shooting 430 grain lead slugs, with 50 grains of H322. the bullet goes about 1,935 FPS. I got this load info from a reloading magazine. So could somebody help?

01-20-2008, 03:28 PM	#2
SwedeSteve Thor's Hammer Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Alaska Posts: 10,370 Images: 1	What is the Over All Length of your reloaded cartridge? __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

01-20-2008, 08:08 PM	#5
SwedeSteve Thor's Hammer Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Alaska Posts: 10,370 Images: 1	If it won't close empty then either you have an obstruction or something has become disconnected in the action. Also look a the boltface! __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

01-20-2008, 10:22 PM	#7
SwedeSteve Thor's Hammer Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Alaska Posts: 10,370 Images: 1	If you cannot find something obvious, then I would also take it to a licensed gunsmith before attempting to shoot it again. __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

01-20-2008, 05:34 PM	#3
okole Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: NW Montana Posts: 61	Does it close OK with no cartridge in the chamber? If so you may be trying to push the bullet ogive into the rifling. Very dangerous as this can raise pressures significantly.

01-20-2008, 07:04 PM	#4
Mr Marksman Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 66	Okole, the lever does not, close even when it is unloaded, somthing is wrong mechanicly, I took it apart and could not find any thing broken. ??? but I will check the overall leanth

01-20-2008, 09:45 PM	#6
big boomer Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Minn. Posts: 979	Be safe take it to a gunsmith and have it checked out. What little it costs is cheap insurance.

01-23-2008, 09:19 PM	#8
sbtennex Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: WestCentral Alberta Posts: 9	Gonna guess this is a .45-70. For the reason you are experiencing, it's almost gospel to never shoot anything over a 405gr in a lever gun. A 435(?) at almost 1950 fps is trodding on the redline a bit too much for a Marlin and probably cranks out close to 70 ft/lbs of recoil - definitely will wake you up!!! Also agree that OAL has been exceeded for your use.

01-24-2008, 03:27 PM	#9
TXplt Lost in the Ozone Again Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 2,828 Images: 4 Blog Entries: 2	Another vote for qualified gunsmith, assmuing you've cleaned the gun thoroughly, etc. I wouldn't fool around with locking on lever action.