Lever kicking open

[Tatersoup]

I love my 1894 but it has an annoying characteristic.

Often times, but not always, the lever will kick open when I shoot.

It's pretty obvious to me it has something to do with the finger lever plunger. I looked at my Owner's Manual, and it says that the plunger might need filing or sanding to fit properly.

I intend to start slow and first try to clean out the plunger channel and maybe stretch the spring a bit.

But here's my problems:

• I don't really know what the plunger is supposed to look like in its finished condition.
• If I replace the plunger, can I just put it in as purchased or am I going to have to sand/file on it?

So, I need help. Any comments will be greatly appreciated. A PICTURE of a properly shaped plunger would also be a great thing.

Thanks in advance!

[JBledsoe]

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You didn't give us much to go on. What caliber? How old is the rifle? Are you shooting heavy loads? Does the ammo matter?

It sounds like your plunger or detent or both are worn. Replace the plunger first.......no filing or sanding should be needed. If you wish to sharpen the old one (plunger) then filing and sanding is in order.

[SteedGun]

Tater,

I have a 35 Rem that was doing that so I decided to start by buying a new plunger. Bought it from MidwayUSA and it came all polised and nice. Mine was a simple replacement and good. Since they are not much money I would try that first. It worked for me.

[Tom in Arizona]

My first suspect is that you got something in that finger lever plunger channel that is periodically binding or restricting (oil, grease, dirt or ?) the plunger movement. Cleaning it out will probably fix the problem. The spring could also be worn out and need to be replaced.

As mentioned above replacing the plunger would also work as it comes without any fitting. The fitting by rounding off the plunger edge that makes contact will reduce the amount of force it takes to initially open the lever, the opposite of what you are trying to do.

Always a good idea to have a spare plunger and spring on hand if you have to take out the one you have, those small parts are easily lost.

[Tatersoup]

It's a 44 Magnum. I shoot WWB 240 grain JSP in it almost exclusively. It's not that old of a rifle, built in '08 or '09.

It happens about every other trip to the range. If I get a spot where I can't get the seat adjusted comfortably and can't get a good solid placement of the stock on my shoulder, the lever will pop open every time. If I get a good shoulder weld, it might happen 1 out of 10 times.

Oh, man. I hope it's not the detent. That would be a pain in the patootie for me to fix....

[Gohon]

Couple days ago I was shooting my 45 Colt with heavy loads. What I did was place a sandbag on the hood of my truck and was leaning across the hood and up against the fender. On each shot the lever would kick open about a 1/8 to 1/4 inch. However, when I stood straight up and shot off hand this did not happen. What was happening is the way I was positioned against the truck, right hand on trigger and lever, and left hand at base of stock by my right shoulder it would cause my hand to inadvertently push down on the lever during upward recoil of the rifle. For lack of a better way to explain it, the upward movement of the rifle during recoil outran the upward movement of my hand. When standing, my hand followed the natural direction of recoil and no opened lever. Point is there may very well be nothing wrong with your gun at all.

[Tom in Arizona]

Gohon may have the answer. It just may be that you are causing a little downward movement on the lever with your shooting style or position. I have mine set pretty light and I can easily have that happen upon recoil and not be aware that I am doing it.

[Tatersoup]

Gohon, that's about what I experience, except it happens a bit more than I'd like.

I doubt if it is much of anything. I intend to clean out the channel the plunger sits in and see if that will work. Next step will be to stretch the spring a bit and if that doesn't work, buy a new one.

[Dirtwater Doc]

Does it open when you are firmly squeezing the lever as you pull the trigger? If not don't worry about it.

A similar thread but for 45-70: lever still popping open

DD

[Tatersoup]

I can't imagine this being something I'd need to send back to Marlin.

I'm on my first step of determining the problem. I just got back from the bench where I put some solvent into the lever plunger channel and let it set then worked it some. First flushes showed a LOT of rust residue which was quite a surprise to me.