[Tom-AZ]

I'd like to make members aware of a defect with my new Marlin 1894C rifle. Any feedback on this issue would be appreciated. I've notified Marlin and they have accepted the gun for repair and are paying shipping both ways to NY. I love the gun and am not implying the problem is widespread. Probably a one time flaw. If you purchased an 1894C in .357 around the same time as mine, it might be a good idea to test your rifle. I'll post a follow-up on this site after getting the verdict from Marlin.

In 2010 I purchased a new Marlin 1894C rifle chambered for .357 from a dealer. Serial #910604XX
The rifle appears to have a defect with the half cock safety.

I was at the range explaining the half cock safety feature. To demonstrate, I chambered a round and moved the hammer to half cock and pulled the trigger. The rifle fired. Needless to say, we were all quite surprised.

In a follow-up test two weeks later with a chambered round, I was able to repeat the event. Moving from full cock to half cock, it fired. In the presence of a fellow shooter, I demonstrated this three times in a row. Later the same day, I was only able to repeat the firing once out of twenty attempts. So, the problem seems to be intermittent.

I can also duplicate this by dry firing. I work the lever to cock the action and then move the hammer to half cock and pull the trigger. Repeat until it “fires”. On my rifle the safety fails in about 10% of tries.

My rifle has no modifications and has never been to a gunsmith for service. I only use factory ammunition. The gun is kept clean and not abused. I’ve fired perhaps 300 rounds through it.

 

[hickstick_10]

could be crud in the notch

 

[lever addict]

Interesting! Did you ever do a complete teardown and cleaning?

 

[Leverdude]

could be crud in the notch

That'd be my guess if its intermittent. Are you removing your finger from the trigger as soon as the hammer begins to move forward? Its possible that if you are not, you are sometimes not letting the sear go into the half cock notch but instead get hung up on the tip of it allowing the hammer to fall when you squeeze the trigger. I am surprised that it would fire the gun from such a low position though.

 

[Tom-AZ]

I haven't done a full cleaning on the trigger assembly. And, yes, I am placing the trigger into half cock safety properly. It catches. More importantly, Marlin told me on the phone that the rifle shouldn't be able to fire if the hammer went forward from half cock. There wouldn't be enough force on the cartridge primer. So, even if there was crud in the gun, why is it firing from that hammer position. That seemed to be their point of focus.

 

[Leverdude]

I haven't done a full cleaning on the trigger assembly. And, yes, I am placing the trigger into half cock safety properly. It catches. More importantly, Marlin told me on the phone that the rifle shouldn't be able to fire if the hammer went forward from half cock. There wouldn't be enough force on the cartridge primer. So, even if there was crud in the gun, why is it firing from that hammer position. That seemed to be their point of focus.

I'd agree it shouldn't fire from that low. None I ever tried would.

 

[SilverBow]

I haven't done a full cleaning on the trigger assembly. And, yes, I am placing the trigger into half cock safety properly. It catches. More importantly, Marlin told me on the phone that the rifle shouldn't be able to fire if the hammer went forward from half cock. There wouldn't be enough force on the cartridge primer. So, even if there was crud in the gun, why is it firing from that hammer position. That seemed to be their point of focus.

I'm interested that you brought this up because while walking to work today my mind starting drifting to firearms and specifically how they should be safely carried while hunting. This led me to think about the halfcock notch and what would happen if it were to break. I convinced myself that the proper design should allow for this to happen without igniting the primer (i.e., the notch and mainspring should be such that the acceleration of the hammer is limited). I was going to do some reading about that when I saw your post.

Back to your original question... Try removing the buttstock and see if you can recreate the scenario. Sometimes there is binding on the mainspring or the mainspring strut by by the wood, which can affect the rifle's function. If the mainspring is not exerting enough force against the hammer, on some rifles pulling the trigger when in halfcock can actually make the sear lift/rotate the hammer back and release it out of halfcock. I've specifically seen this happen with one of my Marlin Model 36's --- this rifle has 3 grooves in the tang to locate the bracket holding the mainspring strut. In the rearmost slot, there was insufficient preload on the mainspring such that a firm pull on the trigger would drop the hammer out of halfcock. Moving to the foremost slot, halfcock locked up completely and I was more afraid of breaking the trigger than releasing the hammer (as should be the case).

 

[eaglesnest]

Now that I think of it I could have sworn my 45/70 did that 2 or 3 times when it was new. Never was loaded when it did and I could never recreate it on demand, that was why I was never certain it wasn't just me. I never owned a Marlin lever action that did not have the CBS so I always will use that anyway, when I carry a round in the chamber which is not very often. I guess I never fully trusted the half cock for whatever reason...

 

[Tom-AZ]

I'm eager to see what Marlin has to say about my gun's problem.

On a related topic, I fully understand why people love this rifle. I was in the military and have fired the M1, M14, M16. I've fired a Winchester .30-.30 and others. I have a couple handguns. Nothing compares to the enjoyment I get from shooting my 1894. Maybe it's the size and balance or perhaps it's working the lever or that perfect blend of power and all of the above. What a great gun. I took my buddy to the range to show him the problem with the half cock firing. The next day he was out looking to buy a lever action rifle. I hope Marlin has a fast repair department.

 

[kingstrider]

Hello & welcome to Marlin Owners! I had an old Colt revolver that would do something similar to that. Anyway I think you should be commended in your faith in the gun and I'm sure Marlin will take care of you in getting it all worked out. Please keep us updated and remember to post some pics once you get it all worked out!

 

[bearridge]

I took my buddy to the range to show him the problem with the half cock firing. The next day he was out looking to buy a lever action rifle.

Friend Tom,

No hope fer him now. Next thing he will have a dozen. [chuckle]

regards
bearridge


What is a moderate interpretation of the constitution, half way between what is says, and what you want it to say? Justice Antonin Scalia