Marlin Firearms Forum banner
Cancel

Just purchases a brand new Ruger-Marlin Guide Gun and the lever is stuck…

1600 Views 38 Replies 24 Participants Last post by  mam444, 
H
Hello everyone, I just purchased a new Ruger Marlin Guide Gun from Academy today. I went to put in a Hornady Lever-Evolution bullet and went to cycle the gun and now it’s jammed up and the lever won’t move. I’m pretty upset about the situation as I’ve waited months to get my hands on one of these.

can anyone help?
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
  • Wow
Reactions: 5
21 - 39 of 39 Posts
Waffletop
When Hornady Lever-Evolution ammo first came out some people were having jamming issues. Marlin redesigned the tube magazine follower to have a dimple in the middle to keep the pointed tip oriented properly.
Image result for marlin 336 follower

I highly doubt this is the issue with a new Ruger/Marlin but worth checking out.

Have you tried any other ammo besides Hornady?
See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 2
T
It happens to new guns. That's why they have warranties. I've sent back Savages, Rugers, Remingtons, and CZ's. It happens.

Send it back to Ruger and they will sort it out.
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 3
TnHunter356
Hunter4570 said:
Think I’m gonna contact Ruger and have them fix it up. Just real disappointing!
Click to expand...
Just a thought here before you pack it up to return to Ruger. I don't know how familiar with Marlin lever guns you were previously, so I just want to mention one more thing that I didn't see mentioned yet. Whenever you load the magazine on the 1895 the lever needs to be fully up and closed. Loading the tube while the lever is down and action is open will cause a jam every single time as you try to chamber a round.

Good luck 👍
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
  • Helpful
Reactions: 5
flatnose
Hunter4570 said:
The casing can’t always clear the feeding ramp and the crap just keeps happening. For a gun that is this expensive… there shouldn’t be any issues!!!
Click to expand...
Check to make sure the the lever is all the way closed. Sometimes that last little bit isn't accomplished. The carrier can't drop all the way down if it isn't. It also shouldn't fire if you had a round in the chamber if it isn't all the way up.

Hopefully you won't have to send it back. If you could add a couple more pictures of the problem, it might help the pros here figure it out for you. Anything is possible, but I doubt Ruger would let a rifle that won't chamber leave the factory.
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 3
H
The issue occues when the bullet doesn’t seat into the tube properly. I have to mess with it in order to get it to seat properly or the lever will jam up.
See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 1
H
Waffletop said:
When Hornady Lever-Evolution ammo first came out some people were having jamming issues. Marlin redesigned the tube magazine follower to have a dimple in the middle to keep the pointed tip oriented properly.
Image result for marlin 336 follower

I highly doubt this is the issue with a new Ruger/Marlin but worth checking out.

Have you tried any other ammo besides Hornady?
Click to expand...
Yes I have tried Winchester Super X and they have the same problem
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 3
D
Please start at the start. What did you do when you took it home and took it out of the box? When you recycle the action with no shells in it does it work fine? does it work smooth?
Also when you cycle it with shells in it are you holding it in firing position and cycling it quickly?

edited - speech recognition and my West Texas accent don't always agree.
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 1
NickMc
The picture doesn’t help. Looks more like end user error.
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 4
H
DWF said:
Please start at the start. What did you do when you took it home and took it out of the box? When you recycle the action with no shells in it does it work fine? does it work smooth?
Also when you psycholate with shells in it are you holding it in firing position and cycling it quickly?
Click to expand...
It’s fine without any casings. It’s just that sometimes when I do put a casing in there, it doesn’t enter the mag tube properly (?). Then it locks open when I try to rack the lever. The bottom of the bullet in the picture is a little too far “up” and I have to wiggle it downwards towards the loading gate or it will jam when I rack the lever.
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 1
flatnose
You never said if you cleaned the rifle before use. You need to thoroughly. After that, cycle the empty rifle about two hundred times forcefully. I'm not kidding. It's new and it is bound to have some rough edges. After that, load it up. The last cartridge needs to be pushed in as far as your thumb can get it in. If you only use one round, it is still the last one. Now hold it upright and cycle it like you mean business. If it still jams, you need eyes on it to see what is going on. Hard to tell from here. Take it to a gunsmith or someone knowledgeable in firearms to check it out. If it persists with them, send it to Ruger.
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 1
art6555
I would just send it back myself. I just picked one of these up and it shoots great. I use 300 grain hollow points on top of 50 grains of RL7. It was flawless out of the box. Call them and see what they say.
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 5
Steve_In
Hunter4570 said:
Think I’m gonna contact Ruger and have them fix it up. Just real disappointing!
Click to expand...
I would in a heartbeat. No sense trying to fix something you are not familiar with.
For my LCP recall they sent me a prepaid box. From when I called in until I got it back about 2 weeks total.
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 3
Steve_In
Did you get this resolved?
I push the round in until the rim rests on the front of the loading gate when wearing gloves. I use the next round to finish. I was taught to load Dad's Win 92 that way because I kept getting my finger tip pinched. It might help.
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 1
PoopDeckPappy
Hunter4570 said:
Hello everyone, I just purchased a new Ruger Marlin Guide Gun from Academy today. I went to put in a Hornady Lever-Evolution bullet and went to cycle the gun and now it’s jammed up and the lever won’t move. I’m pretty upset about the situation as I’ve waited months to get my hands on one of these.

can anyone help?
Click to expand...
As recommended, first make it safe. Remove the lever screw and remove the round.
However, if it is difficult to remove the lever, you most likley have a load gate/flat spring screw that is loose. Tighten the single screw directly behind the load gate. If loose the spring gate assembly interferes with the action cycling. Even a small bit of debris under the spring is enough to cause interference with the action parts.

Good luck.
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 1
SgtDog0311
Very frustrating I’m sure.

You say “The bottom of the bullet in the picture is a little too far “up”and I have to wiggle it downwards”.

Assuming “up” is forward, toward the tube, and the rim not cocked up towards the bolt, it sounds like a problem Ruger should fix, and actually might want to see.

Your thumb can’t penetrate the loading gate much so that means the cartridge is being pushed just a smidge to far inside the tube yet not returned properly to position by the spring. If you have to do something to “move the rim towards the loading gate” that translates to a restriction somewhere where none should be. Don’t let it be anymore frustrating than trips to the PO.

Some of us might be pulling the floor-plate and certainly mag tube & spring, but unless you just want to make your new purchase a trial by fire in gunsmithing Levers, find out how good Customer Service is at Ruger.
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 1
B
Send it back to Ruger and give them a chance to show you what real customer service is. I once got a used Ruger Mini-30 that had had a hard life. I soon discovered a crack in the receiver by the right locking lug. I contacted Ruger explaining the problem and they wanted me to send to them to look at. They sent me a brand new Mini-30. That's only one example of several outstanding experiences I've had with Ruger's service and I've been using their firearms since 1960's.
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 3
3crows
The elevator is pinching the round and jamming the lever. The lever screw will feel tight because the lever is in a bind. Take some thick masking tape and cover both sides of the receiver and then with a small soft rubber mallet gently whack both sides of the receiver and rattle the lever with your hands. See if then you can remove the lever screw. Once the lever screw is out the jammed round can be removed. Then, look on the bottom of the receiver just behind the forestock. There is an action screw there. If that screw is even wishing to be loose the elevator (Marlin) jam can occur. I suggest removing that screw, clean it, use 242 and install it very snug. That does not mean to make smoke come out of it and strip the threads, tight.

Also lubricate the mag tube and probably stop using the Hornady ammo. The rifles just do not like the stuff and most of their owners do not either.
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 2
SgtDog0311
3crows said:
The elevator is pinching the round and jamming the lever. The lever screw will feel tight because the lever is in a bind. Take some thick masking tape and cover both sides of the receiver and then with a small soft rubber mallet gently whack both sides of the receiver and rattle the lever with your hands. See if then you can remove the lever screw. Once the lever screw is out the jammed round can be removed. Then, look on the bottom of the receiver just behind the forestock. There is an action screw there. If that screw is even wishing to be loose the elevator (Marlin) jam can occur. I suggest removing that screw, clean it, use 242 and install it very snug. That does not mean to make smoke come out of it and strip the threads, tight.

Also lubricate the mag tube and probably stop using the Hornady ammo. The rifles just do not like the stuff and most of their owners do not either.
Click to expand...
3crow, by “action screw” you must mean the one snugging up the floor-plate. That’s really interesting. On an 1894 in 32-20 (1906) I was getting one undernieth the elevator as was levered up. Something was not cutting off after one. I found that same screw loose when taking it all down to diagnose. All the internals looked good, but it appears the problem quit after reassembly and the only thing different would be that screw is now a little tighter. Need to test under fire but Good observation! Hope that cures it for good.
Reply
Save
Like
M
Hunter4570 said:
Hello everyone, I just purchased a new Ruger Marlin Guide Gun from Academy today. I went to put in a Hornady Lever-Evolution bullet and went to cycle the gun and now it’s jammed up and the lever won’t move. I’m pretty upset about the situation as I’ve waited months to get my hands on one of these.

can anyone help?
Click to expand...
When you get it unjammed, lubricate and work the action several times. It may be jamming because it is new and not broken in. I have a "JM" Marlin in 444 and if you cycle the action slowly it will sometimes jam the action. After fiddling with the lever a bit it will unjam and cycle. I have experienced this with my Marlin and figured since it hasn't been fired much trying to cycle those long 444 cartridges slowly will sometimes jam the action. This may or may not work with your particular rifle. Good luck.
Reply
Save
Like
21 - 39 of 39 Posts
Marlin Firearms Forum
MarlinOwners.com is a community of Marlin Firearm Owners - Dedicated to discussing Marlin Firearms, Marlin Rifles and more. Pictures, help, discussions and more.
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
336 The .35 Remington The 45/70 Govt. New Member Introductions 1894
Top