Author Topic: misfires (solved, I think) ( nope, not yet!!) FINALLY SOLVED!! Thanks guys!! (Read 1644 times)

havent got a clue · « **on:** March 04, 2010, 09:05:19 AM »

Bought a new/used 1895ss 45-70 about 15 years ago. (paid $200. plus a box of ammo, only 5 were shot). Over the years I've messed arround with this gun on and off, maybe put 5-600 rounds thru it, all reloads. This past summer I took it out to get reaquianted and it kept misfiring. I would pull the trigger and click, recock the hammer and try again, boom! I'm reasonably sure its not my reloads because I was shooting the same reloads thru my Ruger #1 and my sons Handi Rifle that day. I didn't think it was caused by a gummed up firing pin spring because it was in the summer and fairly warm, but i may be mistaken. Any thoughts from you Marlin guys?
Thanks,
Bill

Cecil · « **Reply #1 on:** March 05, 2010, 02:52:35 AM »

What did the primers look like?

havent got a clue · « **Reply #2 on:** March 05, 2010, 05:34:04 AM »

the primers have a little dimple in them after the initial click, then normal after the second try and successful ignition.
I think I've figured the problem out in my head, most likey a gummed up firing pin spring.
I guess I'm just wondering if this is a common occurence with Marlins, this is the first one I've owned (however a buddie of mine just traded me a marlin 30-30 and a 35 rem. for an old dirt bike). I've never had a problem like this with any of my other rifles that have been fired thousands of times.

Old Grizz · « **Reply #3 on:** March 06, 2010, 10:20:45 AM »

These GG have a 2 piece firing pin and if either are "gunked up" the pin may not have enough punch to set the primer off. I think your right, dirty firing pin.

Dee · « **Reply #4 on:** March 06, 2010, 04:34:16 PM »

I think Old Grizz is on to the problem. Perhaps someone before you, or you were a big fan of WD40. That is a deal breaker on reliability.

havent got a clue · « **Reply #5 on:** March 06, 2010, 07:08:30 PM »

Thanks for the info, I took your advise and pulled the firing pin mechanism and saturated it with Tetra Gun Action Blaster, I think that will do the trick. I'm a little embarrassed to conside the fact that it was just a filthy gun that was causing the problems however In my defence this is the first lever gun I've owned. My first love is handguns, I've hunted the last 30 years with handguns and taken a lot of big game with them. They are always cleaned, oiled and well fondled. Thank again.

havent got a clue · « **Reply #6 on:** March 07, 2010, 03:20:53 AM »

Quote from: havent got a clue on March 06, 2010, 07:08:30 PM

Thanks for the info, I took your advise and pulled the firing pin mechanism and saturated it with Tetra Gun Action Blaster, I think that will do the trick. I'm a little embarrassed to conside the fact that it was just a filthy gun that was causing the problems however In my defence this is the first lever gun I've owned. My first love is handguns, I've hunted the last 30 years with handguns and taken a lot of big game with them. They are always cleaned, oiled and well fondled. Thanks again.

remember the golden rule.....he who has the gold makes the rules!

rex6666 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 08, 2010, 09:37:19 AM »

Quote from: Dee on March 06, 2010, 04:34:16 PM

I think Old Grizz is on to the problem. Perhaps someone before you, or you were a big fan of WD40. That is a deal breaker on reliability.

WHOA!!!!!!!!
Dee are you saying my favorite WD40 might gum up a Marlin rifle?

rex6666 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 08, 2010, 09:39:17 AM »

Quote from: havent got a clue on March 05, 2010, 05:34:04 AM

the primers have a little dimple in them after the initial click, then normal after the second try and successful ignition.
I think I've figured the problem out in my head, most likey a gummed up firing pin spring.
I guess I'm just wondering if this is a common occurence with Marlins, this is the first one I've owned (however a buddie of mine just traded me a marlin 30-30 and a 35 rem. for an old dirt bike). I've never had a problem like this with any of my other rifles that have been fired thousands of times.

Maybe you should think about trading that 35 to me.

havent got a clue · « **Reply #9 on:** March 09, 2010, 04:55:07 AM »

After using almost 1/2 can of Tetra Gun action blaster I reassembled the gun, took it out and shot it. Same problem, pull the trigger click! recock the hammer second trigger pull, Boom. Last night I restripped the action reapplied the Gun Blaster, let it set for a while, put some Rem Oil down the mechanism and left it standing on it nose. (firing pin down). Later on today I'll go give it another try. I'll return and report.

Old Grizz · « **Reply #10 on:** March 09, 2010, 07:37:25 AM »

Make sure when you reassemble it that the back half of the firing pin is lineing up with the long fireing pin in front. It's spring loaded and sometimes that spring breaks and it won't align with the front pin. If it still doesn't work replace it with a one piece fireing pin.

havent got a clue · « **Reply #11 on:** March 09, 2010, 09:35:27 AM »

is there some type of retro fit to replace the orginal firing pin with a single pin mechanism? And if so, can i do it myself or does it have to go back to the factory? I'll take a gander in Brownells.
Thanks,
Bill

Dee · « **Reply #12 on:** March 09, 2010, 10:56:53 AM »

Quote from: havent got a clue on March 09, 2010, 09:35:27 AM

is there some type of retro fit to replace the orginal firing pin with a single pin mechanism? And if so, can i do it myself or does it have to go back to the factory? I'll take a gander in Brownells.
Thanks,
Bill

Have you totally, and completely. disassembled the bolt, removed the firing pin, and made sure there is not foreign objects in the firing pin channel?

havent got a clue · « **Reply #13 on:** March 09, 2010, 11:20:43 AM »

@ Dee, no I haven't dissambeled the bolt, how do you do it? is there a site that can instruct me?
thanks for the info.
Bill

Dee · « **Reply #14 on:** March 09, 2010, 01:28:01 PM »

Once you have the bolt out of the receiver there are two firing pin retainer pins on top. One at the front, and one at the back. Roll the bolt over on it's back, and tap these two pins out, and the firing pin assembly should slide out the back to the bolt. Careful not to loose the flat firing pin spring. Once that is done, you can check for breakage,or crud buildup in the firing pin channel of the bolt. If you cant do that, pm me with phone number, and I will either try and walk you thru it, or send you the schematics and instructions.

havent got a clue · « **Reply #15 on:** March 09, 2010, 07:17:13 PM »

I compleatly disassebled the firing pin block (removed the shell ejector popped both pins out) and inspected the block and pin recleaned them both reoiled the assembly and put it all back together. I test fired some primers and they went pop the first time!! I'll try the loaded stuff tomorrow and let you know. Thanks Dee for your help.
Bill.

Swampman · « **Reply #16 on:** March 10, 2010, 12:22:31 PM »

I use WD-40 all the time to free up gunked up firing pins. It's a great sovent.

havent got a clue · « **Reply #17 on:** March 10, 2010, 12:52:06 PM »

Ok, just got back in from testing the cleaned firing pin.....same problem!! I guess I'll pull the trigger mechanism and check the hammer spring thats the only thing left unless its from a short/worn firing pin. Any suggestions?

Swampman · « **Reply #18 on:** March 10, 2010, 12:56:24 PM »

Put a washer under the hammer spring.

havent got a clue · « **Reply #19 on:** March 10, 2010, 01:02:25 PM »

will that stiffen it up?

STUMPJMPR · « **Reply #20 on:** March 10, 2010, 01:10:56 PM »

When the lever cams all the way up it pushes the 2 piece firing pin into alignment so the gun will fire. Maybe the top of the lever is worn or the hole the firing pins fit in is worn and it doesn't allow the pins to line up right to achieve the desired length. Just a thought.

havent got a clue · « **Reply #21 on:** March 10, 2010, 03:23:43 PM »

OK, so I examined the hammer spring, looked in new condition, took Swampman advice and put a washer behind the hammer spring. I had two cases that the primers had been dimpled quite deeply (after repeated recocking and pulling the trigger) but had refused to fire. Pulled the projectiles and the charges and tried them again, Pop!!! I couldn't believe that the primers after being mangeled so badly would fire, but they did!! I think this may have sloved the problem. I'll let you guys know tomorrow when I shoot this fool thing again.
Thanks
Bill

Dee · « **Reply #22 on:** March 10, 2010, 03:53:27 PM »

If that doesn't work make sure the firing pin spring is returning the firing pin back to ready positions. It very well may not be. A way to check this point the gun straight up and seeing if it fires primers every time. If it does then the firing pins spring is not pushing the firing pin BACK after each round.

havent got a clue · « **Reply #23 on:** March 11, 2010, 10:39:30 AM »

Just got back in from testing the "shimmed" hammer spring. IT WORKS!!!! When I pull the trigger the gun goes BOOM! The trigger pull seems a bit stiffer than I remember but what the heck this not a varmint rifle. Thanks guys for all your suggestions.
Bill.

Dee · « **Reply #24 on:** March 11, 2010, 10:40:56 AM »

Now you know how the INSIDE of you gun works, and it's fixed too.