Bit of a back story: Once upon a time I fleeced a coworker out of a essentially brand new 336 in .30-30. He fired all of 16 rounds through it and didn't like the recoil. I needed another .30-30 like a hole in the head but 2 full boxes of leverution ammo, a hard case, scout mounts, hammer extension and a 336 for the princely sum of $200 is hard to walk away from.
Fast forward to this summer. My brother is heading up to the family cabin in the adirondacks and stops on the way. He brings our father's .35 rem 336 which I had sent to him after Dad died. Guess what, no ammo. He didn't realize that .35 rem ammo isn't exactly falling off of trees. Seeing as I have about a zillion rounds of .30-30 and a couple rifles, we commence to trade.
So I begged, bought, cast and borrowed some components. I still had dies. I head out to the range today and during the drive the lever had unlocked slightly. I couldn't for the life of me unlock the lever or close it. It was literally frozen solid. I sat there scratching my head and was just about to start disassembly when it occurred to me the carrier might be binding the bolt. I gave the top of the receiver a hard smack with a stick and darned if it didn't work, everything is fine.
I have never for the life of me seen that happen before. Anyone else?
PS: Say what you will about MG rifling, that .30-30 is a bell ringer at 100 yards with the lyman 311291 and a max load of IMR 3031.