Marlin 336 Hammer strike issue

[BeemerMark]

I have a Marlin 336 that I've owned for a very long time - more than 30 years. Recently it won't go boom. If I re-cock the hammer and let the firing pin hit the primer 2 or 3 times then it'll fire. I reload and it's not an ammo problem, ammo goes off fine in other lever actions. Not sure what to replace, front or rear firing pin, or firing pin spring. Could replace everything but that's getting a little pricey, especially if it doesn't solve the problem. Also on the Numrich site there are a number of Marlin 336 models. Am I safe in assuming the bolts are the same for all.

Tried calling Marlin/Remington but the repair shop is closed and doesn't seem possible to even speak to a real person. Maybe all dead from Covid-19?

[Winger Ed.]

I'd take the bolt out and clean everything, especially the firing pin real well before I started shopping for parts.

As I remember: Take out the lever pivot screw, drop out the lever, and the bolt will slide out the back.
Make sure the little ejector 'thingy' and its spring is in its slot when ya put the bolt & lever back in.

Over time, the factory oil/grease in it will get stiff & gummy, slowing down the firing pin strike.
The colder it is, and the more dust & dirt that has gotten inside the bolt, the worse the effect.

After you clean it well, try it then.
If ya can't get to the range, fire a couple of empty but primed cases into a old fluffed up towel.
It'll tell you if that was all it needed.

Being old, but low mileage--- I wouldn't think anything inside is broken.

[uscra112]

What Ed said. ^^^^^^ I've had this happen in one of mine. In my case I didn't even dismantle the bolt, just blasted Brakleen through the firing pin hole. Field expedient, of necessity. Got home and did the same treatment with WD-40. I never did dismantle the bolt. That was over ten years ago. Rifle still works fine.

[Nobade]

With the action closed and the hammer cocked, push on the back of the firing pin. Does it move easily or drag? This will help you know where to look.

[missionary5155]

One very cold morning our 336 32 Win Special did that... Whatever water pump grease had been used had froze solid.

[oconeedan]

I had one of my leverguns do this at a bad time, aiming at a big buck. It was an 1895 but same problem. There is a little spring that pushes the rear section of firing pin out of alignment with the front section, until the lever is completely closed. This is a 2 piece firing pin, and has caused some problems for some.
I think the friction of the spring, and 2 piece firing pin, is enough to give light firing pin strikes, ESPECIALLY if it is dirty, or if cold and the oil you are using thickens.
My fix, I removed that little spring . Do this at your own risk, this is modifying a safety. For me, the 2 piece pin falls out of place without the help of a spring, unless I am hanging upside down shooting. Plus, I am never rapid firing to the point I am concerned that the lever is fully closed and bolt in battery, if the lever is not closed I am not pulling the trigger.
The other fix is to buy a one piece firing pin, do a search online. Your other safety functions still work , such as half cock.
I guess two other fixes , you could leave the spring in place but bend it so it is weaker, or you could put in a stronger hammer spring, which is going to increase your trigger pull weight.
Dan

[RickinTN]

Most likely the hammer spring has gotten weak over time. The early ones even had a couple of adjustment notches where you could increase the spring tension. Remove the buttstock and look under the wrist. If you have trouble finding a replacement spring you can always place a washer or two between the end of the spring and the vertical bar which it rides against. Usually one washer will increase the power of the spring enough to be reliable. Cleaning all the other bolt components is certainly a good idea but I think you'll find the spring to be your issue.
Good Luck,
Rick

[RickinTN]

I should have mentioned also....If your rifle is an early enough version the upper side, or inside of the lower tang will be notched as an adjustment for hammer spring compression. If it is not already in the forward most notch move it there and it should correct your issue.
Rick

[sghart3578]

I had this happen on my 336. I removed the bolt and removed the firing pin from the bolt itself. Cleaned and lubed very well. I also replaced the hammer spring on re-assembly since I keep spares. I considered it cheap insurance. So far so good.

I also had it happen on my JM 1894. I figured I would do the same thing to it that I had done to my 336. When I removed the firing pin from the bolt my two piece firing pin had become a four piece firing pin. It had broken both halves. You just don't know what you are going to find.

271454

Best of luck,

Steve in N CA

[rjathon]

A one piece firing pin would help: http://www.pioneergunworks.com/marlin-rifle-parts

[sghart3578]

A one piece firing pin would help: http://www.pioneergunworks.com/marlin-rifle-parts


A lot of guys use them and I tried one once. I saw no appreciable difference. And I like the safety factor of the two piece firing pin.

Steve in N CA

[BeemerMark]

I forgot to mention I put the bolt in my ultrasonic cleaning tank and afterwords lubricated it with Ballistol. I was hoping that would remove any hard grease. I'm to take a look at the Hammer spring (thanks RickinTM) and if that doesn't work I'll dissemble the bolt.

[Winger Ed.]

I'll dissemble the bolt.

I'd encourage it.

Ultra sonics are great, but tooth brushes and Q tips are better for getting inside stuff cleaned out.

[Prairie Cowboy]

It's unlikely that the hammer spring in your 336 has weakened.
I own a 1969 JM Marlin 336 and the hammer spring in it has the same tension as my newer Remington-made rifles, even after 50 years. You could compare your hammer tension to a newer Marlin to find out.

It probably is a good idea to disassemble the bolt to inspect the firing pin for breakage or burrs and to clean out the firing pin channel thoroughly.

[BeemerMark]

I'm fairly certain I know how to disassemble the bolt but I've found youtube videos great to make sure I'm doing it the right way. I watched a lot of videos on "complete" disassembly but I've yet to fins one that takes the bolt apart. Any help here?

[Winger Ed.]

I've yet to fins one that takes the bolt apart. Any help here?

If you're not confident with taking it apart- soak it in a solvent awhile, and get a spray can of brake cleaner or carberator spray.
Soak it, then blast the spray through it.

As the bolt is wet with solvent- 'wiggle and giggle' the firing pin through its travel many, many times.
Then blast it some more with the spray.
That will loosen and break up the factory grease.

You'll know when the firing pin is all freed and limbered up.

And watch the little V spring looking ejector when ya put the bolt back in.
It really wants to jump out of its slot before the bolt slides past and traps it.

[RoyEllis]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rP4xZd84XPM
Don't shortsheet getting the bolt cleaned out.....doesn't work well without complete disassembly so you can get all the crud out of the firing pin channel. And it isn't actually hard to do once you get into it.

[pietro]

I'm fairly certain I know how to disassemble the bolt but I've found youtube videos great to make sure I'm doing it the right way.

I watched a lot of videos on "complete" disassembly but I've yet to fins one that takes the bolt apart.

Any help here?


Here ya go: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ez-MPb_3-v8


.

[BeemerMark]

Thanks guys. I've dissembled enough guns in 40+ year to feel somewhat confident. But it's good to watch a video for in gotcha's.

[dakota]

Most likely the hammer spring has gotten weak over time. The early ones even had a couple of adjustment notches where you could increase the spring tension. Remove the buttstock and look under the wrist. If you have trouble finding a replacement spring you can always place a washer or two between the end of the spring and the vertical bar which it rides against. Usually one washer will increase the power of the spring enough to be reliable. Cleaning all the other bolt components is certainly a good idea but I think you'll find the spring to be your issue.
Good Luck,
Rick

Thanks. I had not shot my waffle top in many years. I took it out this afternoon and every third round failed to fire - re-cocked and it would fire, sometimes on the third try. The action was whistle clean! I dropped a couple of drops of Kroil on the firing pin, just in case, but it seemed to move fine.
I did just as you said, and I moved the spring up a notch - not easily done. I'll shoot it again tomorrow. It added 3 lb to the trigger pull but going off every time is important!


As it turned out. There must be a broken firing pin. I took it out and the first miss-fire I looked at the primer. Only a faint indent. The rest of the primers had a good solid hit.

[BLAHUT]

cleaning can be a wonderful thing. so can a drop of oil after words. amazing just how good things work when cleaned and lubed..
old grease and dirt are the enemy.

[robg]

friend had a similar problem with his 44mag 94 .stripped bolt lubed it still misfiring.had brain wave ,check safety, yep it was on.