Marln Lever Action Gunsmiths

[Marine24]

Anyone know of a Gunsmith that specializes in Marlin lever action rifles, particularly the Guide Gun?

I typically use TJ Gunsmithing or Kelley Sports.

[w748]

It's a fairly straightforeward design , what is the issue? If you are looking at mods, take a look at marlinowners.com , a good resource for all things Marlin.

[Marine24]

Nothing specific at this point. I'm just curious what local talent was in the area for lever action rifles. Expect there are some that support the Cowboy Action teams.

I should be receiving my Marlin 1895SBL today and plan on running a few rounds through her. That should give me an idea of what kind of tuning I'd like to do.

I've been participating on the Marlin Owners forum for the past couple of weeks. There is a lot of good info on there with good people ready to help.

[Hoser]

Local, I dont know of any.

For lever guns I would send it to Jim West in Anchorage.

[BPTactical]

Sent you a PM. Marine

[dogtired]

Regan Nonneman, Grant City MO

[Milt]

The Marlin system is very straightforward and tuning is really a do-it-yourself sort of thing if you are at all mechanically inclined and careful (measure twice, cut once) in your work. Grind/file/polish any parts a bit at a time, remembering always that it is easier to remove steel than to put it back on...

Actually, the rifle will smooth up to a remarkable extent with lots of use - you might not need to do anything else.

[BPTactical]

The Marlin system is very straightforward and tuning is really a do-it-yourself sort of thing if you are at all mechanically inclined and careful (measure twice, cut once) in your work. Grind/file/polish any parts a bit at a time, remembering always that it is easier to remove steel than to put it back on...

Ahhhhhh yes, the "Kitchen Table School of Gunsmiffin".[Tooth]












Keeps me busy................................[Beer]

[Milt]

" Ahhhhhh yes, the "Kitchen Table School of Gunsmiffin".[Tooth]

Keeps me busy................................"

Well, people do need to remember the line from the second 'Dirty Harry' movie, "A man's got to know his limitations." Also, I am reminded of something from Heinlein, "...specialization is for insects."

Having worked as a mechanic on automobiles, motorcycles and (curiously, the most sophisticated of all) bicycles, I find that firearms are rather simple devices - rather like a sort of 'one-stroke' internal combustion engine.

Be as derisive as you please, but most people would be quite surprised to discover just how competent and capable they can become if they put their minds to it.

[BPTactical]

Nothing like discovering your mechanical skills are best kept to bicycles with 60,000 p.s.i. 2 inches from your face.....................................

[Milt]

The last time I checked, none of Marlin's available calibers generated anywhere near 60,000 psi; I guess you know something I don't. And, I guess a mechanical failure that puts your face in the asphalt at 50 miles per hour on a downhill bicycle run or one that crashes you at a bit over 125 on a motorcycle are trivial.

You're right; I must defer to your superior wisdom in this matter and immediately cease and desist all of my 'kitchen table gunsmiffen' and somehow buy back and melt down all the custom project guns I've done over the years. After all, my files and abrasive paper have made even the revolver cylinders on which I've done black-powder-bevels into veritable hand grenades...

How could I be so stupid as to actually think I could learn to do anything new for myself or have the temerity to teach others anything. I will bow out of this discussion so as not to corrupt anyone into thinking that they might not need to seek expert help for every aspect of their lives. The nanny state will love my new attitude.

[BPTactical]

The last time I checked, none of Marlin's available calibers generated anywhere near 60,000 psi; I guess you know something I don't. And, I guess a mechanical failure that puts your face in the asphalt at 50 miles per hour on a downhill bicycle run or one that crashes you at a bit over 125 on a motorcycle are trivial.

You're right; I must defer to your superior wisdom in this matter and immediately cease and desist all of my 'kitchen table gunsmiffen' and somehow buy back and melt down all the custom project guns I've done over the years. After all, my files and abrasive paper have made even the revolver cylinders on which I've done black-powder-bevels into veritable hand grenades...

How could I be so stupid as to actually think I could learn to do anything new for myself or have the temerity to teach others anything. I will bow out of this discussion so as not to corrupt anyone into thinking that they might not need to seek expert help for every aspect of their lives. The nanny state will love my new attitude.

I can guarantee I know a couple things you don't, just as you can guarantee that you know some things I don't Milt.
This board is all about sharing information.

Well let's just see- Marlin factory chamberings for the 1894 and 336 that I am aware of:
45 LC 15000 psi
357 Mag 38000 psi
44 Mag 38000+ psi
30/30 43000 psi
45/70 30000 psi
444 45000 psi
308 Marlin Express 55250 psi
338 Marlin Express 53000 psi
450 Marlin 52000 psi

Were getting close to 60000 psi there.
Now let's look at a couple of rechamberings that I have knowledge of -
454 Casull 60000+ psi
460 Smith and Wesson 62000+ psi
My error Milt-I used 60000 psi in the earlier post as an arbitrary number. But it was used to illustrate the forces that you are dealing with. It equates to about 7000 psi on the breechface, directly attempting to fly rearward into your gourd. The only thing that keeps it from doing so is the interaction of close tolerance mechanisms that unless one has an intimate knowledge of and function of to blindly advocate to "file/grind/polish" is foolish and dangerous.
I don't want to see any of our forum brothers and sisters get hurt because they decided to try the "Kitchen Table School of Gunsmiffin" on the "advice" of another member here.
I think you misconstrued my posts there Milt- we all like to tinker with our toys and if one is comfortable doing so then go for it. If your good at "Gunsmiffin on the dinner table" then that is your call.
But the ramifications of screwing up on a bicycle/motorcycle are a damn sight different than an act of ineptitude/ignorance with a firearm, hence the reference to "Discovering that ones mechanical abilities are best kept to bicycles with 60000 psi two inches from your face".
Eat crap @ 50 mph on your bicycle because you made a mechanical error and the only one you hurt is yourself.
Commit a mechanical error with a firearm and people can die, usually an innocent bystander.


[Beer]