Marlin 1894 Magazine spring

Dead Horse Bob

I'm having some difficulty loading rounds into the magazine tube of my Marlin 1894 (.44 magnum). I don't mean to sound all wimpy, but it's pretty hard stuffin' and it beats the crap outta my fingers. It's been quite a while since I used this gun, and I musta been a lot stronger or the thing musta been a bit easier to load in those days. I just lubed the tube and spring, but that didn't seem to make a lot of difference. Now, that spring seemed to be long enough for at least two guns - so, should I shorten it up some, and if so, how much would be a good start?

jeweler jim

Let me preface my reply with the idea that I'm the member of the posse that has his screw drivers confiscated any time I'm caught with any in my possession.<br />
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Having said that, my daughter's Marlin (38/357 Mag) would not accept ten rounds. I simply cut the spring enough until it would (now accepts eleven 38's) and tested it by running a bunch of dummy cartridges through it to make sure it would still load the last couple of cartridges properly. Beyond that, if you're looking to lighten the loading gate and/or adjust the way it loads I would suggest that there are a few in the posse that could help you with that. Don't know the timing or availability for doing the work, but you could start with "Huck" and/or talk to "Grit" for advice. You also have Floyd in Rockford, but I don't know if he does Marlins. Had my daughter's done by "Spur" down around Macomb, IL (Before I knew of Huck's gun smithing services). I liked what Spur did, but there could be a long wait for his work now as his reputation with Marlins continues to build and many of the "Gamers" have him work there guns. <br />
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There is also a loading tool made out of PVC that you drop the ten cartridges into and a wooden rod that you use to push all the cartridges in to the magazine at one time. Pretty slick, but I don't know if they make them in 44.

Kidd Casey

YOU CAN GET RELOADING TUBES FROM COYOTE CAPS GRAND DAUGHTER KATIE. CALL 507-685-4635.THEY HAVE THEM IN .25-20,32-20,38,357,.38-40,44-40,.44 SPEC.,44 MAG,45 SCHFIELD,AND .45 L.C. DID I MISS ANY. <img src='http://www.goodguysposse.org/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/innocent.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> ( AND IF THAT DOESN'T HELP CALL MASTER HUCKLEBERRY AT 815-675-2566). K.C.

Dead Horse Bob

Kidd Casey wrote on Sep 2 2007, 01&#58;47 PM:

YOU CAN GET RELOADING TUBES FROM COYOTE CAPS GRAND DAUGHTER KATIE. CALL 507-685-4635.THEY HAVE THEM IN .25-20,32-20,38,357,.38-40,44-40,.44 SPEC.,44 MAG,45 SCHFIELD,AND .45 L.C. DID I MISS ANY. <img src='http://www.goodguysposse.org/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/innocent.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> ( AND IF THAT DOESN'T HELP CALL MASTER HUCKLEBERRY AT 815-675-2566). K.C.

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Ah, that would help quite a bit.. Thanks guys.. I'll check out that tube idea..

Huckleberry

Howdy SS, With the tube and follower clean and slightly oiled. Now with the mag tube cap off, measure the spring at four inches sticking out, and cut it. Take out the white nylon round limiter rod if it has one and put on the mag cap. It should be good to go. Now in an action job many smiths include lightening up the tension on the loading gate and they at the same time can champher the opening going into the mag tube at the reciever for a no hang up loading feed.<br />
<img src='http://www.goodguysposse.org/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cowboy1.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':cowboy1:' /> Huck