Marlin 336 misfire

[Taeverling]

Hello everyone, I have a 1948 marlin 336 in 30-30 that seems to misfire a little, but... I cant seem to figure out if it's the ammo or the gun. Im using remington ammo and haven't had a chance to get another kind. It has the 2 piece firing pin. I have replaced the mainspring with a overpowered one as well. Also i have took everything apart and cleaned it deeply as well as polished all parts that move together. Big question is has anyone else had this problem? Or problems with remington ammo?

 

[Mgderf]

Front part of firing pin worn, or broken?
Are your primer strikes light, or mishaped?

 

[Taeverling]

Front part of firing pin worn, or broken?
Are your primer strikes light, or mishaped?

It seems fine, no chips or anything out of the ordinary. And the primer strikes when it doesn't fire are light, but when it does fire its a nice deep indent. It's a hit and miss kinda thing.

 

[Mgderf]

I would suspect the firing pin channel has some shellac or varnish buildup.
I know you said you cleaned it well, but this is an area often overlooked.

 

[Frontiersman]

Yep, sticky firing pin travel is usually the culprit.

 

[Leadeye]

I had a similar problem with an 1893 Marlin and had to grind down the front firing pin where the retaining pin held it in place. My tip off there was the pin was hard to drive in or out. Sticky firing pin is likly the issue, but if it moves easily with the retaining pin out, but not in you may have the same problem I had.

 

[Taeverling]

I would suspect the firing pin channel has some shellac or varnish buildup.
I know you said you cleaned it well, but this is an area often overlooked.

That's what I suspected for a moment but I took the bolt all apart and cleaned thoroughly. Also polishing the firing pin as well as the firing pin hole.

 

[Mgderf]

That's what I suspected for a moment but I took the bolt all apart and cleaned thoroughly. Also polishing the firing pin as well as the firing pin hole.

Then refer to post #6

 

[Taeverling]

The firing pin moves very easily, pushes through the hole with very light pressure.

 

[MindfulMan]

Post #6 ..... Leadeye knows his stuff !

 

[Creedmoor]

Take a few small pieces of clear Scotch tape and stick them on a few shoulders of the ammo you have. Shoot them and see if you have better firing pin dents on your brass.
That will add a few thou to the chamber lenght of the cartridge.

 

[Taeverling]

Take a few small pieces of clear Scotch tape and stick them on a few shoulders of the ammo you have. Shoot them and see if you have better firing pin dents on your brass.
That will add a few thou to the chamber lenght of the cartridge.

I will give that a try this week. Thank you for the info.