Best gun smith for Marlin 45-70

[Elly2211]

I have a trapper Marlin 45-70 that bought to use while hunting on horseback in Grizz country. Ever since I have bought it, it hasn’t been able to cycle rounds through it. I have brought it to three different gunsmiths and they say they have fixed it, but after cycling 3 or 4 rounds through it goes right back to jamming. Do I get rid of the marlin and buy a new lever action (and if so who makes the best reliable 45-70 lever action now) or do I find a gunsmith that can fix it ? I also called Ruger and they said since I bought it before the acquisition they aren’t gonna do anything about. ( after them saying that I don’t think I’d buy a Ruger)

 

[loganwayne]

What did the gunsmiths do to the gun? What ammo are you using? Are you fully cycling the lever? Hard and fast, or slow and easy? Mine doesn't cycle great unless you really slam it open and closed fast.

 

[West.mass.hunter]

Mine doesn't cycle great unless you really slam it open and closed fast.

Same here with my 45/70. My 30-30 seems to prefer hard cycles with core loks also

 

[Elly2211]

I hard cycled it, soft stroked it, I tried a few different loads, maybe it’s just normal for 45-70s ? Maybe i need something else because i need it to be dependable

 

[insanelupus]

When you say jamming, what specifically are you referring to?

 

[Rotnguns]

Marlin levers are wonderful in their simplicity and function. They do like to be cycled rapidly; that's because the inertial effects in the linkage more easily overcome the resistive forces due to sliding friction. Here is a thread from the Marlin Owners Forum that may be helpful. There are lots of good detailed discussions there:

https://www.marlinowners.com/threads/1895-guide-gun-seizing-jamming-feeding-issues.301609/

 

[backcountry_hunter]

Is it a rem-lin?

I don’t remember under Remingtons ownership them making a trapper model (probably did) but your issues are not real common with JM marlins, but was very common under Remington. A lot of the custom maker and reputable gunsmiths had disclaimers on their website they wouldn’t touch remlins. If it’s jm stamped you should be able to find a decent smith that’ll take care of it. If it’s a Remington you might be better off trading it for a new ruger made marlin

In rugers defense the Remington made marlins were a mess and I don’t necessarily hold it against them that they won’t stand behind something they had no part of

 

[Choupique]

That's not normal. They don't all feed like butter but it should never jam.

As said, if it's a Remington build, probably best to ditch it and get an older used marlin (JM stamped on barrel) or a brand new Ruger made one.

I hate to say it, but I've had nothing but bad experience with the Henry centerfires. I wouldn't trust my life to one. Had one disassemble itself on the range, one that we couldn't get to shoot straight for anything, and one that wouldn't feed good. I want to like them so much, but a good marlin is so much better.

 

[Slickhill]

It can probably be made to work with some adjustment by someone who understands how they work. Shouldn’t matter if it’s a Remington production gun or the vaunted JM, turds were produced during both eras. In all but the most extreme circumstances it can be made to run with the right timing adjustments and cleaning up of sharp edges and the like. I worked on them for a decade but have moved on and no longer do gun work. I do not know who would be the guy to send it to and if I did it would likely cost a good chunk to work it over.

Best bet is going to be to read up on tuning one and do it yourself if you’re handy or sell it and get something else.
A modern production 1886 Extra Light Winchester will be so much nicer it will blow your mind. It won’t have all the aftermarket trinkets available but it will be as reliable as a 45/70 can be right out of the box.