[Harry Snippe]

Just bought a 307 winchester big bore . After loading some shells and heading for the range ,found that the lever drops open after firing . The loads are close to minium , so it is not because of an over loaded case .

Any idea's on what this rifle needs ?

 

[Sinbad12-2007]

Yep, just needs your hand inside the loop. It's that simple. Every 94 I've ever shot has the same trait. You've got to have your hand inside the loop pulling UP tight against the pin.

 

[Gunny357]

Marlin Drop Too.

I had the same problem with my Marlin 1894 Cowboy Ltd 45 Colt . I'd take it back to were you bought it and have them look at the lever locking lug or spur , if it has one ?.

 

[Harry Snippe]

Think I will have a smith look at . You never know why a lad trades a gun in.
Guess this gun needs some TL&C.
I would rather buy a unit from a woman , then you know they were just wanting some thing a bit different .

 

[William Iorg]

Harry,

Sorry I am not participating more often, this is a very busy time for us.
With the action closed take a look at you vertical locking bolt. The vertical bolt should be at least flush with the top of the sliding bolt but will probably be slightly above it.

Open the action and look at the locking pin on the rear of the link. The link drops with the lever. The locking bolt is spring loaded so push it in against the spring tension.
We have another thread on this bolt somewhere here on the Beartooth forum. I measured this for another guy, I’ll look for the thread. It ended up we had a similar problem with a Model 94AE in 30-30. WE pushed out the horizontal retaining pin and removed the locking pin and deepened the slot a few thousandth’s. This allowed the locking pin to come back just a bit and stopped the unlocking on firing problem. The hole thing took about 15 minutes.

The important thing too look at, and you said your loads were less than maximum is whether or not the lever stings your hand - I term this lever-kick. If you are not getting the sting of lever-kick you probably do not have a serious problem but rather a minor adjustment problem.

I wish we had tried the 30-30 with some low pressure loads to see if the action tried to unlock. It is really the recoil , I believe which causes our lever hand to unlock the lever but I never tried to prove that. I’ll watch this thread closer and see what you find out.
There should just be a moments hesitation as you unlock the action with an unloaded rifle, do you feel this as the locking pin on the link comes free?

 

[Harry Snippe]

Slim
Thank you for your time .It has been quite a few years since we spoke .
I did look at the items you pointed out . The pin at the link may well be worn, as I do not have another to look at other than our 357 trapper , which has a larger pin.
Then too the link itself does have quiet a bit of play both sideways and back and forth .
I will send it in to have a smith look at it , having already $400. into the gun .
Like the gun otherwise .
Harry