Marlin 336 ejector problem

[GunnerRon]

Marlin 336 30-30. I have problems with empties not being ejected most of the time. Live rounds no problem. I have less than 300 rounds through this gun. Any suggestions before the gunsmith gets involved? I have tried a couple of different ammo brands, same problem.

[SBsasquatch]

First off, I'm not an expert by any means. Second I own a newer marlin so I'm only speculating.

I would first start off with a field strip. Make sure to check the contact points on the ejector and extractor. There should be no chips/burrs/bent pieces.

If all is well, reassemble and function test with a snap cap if possible.

Now this part is imperative. Load one in the loading gate. Grab the lever and rack that mother F-er like you mean it. Fast and deliberate. If it still does it, it's time to consulate a Smith/ return to factory

[CCrawford]

Since it happens with fired brass, check the chamber for roughness. The unfired brass is not expanded and the fired is. Confirm the chamber is clean and smooth (well finished), polish the chamber as required if rough.

Good luck
Criss

[Flyin Brian]

Marlin 336 30-30. I have problems with empties not being ejected most of the time. Live rounds no problem. I have less than 300 rounds through this gun. Any suggestions before the gunsmith gets involved? I have tried a couple of different ammo brands, same problem.

OP, can you confirm that the problem is ejecting and not extracting?

It's nothing short of amazing how many people come on the forums and say one when they mean the other!

If it truly is an ejecting problem, have you pulled the bolt and inspected the ejector? They do break now and then. Ejectors are inexpensive and easy to replace, all you need is a flat blade hollow-ground screwdriver to remove the lever.

FB

[ar15barrels]

It's nothing short of amazing how many people come on the forums and say one when they mean the other!

Yep.
Basic nomenclature is REALLY important when trying to describe a problem properly.

For those not aware:
Extraction is the act of removing a case/cartridge from the chamber so that it is under the control of the bolt.
A failure to extract leaves the cartridge in the chamber/barrel.


Ejection is the act of pushing the extracted case/cartridge out of the action after it enters the ejection port area.
A failure to eject leaves the cartridge outside of the chamber/barrel, but still inside the action after the action has been cycled.

[GunnerRon]

Yes, I am sure of my problem statement. Ejecting is the problem. The empty brass is extracted from the barrel but not ejected from the gun.

[ar15barrels]

The empty brass is extracted from the barrel but not ejected from the gun.

Some lever actions feel clunky when you reach the ejection phase of cycling the action.
If you are not swiftly moving the action, the ejection effort will sometimes stop the movement of the lever.
Perhaps try cycling the action more swiftly and see if this makes a difference.
If nothing else, it's one more point-of-information to help with troubleshooting.

[Flyin Brian]

Yes, I am sure of my problem statement. Ejecting is the problem. The empty brass is extracted from the barrel but not ejected from the gun.

Ok, just making sure. So open the Lever half way, remove the Lever pivot screw & lever, then the bolt can slide back to reveal the ejector. It just sits in the side of the receiver and is held in by it's own spring pressure.

[ar15barrels]

Ok, just making sure. So open the Lever half way, remove the Lever pivot screw & lever, then the bolt can slide back to reveal the ejector. It just sits in the side of the receiver and is held in by it's own spring pressure.

And according to THIS product description, the originals are made of two pieces and it's common for the them to break.



I can't say that I have ever had a lever gun ejector break on me, but I would prefer a one-piece one to a two-piece one if I were replacing one that was broken...

[Flyin Brian]

Either of those is preferable to the original one-piece

These were held in with a screw and we're not very reliable: