...and it's a good thing I do!
I was drawn for a deer reduction hunt in one of our state parks.
The hunt is to be held on November 12th & 13th (Mon & Tues), just over a week away.
We will only be allowed to use pistol caliber rifles, so I dug out the JM stamped 1894 Marlin in .44mag.
I haven't used it in years, but thought it would be a good choice.
I dug it out of the safe thinking I would head to the range today and make sure I was still sighted in.
It only has iron sights, so I thought I should be o.k.
I thought I might try some Underwood ammo I just picked up. It is 200gr jacketed hollow point .44spl.
I loaded 10 rounds in the magazine and cycled them through. Smooth as I remembered.
Then I loaded 10 rounds of Mag-Tec full load 240gr .44mag JSP.
As soon as I dropped the lever I knew something was wrong.
The lever opened fully, and then stopped, and the gun locked up, fully loaded.
I took the lever screw out and removed the lever, emptying the mag at the same time.
When the last round came out, the loading gate fell loose inside the receiver.
Upon further inspection I found the loading gate screw had broken off in the load gate!
Everything else appears to be kosher, but the rifle is down until I can replace the screw.
I have several other options, so I dug out the Rossi M92 in .454Casull.
It appears to be functioning properly, so I guess it's now first in the lineup.
At least it's only a screw, and I did manage to remove the gate, but I may need a smiths help to re-install.
I'm glad I decided to check things out before the day arrived. I always do, but this is the first time that it's paid off.
Now to go find a screw...
I was drawn for a deer reduction hunt in one of our state parks.
The hunt is to be held on November 12th & 13th (Mon & Tues), just over a week away.
We will only be allowed to use pistol caliber rifles, so I dug out the JM stamped 1894 Marlin in .44mag.
I haven't used it in years, but thought it would be a good choice.
I dug it out of the safe thinking I would head to the range today and make sure I was still sighted in.
It only has iron sights, so I thought I should be o.k.
I thought I might try some Underwood ammo I just picked up. It is 200gr jacketed hollow point .44spl.
I loaded 10 rounds in the magazine and cycled them through. Smooth as I remembered.
Then I loaded 10 rounds of Mag-Tec full load 240gr .44mag JSP.
As soon as I dropped the lever I knew something was wrong.
The lever opened fully, and then stopped, and the gun locked up, fully loaded.
I took the lever screw out and removed the lever, emptying the mag at the same time.
When the last round came out, the loading gate fell loose inside the receiver.
Upon further inspection I found the loading gate screw had broken off in the load gate!
Everything else appears to be kosher, but the rifle is down until I can replace the screw.
I have several other options, so I dug out the Rossi M92 in .454Casull.
It appears to be functioning properly, so I guess it's now first in the lineup.
At least it's only a screw, and I did manage to remove the gate, but I may need a smiths help to re-install.
I'm glad I decided to check things out before the day arrived. I always do, but this is the first time that it's paid off.
Now to go find a screw...
