Went to the range today with a buddy and we were shooting his 94 Marlin in 44 Mag and I noticed the lever would kinda smack my hand each time it was fired, he said it 'does that sometimes', it wouldn't come open it would act like it wanted to. I told him not to shoot it as he might have caused some problems in it. I have one in 44 mag and one in 357x44 B&D and neither one of them has done that. Has he messed it up, he doesn't think he needs to take it to a Smith. He is kinda like Mike Venturinos buddy Shrapnel.

Steve E.............

I have a friend who thinks the 1894 in 44 mag "flexes" with hot handloads. he's an accuracy nut and very knowledgeable shooter/reloader. he said usually the groups start to open up when the reciever starts to get too torqued. I know the 336's are quite forgiving in letting you know when your reaching max. I have them in 25/35 imp and 30-30 imp. They will get either a little sticky in the first release of the lever, or as you mentioned pop open that first little bit. Took it a little further, with the old string on the trigger trick and behind a wall to see what would happen. The result was nothing more then a stuck case/lever that had to be tapped out with a rod from the muzzle while pulling on the lever. headspace was fine and I've shot the rifle now for years WITH APPROPRIATE LOADS! That was pureley a test and I dont recomend it.

That happened to my son & I (450 M) with Horn factory loads...

Turns out the recoil was causing us to put some pressure on the lever... The Lever did not open just produced a gap...

it did not happen with milder 300G Hand loads... go figure

Maybe I can talk him into taming down his handloads just a bit. That's about telling oil not to be slick. LOL.

Steve E..........

The loads could be too hot, the spring that holds the lever in place could be a bit weak or like said-- you may be hitting it during recoil without knowing it.

I thought I might be hitting it so I paid attention to that and it was actually the lever smacking our hands, it wouldn't come open it would just smack your hand. It made it sting pretty good too. I did get him to rein in his powder charges a little and it doesn't do it now, so I guess it might be too much pressure. I guess he can be my friend a little longer.

Steve E.........