I know...this sounds like a personal problem, but the edge of the frame around my .357 loading gate is really sharp and it consistantly bites my finger when I load the last round into the mag tube. I have two 1894s in 44 mag and they are a little sharp too, but due to the size of the .44 loading gate it does not bite my finger the same way the .357 loading gate does.

Has anyone else experienced this problem and how did you solve it?? I'm thinking about just taking a cratex point in the Dremel and smoothing out the edge. Any other ideas??

Haven't had that problem, but I bent the loading gate spring slightly to weaken it just because it was obnoxiously stiff.

On the other hand, the edge of the lever loop on my 1894 is sharp enough to hurt and sometimes draw blood as recoil raps my fingers against the loop. I've gotten into the habit of wrapping my fingers outside the loop instead of inside, but I really should radius the edge.

One of the things lots of the cowboy shooters do for the loop is to wrap rawhide strips on the bottom of the loop where your knuckles rest.
I agree with taking a grinder to the gate. I did the same with mine in 45 and also bent the spring in my 450 Alaskan.
Frank

Many people have the same problem and they smooth the edge of the gate. Use whatever tool or techique you feel confortable with.

Too small and/or sharp lever loop is another common problem with Marlins. There is several after market replacement options for this. I too hurt my fingers if I leave all of them inside the loop when shooting with my 1895GS. Plan to buy the DRC large loop lever, it is not too big - just big enough to cure the problem.

A quick little tip. what I do, and have seen other people do as well, is push the round most of the threw the loading gate, then take the next round and push the first round completely into the tube. Pushing the next round almost all the way in. Then repeat.

That way your always pushing in the round into the tube with the next round and only have to worry about cutting your finger on the last round. Once you get that down its about the fastest way to get the gun loaded.

Thanks Folks!!

I took the 1894 apart last night and polished everything in sight on the bench with a cratex wheel and a scotchbright wheel, ran the parts thru the solvent tank and put it back together. Now it is the slickest gun I own!! I really got carried away and a few parts need to be blued back to original, but I'll bet the deer won't care. Not to say that Marlin left a lot of rough machining, but now it is really smooth in all operations and it took all the sharp edges off everything. I even shortened the slide part of the Williams 5D to make it smoother and hit it with Alumiblack. I like it!!! Next is a 336!!

RANGE REPORT.....

17.0 gr Lilgun, Rem 158 gr FP, Win small pistol primers and R-P .357 brass. No chrony readings.

7 rounds to get it 2" high at 50 yds, dead on at 75 yds and about 4" low at 100 yds.

5 shot groups with Williams 5D and old eyes were 1 5/8" at 50 yds (x2) and about 5" at 100 yds (x3)...sounds like a 100 yd deer and 75 yds fox gun to me.