Marlin Model 1894

moderate
Shop tier 3
high confidence
Rifle
lever action
tube magazine
side eject
loading gate
pistol caliber
cowboy action

field strip ~5 min · reassembly ~8 min · detail strip ~35 min

Before you begin Verify this firearm is unloaded. Remove the magazine or empty the cylinder or tube, lock the action open, and check the chamber both by sight and by touch. Keep the muzzle in a safe direction and remove all live ammunition from your work area.

Marlin Firearms limits owner disassembly The maker's own procedure goes as far as: Lever off, bolt assembly pulled from the receiver, ejector lifted out, butt stock removed. Hammer and trigger assembly stay in the receiver.. Marlin says lever-action centerfire rifles should not be disassembled beyond what the manual describes except by the factory, and that the trigger and hammer are cleaned as a unit without removing them from the receiver. (Marlin Model 1894 Lever-Action Rifles Instruction Manual — Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc., p. 31 marlinfirearms.com [1])

Specifications

Manufacturer: Marlin Firearms
Origin: United States
Category: Rifle
Action: Lever action
Calibers: .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum, .45 Colt, .38 Special
Capacity: 9 or 10 rounds depending on caliber
Production: 1894–present (in-production)
Also known as: 1894C, 1894 CST

Model-specific safety

A tube magazine is unloaded by cycling rounds through the action one at a time. There is no floorplate. Cycle until nothing more feeds, then check the chamber, the carrier, and the loading gate.
The hammer has a half-cock position. Half-cock is a hammer rest, not a safety. Later rifles add a crossbolt safety.
Tube magazines and pointed bullets do not mix. In a tube magazine a spitzer bullet tip rests against the primer of the round ahead of it, and recoil can set it off. Use flat-nose or approved polymer-tip ammunition only.
Do not force the lever. If the action binds, something is out of position.
Pistol-caliber lever guns are sensitive to cartridge overall length. Rounds loaded too long or too short for the design will jam on the carrier. Use ammunition appropriate to the rifle.

Under spring tension

Magazine tube spring
Hammer spring
Carrier spring

Easily lost parts

Lever pivot screw · Ejector spring · Loading gate spring

Tools

Tool	Required	Used for	Substitute
Flat-blade screwdriver	Yes	The lever pivot screw. Use a properly fitting blade.

Shop difficulty

Shop tier 3 Tier 3 — hardest among rifles and carbines, for the full job: strip to the parts that get coated and put it back together working. About 57 pieces with the bolt, carrier and lever kept as assemblies; Marlin says centerfire lever actions should not be stripped past the field strip except by the factory, and the hammer, magazine and sear/trigger springs all have to be controlled. Lever-action internals put it at the hard end of the rifle group, though Marlin is simpler than a Winchester 94.

Parts: 54 numbered parts (Complete rifle (1894 Classic list; bolt, carrier, ejector, lever as assemblies; SBL/Trapper supplements not included)), from Marlin Model 1894 Lever-Action Rifles Instruction Manual — Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc., p. 56 marlinfirearms.com [1].

Bench time: about 50 min to strip, 80 min to rebuild (estimate). Estimate: lever, bolt (firing pins, extractor), ejector, buttstock, hammer and mainspring, trigger guard plate (trigger, sear, trigger safety blocker, springs), carrier and screw, loading gate, cross-bolt safety (detent ball and spring), magazine tube/spring, bands and sights. Rebuild longer: hammer spring and trigger plate springs, carrier and lever/bolt timing through the stroke, function check.

Small parts: 4 pins, 4 springs, 3 detents or plungers (counted from the manufacturer's parts list (one per key number unless a quantity is given))

What comes off for coating

Action (receiver): finger lever and lever screw, breech bolt assembly (front/rear firing pin, extractor), ejector, carrier and carrier screw, loading gate and screw, locking bolt, cross-bolt safety, detent screw, ball and spring
Trigger guard plate / hammer: hammer, hammer screw, hammer strut and spring, adjusting plate, trigger, sear, trigger safety blocker, trigger spring and pins, trigger guard plate and screws — drift punch
Barrel and furniture: magazine tube, plug, spring, follower, forearm and bands, buttstock and tang screw, front/rear sights — brass punch for dovetail sights

Special tools

Gunsmith (hollow-ground) screwdrivers — Lever, tang, carrier, hammer and loading gate screws, which burr easily
Pin punches — Trigger, trigger spring and hammer strut pins
Brass/nylon drift or sight pusher — Dovetail rear sight and front sight

Known pain points

Marlin tells owners not to strip a centerfire lever action past the field strip (lever, bolt, ejector, buttstock); the trigger plate, hammer, carrier and safety work behind it is factory work. (both)
Source: Marlin Model 1894 Lever-Action Rifles Instruction Manual — Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. marlinfirearms.com [1] — “CAUTION: Lever-action centerfire firearms should NOT be disassembled beyond what is described in this manual, except by the factory.”
The hammer, the tubular magazine and the sear/trigger assembly are all spring-loaded and jump when released; they have to be controlled coming out and compressed again going back in. (both)
Source: Marlin Model 1894 Lever-Action Rifles Instruction Manual — Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. marlinfirearms.com [1] — “If a part is under spring tension (such as the hammer, tubular magazine components, and sear/trigger assembly) remove it cautiously and anticipate the direction the spring and/or components are most likely to “jump.””
Reaching the trigger, sear and trigger safety blocker means removing the stock, bolt and hammer assembly first, and the sear/safety/bolt interaction has to be checked on reassembly. (both)
Source: Review: Quick Enhancements for Marlin Leverguns — The Firearm Blog thefirearmblog.com [7] — “While actually replacement of the trigger is easy, getting to the trigger assembly in one’s Marlin is a bit of a chore. There’s no quick way of getting at it, being that to do it properly, it requires removing the stock, bolt, and hammer assembly.”
The cross-bolt safety is held by a detent ball and spring under a detent screw; the ball and spring are loose once the screw is out (the list marks them factory-fit). (both)
Source: Marlin Model 1894 Lever-Action Rifles Instruction Manual — Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. marlinfirearms.com [1] — “Safety Detent Ball”

Fit or check on rebuild

Factory-fit parts — Hammer, sear, trigger guard plate, locking bolt and safety parts are marked factory-fit; keep each rifle's parts together
Source: Marlin Model 1894 Lever-Action Rifles Instruction Manual — Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. marlinfirearms.com [1] — “Parts so marked must be factory fit.”
Sear/safety/bolt function — Check safety, trigger, sear and bolt interaction through the lever stroke
Source: Review: Quick Enhancements for Marlin Leverguns — The Firearm Blog thefirearmblog.com [7] — “Make sure to test proper safety, trigger, sear, and bolt function before finishing reassembly”
Sight re-zero — Dovetail sights moved for coating must be re-zeroed

This is Pew-Takedown's rating, not the manufacturer's. How tiers are rated. Forum reports are owners' experience, not specifications.

Manufacturer videos

Official videos from Marlin Firearms's own channels, linked rather than copied. Where a video and the steps on this page differ, follow the manufacturer's manual and video.

Marlin 1895 Guide Gun w/ Semi-buckhorn Sight Tech Tip Marlin Firearms adjustment · 2023-01-09
Covers: Any Marlin rifle fitted with the semi-buckhorn sight (per the description)

Procedures

Clear and Make Safe

Clear & Make Safe

Point the muzzle in a safe direction and keep your finger off the trigger.
If the rifle has a crossbolt safety, engage it.
Work the lever fully open and closed repeatedly, catching each cartridge as it ejects, until no more feed from the magazine.
With the lever open, inspect the chamber and the carrier with a light, and look into the loading gate to confirm the magazine tube is empty.
WarningChamber, carrier, and tube. A lever gun can hold a round in any of the three.
Physically confirm the chamber is empty, then remove all live ammunition from the work area.

Field Strip — Lever and Bolt Removal

Field Strip tools required

Complete the Clear and Make Safe procedure, and put on eye protection. Work on a bench covered with an old blanket or a piece of shallow-nap rug, and keep a shoebox to drop parts into as they come off.
WarningThe manual asks for eye protection and warns that parts under spring tension — the hammer, the tubular magazine components, the sear and trigger assembly — will jump when released.
TipA covered bench stops the rifle sliding and catches pins and springs before they reach the floor.
Open the action by rotating the lever downward and forward until the bolt is fully rearward.
Engage the safety by moving the safety button fully to the shooter's right. The red band must not be visible.
TipThe manual's sequence uses the safety button, not the hammer's half-cock notch.
Look into the ejection port and check the chamber, loading port, and magazine for cartridges.
Rotate the lever halfway through its stroke, so the bolt sits about halfway closed.
TipThe lever mounting screw will not clear with the lever fully open or fully closed.
Remove the lever mounting screw by turning it counter-clockwise.
Removed at this step: Lever mounting screw
Pull the lever down and out of the bolt assembly and receiver.
Removed at this step: Finger lever
Lay the receiver flat with the ejection port facing up, then pull the bolt assembly rearward out of the receiver.
WarningEjection port up. Turn the receiver over and the ejector moves out of position.
Removed at this step: Bolt assembly
Lift the ejector out through the ejection port with a pair of pliers, taking care not to damage it.
Removed at this step: Ejector
Stop here for cleaning. If you also need the butt stock off, remove the tang screw behind the hammer and pull the stock straight back off the receiver.
WarningLever-action centrefire rifles should not be disassembled beyond what the manual describes, except by the factory.

Reassembly

Check that the barrel is free of obstructions and the chamber is empty before the bolt goes back in. Eye protection stays on.
Insert the ejector into the ejector slot with its closed end to the rear. The post must rest in the hole at the rear end of the slot, and the flat spring must sit in the slot pointing toward the muzzle.
TipGet this orientation wrong and the rifle will not eject. Check it before the bolt goes in.
Check that the locking bolt is down, in the unlocked position. If it is up, push it down from the rear of the receiver with a small screwdriver.
TipThis is the step people miss. A locking bolt left up will not let the bolt assembly seat.
Hold the hammer down and insert the bolt assembly into the rear of the receiver with the extractor to the shooter's right.
TipBoth hands are busy here. Keep the rifle flat so the ejector stays in its slot as the bolt goes past it.
Push the bolt forward about halfway to closed — the bolt should occupy about half the ejection port.
From the bottom of the receiver, insert the lever up through the lever slot in the bolt assembly until the lever's mounting hole lines up with the receiver's.
Insert the lever mounting screw from the shooter's right and tighten it hand tight. Do not over-tighten.
If the butt stock was removed, fit it onto the rear of the receiver and tighten its mounting screw snug. Do not over-tighten.
Check that all receiver screws are tight — three on the shooter's right (hammer, carrier, loading gate) and the trigger guard plate support screw on the left — without attempting to remove or loosen them.
TipThe manual gives Torx bit sizes and torque figures for these; use them rather than feel.
Leave the safety engaged, then perform the function check.

Torque specifications

Use a calibrated torque driverValues are the manufacturer's, shown in the unit it gives first; conversions are calculated and rounded. Tighten to the stated value — not "until it feels right" — and follow any sequence noted.

Fastener	Torque	Sequence, notes and the source's words	Where it comes from
Lever Screw (key 18, Torx T20) Model 1894 rifles fitted with Torx screws	8–12 in-lb 0.9–1.4 N·m · 0.67–1 ft-lb	“18 Lever Screw T20 8 - 12”	Marlin Model 1894 Lever-Action Rifles Instruction Manual — Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc., p. 61 marlinfirearms.com [1]
Trigger Guard Plate Screw (key 19, Torx T20) Model 1894 rifles fitted with Torx screws	18–24 in-lb 2–2.7 N·m · 1.5–2 ft-lb	“19 Trigger Guard Plate Screw T20 18 - 24”	Marlin Model 1894 Lever-Action Rifles Instruction Manual — Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc., p. 61 marlinfirearms.com [1]
Hammer Screw (key 20, Torx T20) Model 1894 rifles fitted with Torx screws	2–4 in-lb 0.23–0.45 N·m · 0.17–0.33 ft-lb	“20 Hammer Screw T20 2-4”	Marlin Model 1894 Lever-Action Rifles Instruction Manual — Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc., p. 61 marlinfirearms.com [1]
Carrier Screw (key 21, Torx T10) Model 1894 rifles fitted with Torx screws	10–12 in-lb 1.1–1.4 N·m · 0.83–1 ft-lb	“21 Carrier Screw T10 10 - 12”	Marlin Model 1894 Lever-Action Rifles Instruction Manual — Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc., p. 61 marlinfirearms.com [1]
Trigger Guard Plate Support Screw (key 22, Torx T20) Model 1894 rifles fitted with Torx screws	18–24 in-lb 2–2.7 N·m · 1.5–2 ft-lb	“22 Trigger Guard Plate Support Screw T20 18 - 24”	Marlin Model 1894 Lever-Action Rifles Instruction Manual — Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc., p. 61 marlinfirearms.com [1]
Tang Screw (key 23, Torx T20) Model 1894 rifles fitted with Torx screws	30–35 in-lb 3.4–4 N·m · 2.5–2.9 ft-lb	“23 Tang Screw T20 30 - 35”	Marlin Model 1894 Lever-Action Rifles Instruction Manual — Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc., p. 61 marlinfirearms.com [1]
Loading Gate Screw (key 24, Torx T8) Model 1894 rifles fitted with Torx screws	5–10 in-lb 0.56–1.1 N·m · 0.42–0.83 ft-lb	“24 Loading Gate Screw T8 5 - 10”	Marlin Model 1894 Lever-Action Rifles Instruction Manual — Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc., p. 61 marlinfirearms.com [1]
Front Sight Screws (key 51, Torx T10) Classic Series	6–9 in-lb 0.68–1 N·m · 0.5–0.75 ft-lb	“51 Front Sight Screws T10 6-9”	Marlin Model 1894 Lever-Action Rifles Instruction Manual — Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc., p. 61 marlinfirearms.com [1]
Front Sight Screws (key 10, Torx T10) SBL Series	6–9 in-lb 0.68–1 N·m · 0.5–0.75 ft-lb	“10 Front Sight Screws T10 6-9”	Marlin Model 1894 Lever-Action Rifles Instruction Manual — Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc., p. 61 marlinfirearms.com [1]
Rear Sight Screw (key 12, Torx T10) SBL Series	18–22 in-lb 2–2.5 N·m · 1.5–1.8 ft-lb	“12 Rear Sight Screw T10 18 - 22”	Marlin Model 1894 Lever-Action Rifles Instruction Manual — Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc., p. 61 marlinfirearms.com [1]
Scope Rail Screws (key 14, Torx T10) SBL Series	18–22 in-lb 2–2.5 N·m · 1.5–1.8 ft-lb	“14 Scope Rail Screws T10 18 - 22”	Marlin Model 1894 Lever-Action Rifles Instruction Manual — Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc., p. 61 marlinfirearms.com [1]
Front Sight Screws (key 13, Torx T10) Trapper Series	6–9 in-lb 0.68–1 N·m · 0.5–0.75 ft-lb	“13 Front Sight Screws T10 6-9”	Marlin Model 1894 Lever-Action Rifles Instruction Manual — Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc., p. 61 marlinfirearms.com [1]
15 Rear Sight Screws (key 14,, Torx T10) Trapper Series	18–22 in-lb 2–2.5 N·m · 1.5–1.8 ft-lb	“14, 15 Rear Sight Screws T10 18 - 22”	Marlin Model 1894 Lever-Action Rifles Instruction Manual — Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc., p. 61 marlinfirearms.com [1]
Handguard Screws (key 2, Torx T10) Dark Series	8–11 in-lb 0.9–1.2 N·m · 0.67–0.92 ft-lb	“2 Handguard Screws T10 8 - 11”	Marlin Model 1894 Lever-Action Rifles Instruction Manual — Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc., p. 61 marlinfirearms.com [1]

Notes: From the torque table in the Ruger-made Marlin Model 1894 instruction manual (p. 61), which applies to rifles fitted with Torx screws — Ruger's words are "models so equipped". Earlier Marlin rifles with slotted screws are not covered by it. Every value is a range in inch-pounds. Key numbers refer to the manual's exploded views: the first seven to the main view on p. 57, the series-specific rows to the supplemental views on pp. 58-60, so the same key number can mean a different part in a different series. Ruger also says to use the correct Torx bit size to avoid damaging the screw heads. The reassembly procedure (p. 42) tells owners to tighten the four receiver screws without over-tightening and says "Do not attempt to remove or loosen these screws."

Reported by other sources — not the manufacturer

Not a manufacturer specificationThese values come from the people and publications named beside each one, not from Marlin Firearms, and where they differ from the manufacturer's values above, the manufacturer wins. They are recorded with who said them and their exact words so you can judge them — not as a recommendation. Confirm any of them with the manufacturer or a licensed gunsmith before you put a wrench on your firearm; a wrong value can crack a stock, strip a thread or loosen a muzzle device.

Fastener	Torque	Who says so, and their words	Where it comes from
MI handguard forward screws (6) Marlin 1894 fitted with the Midwest Industries Extended Handguard Sight System (MI-MAR1894XRS-357 / -4445)	20 in-lb 2.3 N·m · 1.7 ft-lb	Reported by Midwest Industries, Inc. Secondary — a parts or tool maker, or a gunsmithing publisher Once all screws are in place, align upper rail to the handguard, then tighten the 6 forward handguard screws (20) and the receiver screws (10). Do not tighten the rear peep sight portion until the gun is properly zeroed. Threadlocker: Apply a drop of Vibra-tite to all installation screws. (MI: 'We do not recommend the use of any other thread locker.') “Tighten all 6 forward handguard screws to 20in/lbs.”	Marlin 1894 Extended Handguard Sight System - MI-MAR1894XRS-357/MI-MAR1894XRS-4445 — Midwest Industries, Inc., PDF p. 1 midwestindustriesinc.com [2]
MI rail screws into the receiver Marlin 1894 fitted with the Midwest Industries Extended Handguard Sight System	10 in-lb 1.1 N·m · 0.83 ft-lb	Reported by Midwest Industries, Inc. Secondary — a parts or tool maker, or a gunsmithing publisher Threadlocker: Apply a drop of Vibra-tite to all installation screws. “Tighten receiver screws to 10in/lbs.”	Marlin 1894 Extended Handguard Sight System - MI-MAR1894XRS-357/MI-MAR1894XRS-4445 — Midwest Industries, Inc., PDF p. 1 midwestindustriesinc.com [2]
Hand guard interior screws (7) joining upper and lower halves Magpul ELG M-LOK Hand Guard – Marlin (MAG1381) on a Marlin 1894 (.357/.38, 10mm, .44, .45 Colt) with forearm end cap	10–12 in-lb 1.1–1.4 N·m · 0.83–1 ft-lb	Reported by Magpul Industries Secondary — a parts or tool maker, or a gunsmithing publisher “Reassemble the upper and lower halves by tightening the 7 interior screws to 10-12 in-lbs.”	Magpul MAG1381 ELG M-LOK Hand Guard – Marlin — Installation Instructions — Magpul Industries, PDF p. 1 (single page) magpul.com [4]
Handguard brass set screws (front, against barrel) Midwest Industries Marlin M-LOK Handguard (MI-MARMR) on a Marlin 1894 with forward handguard cap (excluding CB model)	5 in-lb 0.56 N·m · 0.42 ft-lb	Reported by Midwest Industries, Inc. Secondary — a parts or tool maker, or a gunsmithing publisher Threadlocker: Vibra-tite on all installation screws “Torque brass set screws to 5-inch lbs.”	Midwest Industries Marlin M-LOK Handguard (MI-MARMR) — Installation Instructions — Midwest Industries, Inc., PDF p. 1 (single page) midwestindustriesinc.com [5]
Lever rail front pillar jack screw (in rear-sight dovetail) XS Sights Lever Rail (with or without ghost ring set) on a Marlin 1894	15–18 in-lb 1.7–2 N·m · 1.2–1.5 ft-lb	Reported by XS Sights Secondary — a parts or tool maker, or a gunsmithing publisher The maker says not to tighten beyond this range. “install the pillar jack screw into the pillar a tighten using a hex wrench. Do not tighten beyond 15-18 INCH pounds of torque.”	XS Sights Lever Rail & Rear Sight Installation — Marlin 1895/336/1894, Henry, Rossi R95 — XS Sights, PDF p. 2 of 6 xssights.com [6]
Lever rail attaching screws (rear sight screw, mid rail screws into receiver) and pillar nut XS Sights Lever Rail (with or without ghost ring set) on a Marlin 1894	15–18 in-lb 1.7–2 N·m · 1.2–1.5 ft-lb	Reported by XS Sights Secondary — a parts or tool maker, or a gunsmithing publisher Threadlocker: Blue thread locking compound “If everything looks good fit wise, you can then torque screws and pillar nut to 15-18 INCH pounds.”	XS Sights Lever Rail & Rear Sight Installation — Marlin 1895/336/1894, Henry, Rossi R95 — XS Sights, PDF p. 2 of 6 xssights.com [6]
Front sight base screws (XS Integral, Standard or Clockable base) XS Sights front sight base on a Marlin lever rifle (instructions: 'Integral Base Not Applicable for Henry or Rossi')	12–15 in-lb 1.4–1.7 N·m · 1–1.2 ft-lb	Reported by XS Sights Secondary — a parts or tool maker, or a gunsmithing publisher Threadlocker: Thread locker on base bottom and threads “You can now tighten the screws down to 12-15 INCH pounds of torque.”	XS Sights Lever Rail & Rear Sight Installation — Marlin 1895/336/1894, Henry, Rossi R95 — XS Sights, PDF p. 5 of 6 xssights.com [6]

Materials and factory finish

As stated by Marlin Firearms. Prep, masking and cure depend on these; a polymer or aluminium part, a nitrided or anodised finish, and a blued steel part are each a different job. Variants with other finishes may exist — check the maker's page for the exact SKU on the bench.

Component	Material	Factory finish	Where it comes from
Receiver Classic Series Model 1894, 44 Rem Mag, model 70401	alloy steel	—	Marlin Classic Series Model 1894 — Specifications (model 70401) — Marlin Firearms (Sturm, Ruger & Co.) marlinfirearms.com [3] “Receiver, lever and trigger guard plate are CNC machined from alloy steel forgings.”
Receiver Classic Series Model 1894, 44 Rem Mag, model 70401	—	blued with a satin finish	Marlin Classic Series Model 1894 — Specifications (model 70401) — Marlin Firearms (Sturm, Ruger & Co.) marlinfirearms.com [3] “Receiver is blued with a satin finish.”
Whole firearm Classic Series Model 1894, 44 Rem Mag, model 70401	Alloy Steel	Satin Blued The maker states this for the firearm as a whole, not for a named part.	Marlin Classic Series Model 1894 — Specifications (model 70401) — Marlin Firearms (Sturm, Ruger & Co.) marlinfirearms.com [3] “Material Alloy Steel … Finish Satin Blued”
Barrel Classic Series Model 1894, 44 Rem Mag, model 70401	Alloy Steel	—	Marlin Classic Series Model 1894 — Specifications (model 70401) — Marlin Firearms (Sturm, Ruger & Co.) marlinfirearms.com [3] “Barrel Cold Hammer-Forged Alloy Steel”
Stock Classic Series Model 1894, 44 Rem Mag, model 70401	American Black Walnut	—	Marlin Classic Series Model 1894 — Specifications (model 70401) — Marlin Firearms (Sturm, Ruger & Co.) marlinfirearms.com [3] “Stock American Black Walnut”

Parts list

Transcribed from the manufacturer's parts list (Marlin Model 1894 Lever-Action Rifles Instruction Manual — Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc., p. 56 marlinfirearms.com [1]) — Marlin Model 1894; the manual's supplemental Classic, SBL and Trapper series lists are not included. Exploded view on p. 57. Key numbers refer to the exploded view in that document.

54 parts

Key	Part	Qty
1	Receiver The receiver is a serial-numbered part and is not offered for sale.	1
2	Trigger Guard Plate Parts so marked must be factory fit.	1
3	Barrel Parts so marked must be factory fit.	1
4	Breech Bolt Assembly Parts so marked must be factory fit.	1
5	Buttstock Assembly	1
6	Magazine Tube Plug	1
7	Finger Lever Assembly	1
8	Hammer Parts so marked must be factory fit.	1
9	Marlin Trigger	1
10	Sear Parts so marked must be factory fit.	1
11	Trigger Safety Blocker	1
12	Trigger Spring	1
13	Hammer Strut	1
14	Hammer Adjusting Plate	1
15	Hammer Spring	1
16	Magazine Tube Spring	1
17	Magazine Follower	1
18	Lever Screw	1
19	Trigger Guard Plate Screw	1
20	Hammer Screw	1
21	Carrier Screw	1
22	Trigger Guard Plate Support Screw	1
23	Tang Screw	1
24	Loading Gate Screw	1
25	Locking Bolt Parts so marked must be factory fit.	1
26	Safety Button Parts so marked must be factory fit.	1
27	Safety Detent Screw Parts so marked must be factory fit.	1
28	Safety Detent Ball Parts so marked must be factory fit.	1
29	Safety Detent Spring Parts so marked must be factory fit.	1
30	Ejector Assembly	1
31	Carrier Assembly	1
32	Hammer Strut Pin	1
33	Trigger Pin	1
34	Trigger Spring Pin	1
35	Trigger Guard Plate Latch Pin	1
36	Hammer Spur	1
37	Hammer Spur Screw	1
38	Magazine Tube	1
39	Forearm	1
40	Forearm Band	1
41	Forearm Band Screw	1
42	Barrel Band	1
43	Barrel Band Screw	1
44	Magazine Tube Plug Screw	1
45	Loading Gate	1
46	Filler Set Screw	4
47	Rear Sight Base	1
48	Rear Sight Leaf	1
49	Rear Sight Elevator	1
50	Front Sight Ramp Base	1
51	Front Sight Screw	1
52	Front Sight Blade	1
53	Front Sight Hood	1
54	Trigger Preload Spring	1

Function check

After every reassemblyPerform these checks on a verified-unloaded firearm. If any check fails, the firearm is not safe to fire — stop and see a licensed gunsmith.

Completely unload the rifle and check the chamber, loading port, and magazine through the ejection port before testing anything.
Open the action fully and engage the safety.
Rear firing pin test: push on the rear firing pin from the bottom of the bolt, then release. It must return to the downward, disconnected position without hesitation. If it does not, the rifle is not safe to fire — it goes back to the manufacturer, not to the range.
Look into the ejection port and confirm the firing pin tip is NOT protruding from the bolt face. A protruding firing pin means the rifle is not safe.
With the safety engaged, cycle the action fully open and fully closed.
Disengage the safety and, with the rifle pointed in a safe direction, pull the trigger fully rearward. The hammer should release.
Confirm the trigger returns completely forward each time it is released.
Cycle the action and repeat the last three steps several times.

Maintenance

Lubrication points

Bolt body and locking block
Lever camming surfaces
Carrier pivot
Hammer and sear pivots
Magazine tube exterior

Cleaning notes

Keep the inside of the magazine tube dry rather than oiled — oil there collects fouling and slows the follower. Clean from the breech with a bore guide where the action allows it.

Suggested inspection interval: roughly every 500 rounds. This is a general guideline, not a manufacturer specification.

Wear parts to inspect

Extractor · Ejector and spring · Carrier · Magazine spring · Loading gate spring where fitted

Common issues

Symptom	Likely cause	What to do
Lever will not rotate back into place	Bolt not positioned so the lever lug can engage	Adjust bolt position and rotate the lever in without force.
Rounds jam on the carrier while cycling	Short-stroking the lever, or a worn carrier	Work the lever fully. If it persists, have the carrier inspected. see a gunsmith
Rifle will not fire though the hammer falls	Lever not fully closed, engaging the lever safety	Close the lever completely. This is by design.

Also covers

The procedures above are reported to apply to: Marlin 1894C · Marlin 1894 CST · Marlin 1894 in various pistol calibers. Verify against the manual for your specific model.

Similar manual of arms

Marlin Model 336

Sourcing

Confidence: high — Cross-checked against a primary source such as the manufacturer's manual or an issuing military technical manual.
Verification: Checked against the manufacturer manual
Last updated: 2026-10-29

References

Every source this page draws on, with its web address so you can read it yourself. Numbers in brackets elsewhere on the page point here.

[1] Marlin Model 1894 Lever-Action Rifles Instruction Manual — Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. manufacturer manual primary source
https://www.marlinfirearms.com/assets/pdfs/RM-Marlin-1894.pdf (checked 2026-09-14)
[2] Marlin 1894 Extended Handguard Sight System - MI-MAR1894XRS-357/MI-MAR1894XRS-4445 — Midwest Industries, Inc. manufacturer manual secondary source
https://midwestindustriesinc.com/content/installation-instructions/Marlin-1894-Extended-Handguard-Sight-System-Instructions.pdf (checked 2026-09-27)
[3] Marlin Classic Series Model 1894 — Specifications (model 70401) — Marlin Firearms (Sturm, Ruger & Co.) website primary source
https://www.marlinfirearms.com/s/model_70401/ (checked 2026-10-03)
[4] Magpul MAG1381 ELG M-LOK Hand Guard – Marlin — Installation Instructions — Magpul Industries manufacturer manual secondary source
https://magpul.com/media/wysiwyg/Instructions/MAG1381_INSRT_ELG-M_092-0109-B.pdf (checked 2026-10-11)
[5] Midwest Industries Marlin M-LOK Handguard (MI-MARMR) — Installation Instructions — Midwest Industries, Inc. manufacturer manual secondary source
https://midwestindustriesinc.com/content/installation-instructions/Marlin-Handguard-MARMR-Instructions.pdf (checked 2026-10-11)
[6] XS Sights Lever Rail & Rear Sight Installation — Marlin 1895/336/1894, Henry, Rossi R95 — XS Sights manufacturer manual secondary source
https://xssights.com/content/Install%20Instructions/Lever%20Rail%20%26%20Rear%20Sight%20Installation%20-%20Marlin%201895-336-1894-Henry-Rossi%20R95%20compiled.pdf (checked 2026-10-11)
[7] Review: Quick Enhancements for Marlin Leverguns — The Firearm Blog website secondary source
https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2018/02/14/review-quick-enhancements-marlin-leverguns/ (checked 2026-10-29)

Notes: Verified and expanded on 2026-09-14 against the Ruger-era factory manual. The outline was right but the entry was missing the steps that make it work: rotating the lever halfway before the mounting screw will clear, laying the receiver ejection-port-up so the ejector stays put, and removing the ejector at all. Reassembly was missing three requirements — ejector orientation, the locking bolt being down, and holding the hammer down as the bolt goes in — without which the rifle does not go back together. The function check now carries the manual's rear firing pin and protruding firing pin tests, both of which are pass/fail conditions for whether the rifle is safe to fire at all. Shares the Marlin lever action pattern with the Model 336. Production spans Marlin, Remington-era, and Ruger-era manufacture with detail differences; confirm against the manual for your rifle.

Found something wrong? Corrections are the most valuable contribution to this project. Open an issue with the model, the step, and a source.