Marlin 190 problems...

Falcon501 · Post by **Falcon501** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 6:51 pm

I have a marlin 190 that my uncle gave me this weekend...It is my first shotgun so I don't even know where to start. First off I can't fit more than 2 rounds into it...
This

Is blocking more rounds. Anyone know how to get it out?
Can I shoot slugs through this gun? It says 2¾-3 inches on it and it also says full choke. Can it take steel shot? Anything I need to know in particular? Thanks for putting up with me...

SteveW · Post by **SteveW** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 4:53 pm

Jason,

Are you sure it isn't a model 120? The device that blocks the magazine tube so it can't be loaded with more that 2 rounds is called a plug. I can't actually see a plug in your pic, but you should be able to see a plastic rod that moves freely within the tube. To remove it, remove the magazine cap/barrel nut and pry gently on the retainer while holding a folded towel over the whole assembly. If you pry too forcefully, it will deform. The retainer will pop out, the spring will partially escape into the towel (or air or into your face if precautions have not been taken) and the plug will simply drop into your hand.

Caution is needed for this operation, though! The retainer is under considerable spring pressure! When the retainer comes loose, be absolutely certain what it and the spring will strike. A folded towel is greatly preferred here. Two of the negative consequenses to be avoided are having the spring strike you in the face

- which WILL leave a mark ( at the very least!), and part or parts can easily sail away & not be found again! After the plug has been removed, compress the spring back into the magazine tube and carefully squeeze the retainer back into the end as it was before you removed it.

Keep the plug. It is illegal to hunt certain game species without it.

You can shoot steel shot in it, but I'm not 100% certain of slugs in a full choke as I have never fired that combination. A call to a full-service sporting goods store in your area will clear that question up for you.

I can't think of other comments concerning the model 120, but do be cautious when prying the retainer from the magazine tube. SW

Falcon501 · Post by **Falcon501** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 9:26 am

Yes, I screwed up, it is a model 120. Me, being stupid, tried to take it apart without any sort of directions

Now, I cannot get anything back together. The barrel is off, the magazine tube spring thing (great name for it huh?

) is out. I can't get the thing back together. Are there any instruction manuals that can be found online for this gun? Does anyone know if there are any sort of step by step pictures to put everything back together? Thanks for the help..

SteveW · Post by **SteveW** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 10:50 pm

Jason,

I checked my disassembly manuals, and the 120 is not listed. All is not lost, though - it's fairly basic. Were you able to remove the plug?

If so, begin by replacing the magazine spring. There is a piece that precedes the spring into the magazine tube called the cartridge follower. Most of these are orange these days, but yours may not. It pushes the shells against the cartridge carrier. Anyway, drop that in first with the widest part facing the spring. Replace the spring. It will be difficult to compress, but you can use a length of wooden dowel as a guide. With the spring fully compressed into the magazine tube, carefully hold it with a gloved hand while you pinch the magazine spring retainer together sufficiently to replace it into the tube and hold the spring in place.

Don't get too complacent once the retainer is back in place & holding the spring, as it can fly off. While you get the barrel ready to put back on the frame, the barrel nut/magazine cap will hold the spring & retainer safely in place.

The barrel should slip esily into place with the action opened - the bolt to the rear. Carefully remove the magazine cap & use you gloved hand to prevent the spring from escaping. Gently put the chamber of the barrel into the receiver ahead of the bolt, and at the same time, the ring on the barrel fits over the magazine tube. With the barrel in place, tighten the barrel nut/magazine cap & there you have it.

If you have taken it apart further than this and are having trouble, get a pic of everything kinda-sorta in its proper place & I or another will try to talk you through re-assembly.

I checked my reference stuff, but found no model 120 diagram. SW

Falcon501 · Post by **Falcon501** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 12:51 pm

SW,

Thanks..I still can't get it back together. I'm supposed to trap shooting this weekend so I hope I can get it back together..I took a pic.
There was something in the mag tube and I tried to get it out now it is stuck in there in a weird position and I hope I didn't break anything.

Anyways here is the pic of what I've got.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Jason- idiot.

Falcon501 · Post by **Falcon501** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 3:00 pm

I think I really did break the gun this time. I was hitting the mag tube(ya ya i know terrible idea) on the floor to see if I could get the thing out of it and i bent the threading a little bit so now it wont screw into the gun.

Is there any hope for me? Thanks...

Jason--complete idiot.

Sure-Shot · Post by **Sure-Shot** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 3:45 pm

I think it is time to see a gunsmith, if it is bent he may need to straighten it to work right and as I look at your first picture again I think that looks like a bullet collet which is used in a plastic hammer to take apart live bullets for pistol or rifle. Hope I am wrong and have no idea why anyone would put such a thing in a shotgun magazine tube. If it is it should be three pieces held togeather by a rubber type band. Try putting a longer piece of dowel down the mag tube to push it out.

Falcon501 · Post by **Falcon501** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 3:55 pm

Sure-Shot,

What could I use to try to poke the thing out? I can't seem to find anything long enough...Thanks...

Jason--still an idiot.

Sure-Shot · Post by **Sure-Shot** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 11:32 pm

I would try something along the lines of a 1/2 inch dowell. with a flat end so it moves it evenly (anything close to the magazine size would be good. If it is a collet anything that wasn't pushing the who thing at the same time would bind up as the three pieces would move differently causing a bind. I would use light even taps and work it slowly towards the closest end. Looking at your other photos all the obvious pieces are there. Anyone else got any ideas? If it is a collet one side is flat and the other side is rounded. Obviously the flat side would be easier to press against. But again I can not imagine why anyone would put one in a shotgun magazine.

SteveW · Post by **SteveW** » Sat Mar 19, 2005 10:10 pm

When I viewed the part Sure Shot describes as a bullet puller collet, I thought it might be the magazine spring retainer. The one on my Rem 1100 looks very similar. The item still in the mag tube might be the follower. If so, it shouldn't be too tough to get out.

I agree with Sure Shot that it's time for a trip to a gun shop. Unless the mag tube is drastically bent, all is not lost. For something to drive the object from the tube, an old mop handle works well. I'd let someone at the gun shop look at it first, though. SW