Barrel replacement .

[Slamfire]

If,,,,, one was to buy a older marlin ,,say a,93 with a " BLACK POWDER ONLY" barrel, ( bad ,shot out,no good ) and you replaced it with a new "SMOKELESS" BARREL would the action& breech be strong enough to handle the smokeless loads?





Hootmix.

[The Pathfinder]

Now that is an interesting question. I had a friend who had the smokeless 30-30 barrel taken off his 1893 and replaced with a black powder 38-55 barrel and it had no problems. but I haven't heard of one going the other way. I don't imagine their would be at the pressure range we work with, but have no idea what kind of loads you are planning on using. The Marlin 1893 action is a strong one, heck it was still going strong as the 36, it would depend, I guess, on just what vintage Marlin you've got.

[Slamfire]

 Hey, Pathfinder; I don't have one yet,,,but ! I use to think a marlin wasn't "JOHN WAYNE " looking,,,and marlins were (to me) sugly,,( short for so ugly). However,,,,,, I know think the 1893's (marlin) are rather handsome,. The win. 92's  action is the est looking of all levers. But my thinking is ,if the price is right I could do a new barrel or maybe have it relined,, all depends on said question, will the action be strong enough? OH, looking for a 32/40,,target shooting,, don't do wall hangers. Thanks for reply.





  Hootmix.

[Blair]

If you have a bad barrel, one that wont or can't be clean up... why not consider a sleeve in the caliber cartridge appropriate for the original barrel markings? This will help keep the proper model firearm in the proper caliber, with original markings.
Just a thought?
My best,
Blair

[Slamfire]

 Hey Blair,,i'v had the same thought,,but the same question's,,,if the orgional barrel is ( was) for BP , and I sleeve it , will the new sleeve be safe for smokless ammo??? I really would prefer to keep it ,,honest as possible. Now it don't mean I won't shoot BP,,
,,,I jus like smookless.  If you here anything else just holler,,.Thanks.






Hootmix.

[Blair]

The barrel with sleeve should be well within safe smokeless limits for that caliber.
As to the rest of the gun, well that will just have to be your call.
My best,
Blair

[Slamfire]

Hey ,Blair,,,from what I understand in the early models the metals were softer,,but in what years they ( gun mfgs) started to use better grades of metals I'm not sure maybe around 1893-94 ?? A new sleeve job would be great with me.

                                         Thanks.






  Hootmix.

[Major 2]

Warning , lean back out of drool range of your keyboard  

here is some 93 eye candy

[Blair]

Slamfire,

The quality of the steel used in the '93 Marlin is generally not an issue. Unless, perhaps, the firearm has been in a fire.
I was referring primarily to the overall condition of the rest of the firearm.
My best,
Blair

M2, that is a nice piece!

[Slamfire]

cldjhne,c OOOOOPPS! Dang,,M2, my upper store boughts fell out & hit the key board,,ah,,,you do shoot that piece with white gloves on. Realy nice,,thank you.    Hey Blail ,,yea every thing else being good to go ,,I think w/ a new sleeve the rest would be more than strong enough. I did look at a 1881 with a big chip( chunk) gone from the forearm back by the breech. You could see the spring in the mag.,tube ,looked like a round had went off in the mag.,tube,,split it open & blowed out a piece of the forearm ."PASSED"on it.

   Anyway,,,Thanks .




  Hootmix.

[Litl Red]

Holy mackerel !  that is one beautiful rifle.

Standard advice from anyone afraid of todays courts would be the BLACK POWDER ONLY warning is for the entire rifle, not just the barrel.   So how do you come up with a way to SHOOT THAT BEAUTY safely?

I'd rebarrel it right off if it was going to be fed smokeless loads.  That way you could replace the original barrel if you ever got tired of shooting the sucker and wanted to sell it.   

Then I'd only shoot my own reloads in it.   But not before having the headspace very accurately measured, something that any reputable gunsmith would do when creating that headspace while doing the rebarrel job.  Then I'd load some cartridges with AA5744 from it's starting load recipes.   It was originated as a powder created to be used in the black powder cartridges that were being used with smokeless.  It was supposed to be a safer powder to use than most smokeless powders.  Safer if you followed their relatively data, which was a whole lot more available over the range of powders being used. 

But if I couldn't find any 5744, any factory recipe that was published for your cartridge would have a STARTING LOAD.   Start with that and if it worked for what you wanted to do, then keep the original headspace measurement in mind.  Check it after awhile.  Go from there. 

Starting loads produce pressures that are significantly less than "Don't exceed" loads.  For most older cartridges, the starting load pressures are significantly less than BP pressures.   They are different pressure curves of course.  So keep that in mind when choosing what powder you use for this great adventure, and don't forget it when cogitating over increasing the charge. 

I've got a couple of old Marlins that were refurbished to be shooters.  One was relined.   One got a brand spanking new takeoff barrel.   One still has it's original rifling.    All of them shoot like gangbusters and are magic.  It's the kind of magic that never fails to make you day brighter and your outlook rosy.    I've never found the need nor desire to shoot loads that produce more velocity than the start loads.   BTW, the start loads in most cases give higher velocity than those old beauties spit out when they first made noise, with their first cartridges.  Which were black powder shells.   

Whomever owns that rifle is one lucky fellow. 

[Major 2]

Gents.... I offered it as EYE CANDY only...I did not mean to imply it was mine ...

It is presently on Gun Broker at a whopping  $14,000.00 ( it doesn't say but general opinion is it a fine Turnbull restoration )

here is another @ $6000.00 ( this is a fine survivor and what I'd expect a mint original to be )
MARLIN MODEL 94 38-40 in high condition.

disclaimer: neither are mine , nor even in my reach    
not my intention to high-jack the thread, just offering a treat  

[Slamfire]

 Not a problem for me,,,,saw it same place you did,,shoot I'd look at it again ,,if some one post it.( lol). I'v called about 3, dif., 1893's this week ( while the little wife was gone) ,,,missed all 3. Sometime's I think the hunt ,,,,,is just plain fun.







  Hootmix.

[Fox Creek Kid]

If,,,,, one was to buy a older marlin ,,say a,93 with a " BLACK POWDER ONLY" barrel, ( bad ,shot out,no good ) and you replaced it with a new "SMOKELESS" BARREL would the action& breech be strong enough to handle the smokeless loads?





Hootmix.

An adamant NO. There is more to being able to shoot smokeless than just the barrel. The frame needs to be up to spec as well or else it will at the least stretch and at the worst.................    As well, the bolt. If you want to shoot smokeless then just buy a gun that was made for it. Word to the wise.

[Slamfire]

 Hey ,,Fox  ,,,I believe your "wise words",,should be heeded!!!






  Thanks..Hootmix.