Marlin 795 "ease of use" modifications

[Mrs. Smith]

Good morning, all.

Now that the Standard COF has a legit dry fire component ( )  I find I have a hiccup with my Marlin 795 loaners.

These rifles are stupid accurate, BUT.... they cannot be dry fired without a magazine inserted.  For several reasons, this is less than ideal. First and foremost, safety, of course. Second, the auto bolt lock back feature when there's an empty mag in place, preventing smooth dry fire sequences. (addendum, I've searched the owner's manual - there's nothing to indicate these rifles cannot be safely dry fired)

I can certainly fill that magazine with snap caps, if needs be, but I heard a rumor there's a mod.

Disclaimer: I am not recommending you do these modifications yourself.  Proceed at your own risk, or have a qualified gunsmith do the work. 

I've already removed the "Nub of Satan" from both rifles' magazine wells, making for much easier magazine removal.

I've found the relatively straightforward mod that allows for a "slingshot" bolt release (like the bolt release on a modified 10/22) https://youtu.be/wKFa4YAOyTs

Both of these simple mods don't affect the rifle's performance, but they do make it more user friendly, particularly for stone-cold "I've never touched a rifle before" new shooters.

I found an OLD thread on this board ( https://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=4148.0 ) and in the eight pages of posts, I found this:

"I am happy that I was able to work around the mag/trigger disconnect though... it can now be dry-fired without sticking a "fake magazine" made from a wooden shim into the magazine well."

Sadly, I can find no mention of HOW this was accomplished.  The individual who posted it is no longer with the program.

I've searched the web. Nothing.

Does anyone know?

Thanks in advance,
Mrs. Smith

[Mrs. Smith]

For those unfamiliar with the Nub of Satan...

There's a raised area inside the mag well, on the left side (right when looking down.)  It's meant to keep the rifle from accepting high capacity aftermarket magazines. 

It makes the mag fit so tightly in the well that you practically have to yank the mag out to remove it, especially with the older version of the magazine.

Grinding it down fixes that problem. They won't QUITE drop free, but it's an easy two finger pull now, at least.

See attached.

[Mrs. Smith]

 

[Cleveland]

This may help

https://www.rimfirecentral.com/threads/how-i-removed-my-795s-mag-disconnect.460418/

[Eagle Keeper]

DISCLAIMER:  I don't have a Marlin 795 & I have never seen one!

If I did want to bypass a system like that I would take a spare mag , remove the guts & paint the part that sticks out of the gun bright orange.

On 10/22 mags for competition I have sanded them on a flat plate to remove lumps and bumps and make them drop free. Lumps & bumps in the mag well can also cause problems.

[Gus]

Great thread. I have a couple of these rifles and they're good shooters. Will get in there and see about these mods.

In Liberty,

Gus

[Mrs. Smith]

Hi gang!!!

My thanks to those who gave links and suggestions!

Ghostring is the magic man, however, and this video shows just how incredibly easy it is to make this modification.

Again, this mod eliminates the Magazine Bolt Disconnect, so that the rifle can be dry fired without having a magazine inserted.

https://youtu.be/rx1nnr3l42s

There's another modification that allows the bolt release to be operated exactly like a 10/22 with the auto bolt release, or "slingshot" upgrade.  Pull back, let go.

While the bolt release mechanism on a 795 is already simple and easy, I like the idea of making this mod because it makes the manual of arms for the 795 very much the same as the 10/22, which is nice when you're explaining function and use to a group of new shooters, and both models are on the line.

That modification requires a bit of mechanical aptitude, and the willingness to cut notches in a couple spots on the bolt mechanism.  Also, the most pertinent part of this video is sped up REALLY fast. I had to watch it a bunch of times with lots of pausing to get the info I needed.

But by golly it worked!  One down, one to go 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOvgR7xhAMs

[NJrefugee]

I have a cheek riser on my scoped 795. I had held it in place with vet wrap. This worked for a few years, but I found out at a recent shoot in TX that vet wrap tends to loosen when it gets (very) hot. I was thinking that it might be a good idea to stuff the hollow, synthetic stock with some kind of putty or polymer. The idea is that the filler would dry hard enough to take wood screws and hold them in place. I'd use the wood screws to permanently mount the riser. Has anyone ever looked into something like this?

[Mrs. Smith]

I have a cheek riser on my scoped 795. I had held it in place with vet wrap. This worked for a few years, but I found out at a recent shoot in TX that vet wrap tends to loosen when it gets (very) hot. I was thinking that it might be a good idea to stuff the hollow, synthetic stock with some kind of putty or polymer. The idea is that the filler would dry hard enough to take wood screws and hold them in place. I'd use the wood screws to permanently mount the riser. Has anyone ever looked into something like this?

Hey Dan!

I think that might work. You could also consider using carriage bolts with a (rounded) nut on the other end to secure it. Nylocks might be the right answer for that.

I get the nylon riser for AR platforms (the ones that don't Add to the width of the stock, and are laced on) and add about half an inch of foam padding underneath it before I lace it in place. The rear sling button keeps it from creeping forward, and it doesn't get slippery when you sweat on it.

[Mrs. Smith]

I accidentally quoted an above post to the thread (my own) and I can't delete it, so you just get to see this instead 

[Charles McKinley]

I suggest getting some replacement firing pins for your 795s. That was a common issue when the 795 was in heavy rotation and dry fired.

To slow thing down or speed things up on YouTube click the setting button and change the play back speed from .25 to 2x.  I watch almost everything on 2x and only go back to normal if I want to get information I missed.

[Mrs. Smith]

I suggest getting some replacement firing pins for your 795s. That was a common issue when the 795 was in heavy rotation and dry fired.

To slow thing down or speed things up on YouTube click the setting button and change the play back speed from .25 to 2x.  I watch almost everything on 2x and only go back to normal if I want to get information I missed.

Firing pins while we still can, yes? Good advice.

I never noticed that about YouTube. Thanks!!

[BD]

While we're on the subject, I have to mention the trigger spring kit from MCarbo.  Easy to install.  It's a big improvement.  The 795 shoots great.  The trigger was always gritty and shoddy feeling.  This kit makes a world of difference and a common dope like meself can install it quickly.

https://www.mcarbo.com/Marlin-795-Trigger-Spring-Kit-Marlin-70-Marlin-995-Trigger-Spring-Kit.aspx

[Mrs. Smith]

While we're on the subject, I have to mention the trigger spring kit from MCarbo.  Easy to install.  It's a big improvement.  The 795 shoots great.  The trigger was always gritty and shoddy feeling.  This kit makes a world of difference and a common dope like meself can install it quickly.

https://www.mcarbo.com/Marlin-795-Trigger-Spring-Kit-Marlin-70-Marlin-995-Trigger-Spring-Kit.aspx

I don't know how I didn't see this sooner, but this is definitely a worthy upgrade!  It brings the trigger pull down to about 3.5 pounds.  You do sacrifice a crisp reset, however. It's much more subtle, but once you learn it, it's not a big deal. Also, said kit comes in under $40.

[MattNH]

... You do sacrifice a crisp reset, however. It's much more subtle, but once you learn it, it's not a big deal...

Thank you saying something about the reset, I did the spring kit, but didn't shoot, my middle kid used it.  I thought she broke it. She shot the score, so i guess it's her rifle now anyway.

MattNH