Click vs. Bang: How to Diagnose a Marlin Rifle Misfire
Marlins may be a perfect expression of the lever action rifle, but like any other machines made by man, they are subject to imperfection. Failures can originate at the factory--which used to happen with much less frequency--or as the result of wear, or in some cases, as a direct consequence of poorly informed tinkering. I have occasionally come across a Marlin rifle that just goes “click” when I pull the trigger on a loaded round. I gather from forum threads online that other