My glenfield m20/marlin 25 22 rifle has a issue

RogueRiver · Jun 15, 2014

I have had a glenfield model 20(marlin 25) bolt action w/ 7 rd clip. I have had it since I was 13yrs old(40 now) and bought it used, I have noticed occasionally I get blowby gas and powder traveling back thru the action coming at my face. I was wondering if the headspacing has gone out on my 22 or if there is some other problem.

truck driver · Jun 15, 2014

Is the firing pin piercing the shell?

cloverleaf · Jun 15, 2014

Hmmm- no real idea...but having had a couple of those rifles, I will just throw out a couple thoughts. I believe that the barrels on those are pressed into the receiver, no bolts no set screws so seems unlikely but not impossible that the barrel has come loose. Good rifles they are but necessarily precision pieces of work they might not always be. Could some build up on the bolt face, extractors or barrel butt cause the action to not close like it should but still fire? Doubt it but.... Only other thought is that some rimfire ammo is just more dirty than others. Are you getting split cases, weird noise upon firing or other signs that a case is actually not expanding properly when fired? Makes me wonder....burr in the chamber? try switching ammo. Any more, I wouldn't be surprised if the ammo was not the quality it should be. CL

RogueRiver · Jul 20, 2014

Barrel to action is tight, happens with any make of ammo- federal, winchester, or remington. I'm wondering if its the bolt. Guess if it comes down to it I still have my rem. 513 matchmaster, with all kind of us property stampings on it. and a reason to start looking for a new 22.

Oldtrader3 · Jul 20, 2014

You might need a new bolt recoil spring?

cloverleaf · Jul 20, 2014

OT3 has thought there. In all the years I owned one I never took the bolt all the way apart. Have you had it to smithy? Not that you can't fix it yourself, but they see more weird things. Hope you get it working. CL

PJGunner · Jul 21, 2014

Many long years ago I bought a Colt "Colteer" .22 single shot just because I liked the look and feel of that rifle. I'm thinking it was the late 50's. Been a while. Just about every other shot at the rfange I'd get a puff of gas in my face. Took it back to my LGS which was also my gunsmitjh and he determined it had a headspace problem and this was a brand new rifle. Not saying the rifle in question has a headspace problem but I'd sure give ot a check just to be sure.
Paul B.

ScreaminEagle · Jul 21, 2014

Take at look at the bolt. I'm betting there is a place where the back of the bolt handle rides against the action when it is closed? This is how they used to headspace 22's back in the day. This area wears down over time and you lose your headspace. I've fixed half a dozen 22's with this problem. A bead of weld and CAREFUL file work will restore your headspace.