Marauder magazine insertion problem - Solved!

tiptop

Member
Nov 12, 2016
135
5
OH
Ever since I picked up a used gen 1 Mrod, magazines are hard to insert into the breech. When cocked, the tip of the pellet probe sticks out about 1mm from the breech block and prevents the mag from sliding in, even with pressure on the mag. What I have to do is partially insert the mag, pull hard back on the bolt with my right hand, reach my left hand under the gun and push the mag in while holding the bolt back. It's pretty awkward. Once it's in everything is fine, the mag operates properly. The space that the mag fits it seems just right. Is this normal? Would it be OK to remove .5mm from the tip of the probe?
 
I have two gen 1 guns 177 and 22 and there are no issues that you describe with mine. Seems like a bolt issue. 

Now the armada 25 does do exactly what you describe and I have read where some owners have chged there bolt to gen 1 bolts, they must be slightly shorter, to eliminate that issue. I think a few have trimmed their bolt as well but this was not an issue with early gen 1 guns.

Your solution may be ok but someone on this forum may have your answer.
 
Problem solved! Digging further online someone said to do this:
1. Remove stock
2. Cock gun and flip over so trigger is up
3. While pulling back bolt as far as it will go and holding it there, loosen the 3 screws that hold the trigger group to the tube and push the trigger group rearward as far as it will go and retighten screws.

I did this and it didn't seem like the trigger group moved but when reassembled it obviously did just slightly, enough that the pellet probe isn't protruding into the mag slot anymore and the mag slides in easily now. I've read that some of the newer gen 2 .25 Mrods and another Benjamin model have this problem new out of the box. I wonder if this same fix will work on those? If not, I don't think it would hurt to slightly trim the end of the probe - but don't take my word for it, this is the internet after all!
 
My best guess is that the probe was sticking out about .030" (.75mm). I didn't pull out the trigger group screws to see how large the holes are but they had to be about .030" oversize because the tip of the probe is now perfectly flush with the side of the mag slot in the receiver. It's surprising to me that the holes would have that much slop so that slight movement forward causes a significant problem. Every time the gun is cocked, the hammer spring puts a fair amount of forward tension on the trigger group so we'll see if it shifts forward again with use.
 
Remove trigger lower assemble.
Check thar the allen on the bolt is tight.

That allen sets the hammer and should aftet engaged and be free of tension and be rear ward of the mag area.

Also check the mag center allen for tightness. If the allen has backed out or is not correct the rear mag Plate can contact the probe. But the probe should not be that close to the rear mag cover.

Is the mag hard to place in the gun?
 
Again check the allen that engages the hammer for tightness.

By design the probe sold be up in the probe reacted area. Had several Marauder guns and worked them with after market and self mods. Never had a problem on the mag incert due to the probe.

If the barrel is too far back on it's seating the mag is hard to incert. I have even done the set back probe as the Flex with no issues of loading due to probe.

Probe length on retraction is set by the hammer and the lock up divice. Same as a FLEX.

IF the lower trigger is removed and not set forward of the hammer allen the gun will not go into battery.

Once the gun is in battery the probe should clear the mag area.

Used gun is hard to produce a fix. Again the bolt allen sets the hammer and after that the probe should clear the mag. Not like a bolt that has a rearward lock to hold the probe.

That allen should after setting the hammer no matter the hammer or striker setting hold the probe be hide the mag. JMO

The trigger lower trigger attachments should not have the play to allow this to happen being the hammer lock is on this part.

Possibly the hammer lock on the trigger is worn or damaged is the only thing that I can think off that would cause this. This has been a problem now that I think of it.

If the sear is bad it would allow for the hammer to be set more forward causing the probe to not be in it's proper position.
 
The Mrod .177 is shooting great Brian although it hasn't been getting equal time since I received my Streamline. I installed a TSS and am getting a crazy number of good shots with it. I considered putting a regulator in it but at the distances I shoot and the number of shots I'm already getting, it just didn't seem to be necessary.
 
Hmmm.. That's weird, I have a gen 2 Armada .25 with no issues out the box. Still stock mode. Got a friend that liked mine and ended up getting one himself, with the insertion problems mentioned above. We called Crosman and they told us to send it in. If only I logged in sooner to try this fix... Nonetheless, I'm glad mine doesn't exhibit this problem. But still makes me wonder if it's a known issue or lack of QC.