Marlin Firearms Collectors Association

I took the cap screw out and the notch is toward the right side of the firearm.

I have a Marlin 1881 .45-70. The only way you can load a round is to have the lever part way open. Is this normal?

From what I have read and been told by the local gunsmith you do not want to shoot jacketed bullets or smokeless powder in these old guns. The barrel steel is much softer than the steel in modern barrels. He recomends shooting lead bullets and black powder or black powder substitute only. The design...