Removing the block on my Martini Cadet

[pertnear]

I like single shots! I bought my first Martini Cadet that has been customized into a .256 Win Mag. I'm so very pleased at how accurate & pleasant it is to shoot this little rifle! But I have a problem. I've been cleaning it from the muzzle because I can't get the breech block to drop out. My action has a hole at the very back so once the block is out you can get a cleaning rod in from the rear. Not to mention it'd be nice to give the inside "works" a good cleaning. The procedure I've been following is to first push the safety all the way out, then push the front hinge pin all the way out. Now with the action fully opened I'm supposed to be able to pull the trigger guard/lever in an arc down & to the rear. I tried doing this with considerable pressure & it is so tight I'm worried about damaging something. All the videos I've seen shows the block pretty much almost falling out once the hinge pin is removed. Is there something I'm missing?

 

[msalm]

Maybe try tapping down from the top in front on top of the breech block. It certainly should pivot right out. A Martini Cadet was the 3rd rifle I ever rebarreled over 20 years ago. Still have that little 17 Ackley Bee!

Thinking about it again, with the lever down, pull down on the trigger guard.

 

[JohnKielly]

That's what needs to be done - normally.

(1) Check that when you drop the lever, the extractor clears the back of the barrel, though that wouldn't happen unless it's been bent or has something under the bottom arm.
(2) Try rinsing the action out with a propelled cleaner or penetrant. If it hasn't been stripped in a while, crud might have glued it in.

Remember, the block will swing back towards the butt.