Marlin .45/70?

[adaman04]

Hey fellow memebers, I am considering starting to shop for a marlin 1895 in .45/70 with the 18.5" barrel. Do any of you have experience with this rifle? It will be my first lever gun, since I have always been a bolt and semi-auto man. I'm kind of just looking for a rifle that will be small and easy to pack around, but still pack hella punch. Also, I would like a new one, but might consider a good used one. I live in Missouri, and there are quite a few gun shows that I go to, but I was wondering what a good price would be on a used one. Anyway, I would appreciate any information you have to share. Thanks, and good shooting.

Adaman

[Old Judge Creek]

The Marlin 1895 will get it done in Spades.

You might consider the Marlin 1895 Guide Gun. That's the most "packable" rifle Marlin makes in a 47-70. They even produce one in "Stainless Steel" (not entirely true because some of the internal parts are plated).

[adaman04]

That's what I'm looking in to. Thanks for your input, I appreciate it.

Adaman

[Ray P]

I love my Marlin 1895 Cowboy rifle in 45-70. The recoil is a bit stiffer than my 45-70 TC Contender with muzzlebrake in rifle format; so for a 45-70 with an 18 inch barrel, I'd recommend the Guide Gun in the ported version if you can find it.

But ported or not, the 1895 is a joy!

[adaman04]

Sweet, yeah I like the ported version a lot better. My Mossberg 835 is ported and the recoil is quite different from the non-ported versions.

[magnomark]

I"ve got an 1895 45-70 rifle with the long barrel because of the ranges where I hunt,also I like to get all of the velocity that I can from my handloads,i.e. more energy.Not ported.If I were to get a short 1895 It would DEFINATELY be ported-just to keep the muzzle down!

[adaman04]

Ditto magnomark. Thanks for the reply.

[AlleninAlaska]

Have owned several of them and have taken several head of big game with them. Good rifle for cast bullets loads.

[spunkyruss]

Does anybody know why Marlin eliminated the ports on the current-production Guide Guns?

I've been looking for a ported 1895GS for some time now and I haven't found one yet.

Thanks in advance.

[txpete]

KABOOM in a deer stand,those ports are loud!.they were worried about getting sued for hearing damage to hunters(no ear plugs).I heard that on the old marlin forum that marlin was going to start replacing ported barrels for $35.00.????
I have a ltd 45/70 and love it my bud has a guide gun and loves it ports and all but for real they are plenty loud.
pete

[spunkyruss]

txpete,

Thanks for the response. I have a 444P Outfitter with a ported barrel and it is LOUD, but I like the gun a lot. I think that the ported barrel helps with recoil, but I haven't done a side-by-side comparison. I hope that all of that extra noise is doing something.

It's really a shame that Marlin is forced to worry so much about litigation. I miss their message board. I never registered, but I managed to read many posts before their lawyers told them to shut it down.

[magnomark]

If you like "good ports" then send the gun to Magnaport inc.,they do an excellent job.

[sitkablacktail]

I have a Marlin 1895SS and I never had a hicup from it, best lever 45/70 on the market as far as I'm concerned.

[deerdown444]

I have a marlin 1895SS And its a great gun.But I do not care for the ones with ports they are to loud for me.They make my ears ring for hours afther I shoot them.But you would be hard pressed to find a 45/70 any better than the 1895.

D.D.444

[swill269]

adaman04,
45/70 is an excellent round. i have never had or shot a 45/70 marlin, but they are heavy loaded and empty. they become unballanced if the ammo tube is full.

if you are a bolt person check out "gibbs rifles" no.4 mkII lee enfields rebarreled in 45/70. they use navy arms barrels and it has a 5 rd removable mag. $385 list.

[txpete]

I have a ltd II marlin 45/70 with a 24 inch oct. barrel.I don't find it heavy or un ballanced but yet again I used to carry a m-60
as they say if ya can't handle the recoil or the weight stay home and knit.
pete

[swill269]

txpete,
i was just making a point of intrest on the balance point changing as ammo is added or removed.

i love the stainless GG. but i am older now and the weight takes it's toll on my arthritic shoulders. my gibbs is 8 3/4 pounds empty. scope and mount only weight 12 oz. and OA length is 42"

i love torque and recoil, bring it on! i just can't hold heavy rifles very long.

[txpete]

pretty beat up myself (100% va.disabled vet)I still take the marlin out for hunting.there is just something about being out with a lever rifles in the woods.oh yea gotta say the iron sight are getting fuzzy too.
pete

[gossman]

I broke down today and went to BiMart and plooped some overtime dough on a new 1895G in 45/70. It will be used in the coast range this fall for elk. I am thinking of maybe adding a low power scope ( 2 or 3 pwr maybe) for low light conditions but more than likely it will be open sights this year.

[swill269]

gossman,
i just finished reading the article in "american rifleman" on the new ss gg from marlin. 18" barrel & 7.5 pnds. i just have to have one. i will probably get rid of all the others. the article says they want $750 smr. will i really have to part with that much cash?

i have a spare 1x4x20 leoupold VX II that only weighs 9oz. i know right where it's going too. you might check out "midway" they have had big sales on their leoupold stock. i have seen this one on sale for about $50 less than cabela's reg price.

good shooting/hunting, give us a report on it asap.

steve

p.s. if you need a scope and can't fund it right now for this season, you can borrow my spare. just pay shipping and insurance. i am all set for hunting this year so you are more than welcome to use it.

[gossman]

Thanks swill, but I think that I will give it a try with open sights this year. I paid $399 for the blued version I got in the 1895G. It weighs in at 7 1/2 lbs and has the short barrel. A hunting buddy was looking at it today thinks looks like a shotgun out the end. I am hitting the range in the AM since I don't start work until the afternoon. I will give a range report on it maybe in the evening!

[magnomark]

Hey Gossman;I believe that I live near you-Oregon,I have a 1895 in the rifle,22"+.45-70,and use it for east side hunts in timber off horseback.I found that the ghost ring sights(if you like Peepsights)work well in the low light conditions,plus give a great field of view.Find them in the blue press from Dillon if you're interested. B)

[swill269]

gossman,
ok, but if you change your mind; i sure would be proud to have it set on top of the marlin.

good hunting,

[swill269]

gossman,

back when this topic was HOT i ran down to my wal-mart to price the 1895G ($409). last week (1/19) i went to wal-mart to buy groceries and a guide gun. when i got there the cuboard was bare. they were going to order it for me until the supplier told them they were out of all marlin 45/70's. the price had gone up to $495 too, if you could find one.

yesterday i went with a shooting bud of mine to a range/shop for some pistol practice. most all of the weapons in the shop are tactical types. i really had to look for hunting/lever rifles. in the back row, up high, behind the counter, we found a 1895G. i asked if the price tag was correct; they said "yes". i told them to take it off the shelf and get the box and i would pay for it after my range time. i got it for $430 w/tax (cheaper than wal-mart and he is a private dealer). my regular private dealer wanted $599.99 cash and $620 credit plus tax. he would have to order it too. i don't know where he would order from. if wal-mart can't get one, who could? i have this little silly grin on my face as i write.

now the hard part:
anyone, feel free to jump in. i know i recomended the 1x4x20 vxIII, but since this is such a short rifle, could we use "aimpoint" type "red dot" sights on this rifle? i do not ever expect to target game past 100yd and 50yd would be normal. i am thinking the agility of the carbine would be enhanced with a fast target acquisitioning sight system. i am considering the $90-$100 range offered in cabela's catalog.

am i way off here or could it happen?

thanks in advance,
steve

[gossman]

This last fall I purchased a new Marlin .45/70 gs model and I love it. $399 was the best price I found on sale. I didn't want to scope it but the one thing I hated was the cheesy sights so I bought the ghost ring set for it and it is now a real keeper. My buddies call it the "pumkin launcher" I have a friend that has the .450 Marlin with the ports, it is too loud to shoot hunting. The recoil is not that bad, especially with a good recoil pad on the butt.

swill, the aim point might not handle the recoil, maybe call them and ask. I had the same thought about those as a sight for my Marlin. But these ghost rings sure are great for 100 yards or so. I have had zero regret about my Marlin purchase.

[Tom_OH]

I initially didn't want to scope mine too - than I got a nice Simmons for litle money and the Leupold quick release. Fits great and even the eye release is good enough to shoot heavier loads:



Tom

[gossman]

Tom, great looking rifle, glad to see the lock attached. Doesn't hurt to keep it safety locked even in a safe ( unless you leave the key in it ). I still don't think I want to scope my Marlin. The ghost rings are good and the distances I shoot elk at in the coast range don't streach the round. Anything over 100 or so yards I pack my .338

[rugmar]

Here is a pic of my 1895M with Burris Scout scope. This setup works very well but does add a little weight out past the balance point. I actually like all leverguns better without scopes but my dang old eyes won't allow it.

[adaman04]

Sweet rifle Rugmar. I like that scout setup. That is almost exactly what I would like to have!

[rugmar]

Thank you very much! It works great and I like it so much that I'm in the process of obtaining a similar setup for my 1894ss in 44 mag. Only difference is I'm going with the Leupold Scout instead of the Burris this time. You can get it in silver and the Burris you can't. At least not that I have found.

Happy Shooting!