Marlin 1895 Guide Gun

Nathan123 · 02-02-2008, 03:27 AM

Like the title says, i am looking for your thoughts and opinions on a Marlin 1895 Guide Gun in .45-70

I have been looking at them with great interest lateley and wondered what you all thought about them, your past expereiences, the good things you found with them aswell as the bad. I know that with that tiny little barrel that it will kick like a wounded buffalo, but i was thinking that it would make a great little vehicle/scrub rifle.

nathangdad · 02-02-2008, 06:28 AM

One: This is another "rock solid" Marlin offering along the toughness and durability lines of the new German main battle tank. It is, like other Marlin lever actions, top quality in engineering, metallurgy, and quality control.

Two: This is a lot of cartridge for a smaller
gun. You are buying into a great (I do mean great) deal of recoil and muzzle blast. From what I have seen at a firing range this is absolutely not the gun if you want to enjoy
the benefits of extended practice sessions.

So, it is what it says it is and that is a guide gun. If you get in trouble from charging
game and need a quick short range shot or if a fast follow-up shot is needed to put down potentially dangerous or escaping larger game this a gun truly designed for you. I would not consider it a main hunting rifle for larger, dangerous game.

I would suggest you either fire the gun or witness others firing it before making a purchase decision. Then your decision will be much more informed than that which comes from shooting magazines where, it seems to me, bone crunching recoil, ear concussing muzzle blast, and/or flinch either do not or cannot exist.

samuel · 02-02-2008, 08:04 AM

They are a no frills self defence gun for dangerous game.They are not a hunting rifle for long range.(in this case beyond 50yds)There are several rifles that make good vehickle and brush guns and would serve you better.Besides,unless you are going to carry it loaded,you will find it hard to jump out of a vehickle load,and go after something.A mag fed works better. sam.

Pumpkinheaver · 02-02-2008, 10:23 AM

I would not hesitate to shoot out to 150 yards with my guidegun. It has been nothing but absolutly reliable and trouble free for the last 7 or 8 years. The 45-70 is very versitile. Load it hot or load it down. Recoil is anything from brutal to virtually non existant. Buy one you'll love it.

Here's mine. It's a first generation with the ported barrell. Current versions are not ported. I also have a Lyman 66 sight mount on the left side of the reciever. Good to have a good backup sighting system.

Mooseman684 · 02-02-2008, 01:09 PM

I have the 45-70 model 1895 Marlin especially for thick brush going after Moose and Bear where a Long scoped rifle would be hard to weild...It does Not have a Massive recoil , it is more of a push even with 405 gr. Flatnose bullets. Reliable feeding, 100 + yards range, a very good choice in my opinion.
Rich

Sidekick2012 · 11-05-2009, 05:14 PM

I had a Guide gun and gave it to my son, then bought a trap door, and a Navy arms Enfield, all 45/70,s I have since bought another Guide, and wouldn't be without one. I cast bullets, and shoot 300gr Horniday HPs for hunting, with a showing of 2,000 fps and don't feel the kick in the GG, but sure do in the Enfield. Just use the trapdoor for playing with cast .
Have a 1.5 to 5 Leopold on the GG LOVE IT.

ALR · 11-05-2009, 05:56 PM

I too have the 1895 GG cannon.
I have used for the last 2 seasons.
The bucks in this area must have heard of the reputation of the 1895.
They have cleared out of the area and have avoided getting into range of it.
Word may have gotten out after I had been spied upon by the locals while practicing at an undisclosed location.
I think I may have seen a momentary flash of a whitetail retreating, possibly a probationary buck, forced by the senior ungulates to scout out my location as I stealthily hide out in various known locations.
Perhaps this year I shall put up a decoy hunter in a known blind and move 25 yards down wind to throw off the smart ones.
Maybe use a recording of sniffing, snoring, and flatulence to authenticate the decoy.
Anyway, YES, an excellent hunting arm for anything on this continent, and others!

texnmidwest · 11-05-2009, 06:01 PM

As stated above, the Marlin is a very well made firearm. The GG is fast to handle and sights are fast as well.

Recoil is a matter of what is comfortable for you. One person's misery is another person's pittance.

G. Green · 11-05-2009, 08:01 PM

That GG is a great gun. I know most here are handloaders but if you haven't tried the Hornady 325 gr .45/70 Leverevolutions they are a pretty sweet round, lotta thump to'em, which I kinda like. I'm not a big fan of scopes on lever guns, BUT since I turned 50 I contracted fuzzy sight syndrome and am considering it. I think that 1.5-5 would be just right.

FortyXDM · 11-05-2009, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G. Green

That GG is a great gun. I know most here are handloaders but if you haven't tried the Hornady 325 gr .45/70 Leverevolutions they are a pretty sweet round, lotta thump to'em, which I kinda like. I'm not a big fan of scopes on lever guns, BUT since I turned 50 I contracted fuzzy sight syndrome and am considering it. I think that 1.5-5 would be just right.

GGreen - For whatever it is worth my brother has a leupold 1.5 x 5 on his browning .308 lever gun. He absolutely loves it and wouldn't use anything else. Been on the rifle for ? years and before that was the older leupold 1.5 x 4.

G. Green · 11-05-2009, 09:17 PM

It's worth a lot. I'll be checking it out this weekend. Thx.

GG

big shrek · 11-06-2009, 02:11 AM

Man, if yer gonna do it, get the Marlin 1895-SBL...the Ghost Ring sights & recoil pad make it more than manageable

I'm contemplating a tang sight for mine...that way I can figure out the mortar angle for LONG range shooting without having to do trigonometry in my head.

deadzero · 11-06-2009, 05:10 AM

The Marlin 1895 Guide gun, or my favorite, the 1895 Cowboy gun both in 45/70 have long been some of my favorites. I don't own one yet but have known many, many people that have. they are very flexable on ammo loadings. from casual plinking ammo using lighter bullets and lower powder charges with cast bullets to the heavyweight jacketed cannon loads. these guns are so strong, load books give special seperate load data just for this rifle (if you choose to use these higher loadings). many I've talked to over the years have said on those tables there is no need to approach max charges, the gun gets a bit uncomfortable to shoot before that point.

someday I'm going to have that 9 shot cowboy gun. I think with 9 shots of 45/70 ammo your pretty safe from about anything within a 100 yds.

ArkansasHunter · 11-06-2009, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALR

I too have the 1895 GG cannon.
I have used for the last 2 seasons.
The bucks in this area must have heard of the reputation of the 1895.
They have cleared out of the area and have avoided getting into range of it.
Word may have gotten out after I had been spied upon by the locals while practicing at an undisclosed location.
I think I may have seen a momentary flash of a whitetail retreating, possibly a probationary buck, forced by the senior ungulates to scout out my location as I stealthily hide out in various known locations.
Perhaps this year I shall put up a decoy hunter in a known blind and move 25 yards down wind to throw off the smart ones.
Maybe use a recording of sniffing, snoring, and flatulence to authenticate the decoy.
Anyway, YES, an excellent hunting arm for anything on this continent, and others!

LOL !!! Welp I really don't think your problem is the gun your useing...LOL

May be you LOL You should invest in a spray bottle of scent free LOL !!!

Rambo · 11-06-2009, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nathan123

Like the title says, i am looking for your thoughts and opinions on a Marlin 1895 Guide Gun in .45-70

I have been looking at them with great interest lateley and wondered what you all thought about them, your past expereiences, the good things you found with them aswell as the bad. I know that with that tiny little barrel that it will kick like a wounded buffalo, but i was thinking that it would make a great little vehicle/scrub rifle.

Did you get one? Here's mine, after my wife shot a bear with it. It's a .450 Marlin cal. though. The .450 will punish you sighting it in but once it's sighted in, just pick it up and shoot. It has the short barrel and ported. I would prefer just 4 more inches of barrel, unported. Just me.

Pumpkinheaver · 11-07-2009, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArkansasHunter

LOL !!! Welp I really don't think your problem is the gun your useing...LOL

May be you LOL You should invest in a spray bottle of scent free LOL !!!

Or quit eating chili the night before opening day!!!

big shrek · 11-08-2009, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pumpkinheaver

Or quit eating chili the night before opening day!!!

No Pork & Beans, either

ALR · 11-08-2009, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by big shrek

No Pork & Beans, either

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pumpkinheaver

Or quit eating chili the night before opening day!!!

But the Chili and Pork&Beans warm me twice, when I eat em, and later when Im out on the stand. LOL!

02-02-2008, 03:27 AM	#1
Nathan123 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Newcastle, N.S.W, Australia Posts: 358	Marlin 1895 Guide Gun Like the title says, i am looking for your thoughts and opinions on a Marlin 1895 Guide Gun in .45-70 I have been looking at them with great interest lateley and wondered what you all thought about them, your past expereiences, the good things you found with them aswell as the bad. I know that with that tiny little barrel that it will kick like a wounded buffalo, but i was thinking that it would make a great little vehicle/scrub rifle.

02-02-2008, 06:28 AM	#2
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 5,171	Two viewpoints One: This is another "rock solid" Marlin offering along the toughness and durability lines of the new German main battle tank. It is, like other Marlin lever actions, top quality in engineering, metallurgy, and quality control. Two: This is a lot of cartridge for a smaller gun. You are buying into a great (I do mean great) deal of recoil and muzzle blast. From what I have seen at a firing range this is absolutely not the gun if you want to enjoy the benefits of extended practice sessions. So, it is what it says it is and that is a guide gun. If you get in trouble from charging game and need a quick short range shot or if a fast follow-up shot is needed to put down potentially dangerous or escaping larger game this a gun truly designed for you. I would not consider it a main hunting rifle for larger, dangerous game. I would suggest you either fire the gun or witness others firing it before making a purchase decision. Then your decision will be much more informed than that which comes from shooting magazines where, it seems to me, bone crunching recoil, ear concussing muzzle blast, and/or flinch either do not or cannot exist.

02-02-2008, 10:23 AM	#4
Pumpkinheaver Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,733	I would not hesitate to shoot out to 150 yards with my guidegun. It has been nothing but absolutly reliable and trouble free for the last 7 or 8 years. The 45-70 is very versitile. Load it hot or load it down. Recoil is anything from brutal to virtually non existant. Buy one you'll love it. Here's mine. It's a first generation with the ported barrell. Current versions are not ported. I also have a Lyman 66 sight mount on the left side of the reciever. Good to have a good backup sighting system. __________________ Just because your paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you!

02-02-2008, 01:09 PM	#5
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness. Unit 13 Posts: 11,310 Images: 2	I have the 45-70 model 1895 Marlin especially for thick brush going after Moose and Bear where a Long scoped rifle would be hard to weild...It does Not have a Massive recoil , it is more of a push even with 405 gr. Flatnose bullets. Reliable feeding, 100 + yards range, a very good choice in my opinion. Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

11-05-2009, 05:14 PM	#6
Sidekick2012 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 1	Marlin Guide Gun I had a Guide gun and gave it to my son, then bought a trap door, and a Navy arms Enfield, all 45/70,s I have since bought another Guide, and wouldn't be without one. I cast bullets, and shoot 300gr Horniday HPs for hunting, with a showing of 2,000 fps and don't feel the kick in the GG, but sure do in the Enfield. Just use the trapdoor for playing with cast . Have a 1.5 to 5 Leopold on the GG LOVE IT.

02-02-2008, 08:04 AM	#3
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 10,914	They are a no frills self defence gun for dangerous game.They are not a hunting rifle for long range.(in this case beyond 50yds)There are several rifles that make good vehickle and brush guns and would serve you better.Besides,unless you are going to carry it loaded,you will find it hard to jump out of a vehickle load,and go after something.A mag fed works better. sam.

11-05-2009, 05:56 PM	#7
ALR STAIN'ALIVE,STAIN'ALIVE! Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: St Charles MO Posts: 902	I too have the 1895 GG cannon. I have used for the last 2 seasons. The bucks in this area must have heard of the reputation of the 1895. They have cleared out of the area and have avoided getting into range of it. Word may have gotten out after I had been spied upon by the locals while practicing at an undisclosed location. I think I may have seen a momentary flash of a whitetail retreating, possibly a probationary buck, forced by the senior ungulates to scout out my location as I stealthily hide out in various known locations. Perhaps this year I shall put up a decoy hunter in a known blind and move 25 yards down wind to throw off the smart ones. Maybe use a recording of sniffing, snoring, and flatulence to authenticate the decoy. Anyway, YES, an excellent hunting arm for anything on this continent, and others! __________________ AGENT ORANGE The last ghost of Vietnam ATF- Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, where are the chips?

11-05-2009, 06:01 PM	#8
texnmidwest Some People's kids.... Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: South east Wisconsin Posts: 6,978	As stated above, the Marlin is a very well made firearm. The GG is fast to handle and sights are fast as well. Recoil is a matter of what is comfortable for you. One person's misery is another person's pittance. __________________ never pass up a bathroom, never waste a ** , and never trust a fart.

11-05-2009, 08:01 PM	#9
G. Green Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: NE OK Posts: 464	That GG is a great gun. I know most here are handloaders but if you haven't tried the Hornady 325 gr .45/70 Leverevolutions they are a pretty sweet round, lotta thump to'em, which I kinda like. I'm not a big fan of scopes on lever guns, BUT since I turned 50 I contracted fuzzy sight syndrome and am considering it. I think that 1.5-5 would be just right.

11-05-2009, 09:17 PM	#11
G. Green Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: NE OK Posts: 464	It's worth a lot. I'll be checking it out this weekend. Thx. GG

11-06-2009, 02:11 AM	#12
big shrek Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Northwest, FL Posts: 3,128 Images: 56	Man, if yer gonna do it, get the Marlin 1895-SBL...the Ghost Ring sights & recoil pad make it more than manageable I'm contemplating a tang sight for mine...that way I can figure out the mortar angle for LONG range shooting without having to do trigonometry in my head. __________________ In every Unit...there is a Scrounger...

11-06-2009, 05:10 AM	#13
deadzero Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: deep in the swamps SC Posts: 1,203	The Marlin 1895 Guide gun, or my favorite, the 1895 Cowboy gun both in 45/70 have long been some of my favorites. I don't own one yet but have known many, many people that have. they are very flexable on ammo loadings. from casual plinking ammo using lighter bullets and lower powder charges with cast bullets to the heavyweight jacketed cannon loads. these guns are so strong, load books give special seperate load data just for this rifle (if you choose to use these higher loadings). many I've talked to over the years have said on those tables there is no need to approach max charges, the gun gets a bit uncomfortable to shoot before that point. someday I'm going to have that 9 shot cowboy gun. I think with 9 shots of 45/70 ammo your pretty safe from about anything within a 100 yds. __________________ If I need more than 1 shot, I need more practice. Last edited by deadzero; 11-06-2009 at 05:12 AM.