RJH

well I'm selling two pistols and I plan on getting a marlin 1895. Question is should I go blued/stainless 18.5/22 inch barrel Ported or non-ported. The gun will be used for hunting deer and pig. thanks for opinions

BareBack Jack

I had the Guide gun in 450 marlin after 3 boxes I sold it,I kept smaking my nose with my thumb every time I shot it,loud also.I have a uncle that has the 45-70 Guide gun and loves it,he's killed a few deer and a elk with his.

BUT,I do like the longer barrel version,with curved stock,instead of straight.I think that would be a dandy deer,pig(never hunted,have shot a few butcher hogs with my 22 mag),bear,elk gun out to 150-200 yds.

redsox3624

I would go with teh model 1895G the guide gun. it is there most popular selling. the barrel is short amd it only weighs 7 pounds. plus it is in 45-70 government. you can find that ammo anywhere. good luck hunitng




Save a tree, wip your butt with a Liberal.

James B

I would go with the 1895 Blue with the longer barrel. Not the cowboy but the next one down. I think they have a 22 inch barrel. Whatever they are I have had three of them. I can't work the Marlin long actions anymore with my bum arm. I can work the Browning but they quit the 45-70 I think.

halcon

Winchester makes the 1886 in 45-70 which is like the 1886 browning made . quite a bit more than the guide gun though .

Virginia7

I'd take the standard 1895 model with 22" barrel, and pistol grip stock. Then, I'd have the barrel cut/shortened to 20", recrowned, and remount the front sight. Install a Williams Fool-Proof peep sight, or a Weaver 1-3x scope, and you're ready!
If you want to stay with open sights, Williams makes a replacement rear sight, and could use the shallow V blade. Install white bead on front. Very fast combo.

Link: http://www.williamsgunsight.com/

PABigBore

I personally like the 18.5" better, it just feels more balanced. I don't think Marlin ports the barrels on these rifles anymore... but it doesn't matter especially if youre just shooting the factory stuff. I shot a box of the remingtons in just a light sweat-shirt once and wouldnt flinch at the thought of doing it again. I have the blued barrel, but that stainless sure does look sharp. i guess just go to the gun shop and hold a few, pick what you like best. Either way i promise you will love the thing.

SD Shooter

RJH,

I have a couple of Marlin Guide Guns in 45-70. I used one on a bear hunt in Saskatchewan in 2003. Very effective. I would suggest that you be sure to NOT buy a ported barrel since they are VERY loud. Also, I can't tell where you are located, but if you are using it in a humid environment, the stainless would be lots better; less concern about daily care. Also, Garrecht loads ammo for the 45-70 that is simply dynamite - very hot loads with hardcast bullets. These would only be needed if you decide to take on a bear up close and personal. I have killed two whitetails and three elk with my guide gun, just using Remington ammo.

One additional point about the Marlin vs. the Winchester, if you mount a scope on the rifle, the Marlin is a side eject and the Winchester is a top eject. With the Winchester, you have to use a side mount for the scope which really can be a hassle.

The Marlin Guide Gun is a terrific tool.

Merry Christmas,

SD Shooter

Josh Sorensen

I recently traded a 1911 for a NIB stainless Guide gun. I have been extremely impressed with this rifle. I put a xs scout mount, and xs ghost ring sites, a 2.5x Leupold IER scout scope with heavy german post reticle, wild west guns oversized lever loop, ejector, and magazine follower.......I now have the ultimate big/dangerous game close range, 200yrs or less, rifle. I have been reloading the remington 405gr bullets at 1700-1800fps. I will switch to kodiak bullets 405gr premium bullets for the big bears. It will do sub 2" groups at 100 yards with the ghost rign sights and 1-1.25" groups with the scout scope. I went with stainless due to the vast amounts of rain that we get here in parts of alaska. I would stick with the 45/70 over the 450 because you can easily load from fairly low powered black powder level loads to loads that will easily keep up with the hottest 450 marlin loads. My guide gun is ported but I haven't noticed that it is that much louder than my other rifles. I like the way the 18.5" GG handles better than the 22" pistol grip version.

Carpmaster

Id get the 18.5" blued barrel with the 45-70!!!