AethelstanAegen
Member
Hey gents,
I recently decided to not buy an AK model rifle and so I've freed up some gun budget money. So some of that is going to reloading equipment and I've been thinking about buying a .45/70 chambered rifle for a while so it seems like a good time to go for it. While a Winchester 1886 and a Springfield Trapdoor are on my wish list, they're not in the budget at the moment. I've been intrigued by the Marlin 1895.
I'm most interested in the "Guide Gun" (1895G) which has an 18.5" barrel, checkered straight stock and 4 shot magazine or the "GBL" (1895GBL) which also has an 18.5" barrel but a 6 shot magazine, "pistol grip" laminate stock, and large loop lever. They're pretty much the same price and I've heard great things about the guide gun but not alot is out there about the GBL (there seems to be more interest in the stainless stell GBL version). The guide gun has a nicer look to it with the straight checkered walnut stock but I've heard it's easier to work the lever on the GBL and there is an additional 2 rounds (though if you haven't killed whatever it is with 4 rds of .45/70 you're in trouble already). I liked the looks of the Marlin 1895 Cowboy alot as well but it seems like it might be a bit longer than I'm looking for and no one seems to have them in stock anyways.
Anways, long story short I'm trying to decide between the two (Guide Gun and GBL) but wondered if anyone had any experience with either. Any tips, observations or first hand experience would be much appreciated. Thanks!
I recently decided to not buy an AK model rifle and so I've freed up some gun budget money. So some of that is going to reloading equipment and I've been thinking about buying a .45/70 chambered rifle for a while so it seems like a good time to go for it. While a Winchester 1886 and a Springfield Trapdoor are on my wish list, they're not in the budget at the moment. I've been intrigued by the Marlin 1895.
I'm most interested in the "Guide Gun" (1895G) which has an 18.5" barrel, checkered straight stock and 4 shot magazine or the "GBL" (1895GBL) which also has an 18.5" barrel but a 6 shot magazine, "pistol grip" laminate stock, and large loop lever. They're pretty much the same price and I've heard great things about the guide gun but not alot is out there about the GBL (there seems to be more interest in the stainless stell GBL version). The guide gun has a nicer look to it with the straight checkered walnut stock but I've heard it's easier to work the lever on the GBL and there is an additional 2 rounds (though if you haven't killed whatever it is with 4 rds of .45/70 you're in trouble already). I liked the looks of the Marlin 1895 Cowboy alot as well but it seems like it might be a bit longer than I'm looking for and no one seems to have them in stock anyways.
Anways, long story short I'm trying to decide between the two (Guide Gun and GBL) but wondered if anyone had any experience with either. Any tips, observations or first hand experience would be much appreciated. Thanks!