Turning a Guide Gun into the new 1895SBL ...

[MCMXI]

Well almost .... here's a photo of the new 1895SBL ..

Here's how my Guide Gun and XLR looked this morning ...

After switching a few parts around, here's how they look now ...

The recoil pad on the XLR butt stock (now on the Guide Gun) is thicker which will help with recoil since the Guide Gun is lighter. Also, I find the pistol grip more comfortable which helps with recoil too.

So what do you think? I think that the traditional wood looks better on the XLR, kind of a stainless Cowboy in .45-70. An extended magazine tube would look good as well as being a practical addition. I also think that the darker laminate looks better on the Guide Gun. A big loop lever from Wild West or DRC would help the transformation and is an easy "upgrade". The extended magazine tube isn't so simple unless Marlin plans on making them available to the masses.

 

[gvnwst]

So what do you think?

Looks great! Although...it seems as if the mag tube is a bit shorter on your "converted" rifle than the actual one...

 

[Jason_G]

I understand the practicality of a rail for mounting a scope, but it almost seems sacrilegious to put a rail on a levergun...

That aside, you've got some nice looking rifles.
I like the straight stock on the top one.

I think a Marlin .45-70 will be my next rifle purchase.

Jason

 

[MCMXI]

Looks great! Although...it seems as if the mag tube is a bit shorter on your "converted" rifle than the actual one...

HA!! I'm working on that!

I understand the practicality of a rail for mounting a scope, but it almost seems sacrilegious to put a rail on a levergun...

I understand that sentiment completely, but when it comes to firearms, I do what works for me and what I enjoy. My '94 has iron sights and I like it that way.

In case anyone's wondering how the swap between a pistol grip and straight grip is possible, these photos of the bottom of each receiver may help. The receivers are the same except for the removable lower receiver section. The pistol and straight grip lower receiver sections are dimensionally the same expect for the extra material on the lower, rear "tang" on the pistol grip receiver which gives the required angle. The only pieces I swapped were the lower receiver parts (shown below), the levers and the stocks. I think Marlin did an amazing job designing their series of lever action rifles. The fact that so many parts are interchangeable is impressive.

 

[Badlander]

I like it! Are you planning on adding the bog loop lever?

 

[krs]

I like!

Although I do share Jason's sentiment I think that when a levergun is made of stainless steel tradition has already given way to practicality and allows for a rail and glass sights as well.

 

[a-sheepdog]

That looks great. The only additon for me now would be a large lever loop. I have one of the 1895 Guide Guns and had a large lever loop added, trigger job and magnaported. It also has the extended mag tube and a Leupold Scout scope. Definitely a handy little lightweight rifle. Its hard on wild boar.

 

[Jason_G]

I understand that sentiment completely, but when it comes to firearms, I do what works for me and what I enjoy. My '94 has iron sights and I like it that way.

Well, I totally understand that. I also reckon there's probably not an easier/handier way to mount a scope than what you've used. I just have to get over my old ways I guess.


Jason

 

[MCMXI]

Hey guys ... thanks for your positive comments and yes, I'll be adding a big loop lever from DRC and an extended magazine tube.

I don't know if any of you have removed the forearm from a .45-70 Marlin but for a few seconds I had a bit of a scare. I saw a significant bulge near the base of the magazine tube and it took me a few seconds to process what I was seeing, particularly since the area was severely discolored. For an instant I thought it had been blown out and my mind was racing thinking "how the heck did that happen" but then I realized that it was for clearance when loading the long .45-70 rounds in the magazine tube. I'd often wondered how such a long round could be loaded through such a short loading gate ... now I know.

I have one of the 1895 Guide Guns and had a large lever loop added, trigger job and magnaported. It also has the extended mag tube and a Leupold Scout scope.

I'd love to see a photo and hear how you added the extended magazine.

I have to say, the Guide Gun wearing the XLR wood with the pistol grip buttstock feels SO much better. For me, the pistol grip is more ergonomic and the Guide Gun feels more practical now. Just my personal feelings and not a comment on anyone else's Guide Gun.

 

[Jason_G]

Will the big loops work with a straight stock, or will there be a big gap between the stock and the loop down towards the butt end of the loop? I guess what I'm trying to ask is are the bigger loops made to fit only on the pistol grip stock?

I'd love to get one of the 1895 Cowboy models and put the big loop on it.

Jason

 

[MCMXI]

are the bigger loops made to fit only on the pistol grip stock?

Jason, DRC and Wild West make big loop levers for straight and pistol grip stocks. Wild West doesn't seem to make a big loop lever in stainless for the pistol grip stock and DRC doesn't seem to make one in stainless for the straight grip stock. I just ordered the DRC one from Midway but it's backordered until October ... . I have stainless steel magazine followers from DRC and the quality is excellent so I'm confident that the lever will be excellent too.

DRC big loop lever for pistol grip '95s (stainless)

DRC big loop lever for straight grip '95s (blue)

Wild West big loop lever for straight grip '95s (stainless)

Wild West big loop lever for pistol grip '95s (blue)

Those '95 Cowboy models are really nice ... I'd like one too. Impact Guns has them in stock for $675 which is $50 cheaper than the '94 in .45 Colt. More gun for less money ...

 

[Badlander]

1858

Have you tried ordering the large loop lever from Marlin? It would be the correct one.

 

[MCMXI]

Have you tried ordering the large loop lever from Marlin? It would be the correct one.

Badlander, no I haven't. I don't know if Marlin is selling the levers yet and I doubt they will. To the best of my knowledge, the lever on the new Guide Gun (1895SBL) is made by Wild West and their web site is "under construction". The lever on the SBL sure looks like the Wild West lever shown below. The DRC big loop lever appears to have a smaller loop which is fine by me.

I will be calling Marlin this week to ask about the extended magazine tube and spring on the SBL to find out if it's available from them. I don't know if SBLs are showing up in stores yet so Marlin may not have any "extra" magazine tubes at this stage. I'll report back this week though.

SBL = stainless big loop?

 

[Badlander]

Wild wests web site has been under construction for many months. I hear calls work well.

 

[hoohaa310]

Does anybody have more info on the extended mag tube? I just picked up a guide gun Thursday and an extended mag tube is on the top of my list right now.

 

[Wanta B]

Sweet project!! How is it comn'?Any updates?

 

[SwampWolf]

Just me, but I positively hate the pregnant loop: too bulky and way too ugly. Teats on a boar hog if you ask me (of course, nobody did...).

 

[Wanta B]

LMAO...Yeah,not much of a fan here either. I have large hands tho' and absolutely can not fit them into the standard lever with gloves on.

I do,however,realy quite like the DRC lever. Will be ordering one to put on the SBL waiting for me back home...More than likely going to sell the Wild West lever to help offset the cost.

 

[Whitman31]

I'm not a lever gun guy (yet), but they both look real nice. Honestly, I've spent the last 5 minutes trying to tell the difference between the before and after photos, without success

 

[paintballdude902]

me like

 

[rogertc1]

You may want to hang on the marlin Board..I learned a lot there prior to customizing my 2 Guide guns. Get the bear proof extractor and a happy trigger too. Polish up the bolt. Also Put an O ring to cancel out the push button safety.
When you use the extended mag tube you will have ot cut a new notch under the barrel and plug up the old dove tail.
They are a blast to work on.

http://www.marlinowners.com/forums/index.php

 

[MCMXI]

Sweet project!! How is it comn'?Any updates?

Not really. I'm still waiting on the DRC big loop lever ordered on 5/10/09!! It's supposed to be here on at the end of the month but I'm not holding my breath.

I'm not sure that I want to add an extended magazine tube now. The 1895SBL magazine only holds one more round compared to the standard Guide Gun. I'm not so keen on doing a lot of work to add one extra round although I readily admit that the longer magazine is more aesthetically pleasing.

As for other upgrades, both '95's pictured have Wild West triggers and bear-proof ejectors, DRC stainless steel magazine followers, XS lever rails and Leupold Mark 4 optics. They also have Longhunter one-piece firing pins and safety deletes. A member here had a good idea re the safety. He suggested machining/filing the protruding part of the safety (when the safety is off) so that it's not proud of the receiver. A pointed object such as a ball point pen would be required to engage the safety. Not a bad idea really and something that I'll be looking into.

Honestly, I've spent the last 5 minutes trying to tell the difference between the before and after photos, without success

The stock and bottom metal are different if you compare the Guide Gun or the XLR.

 

[Whitman31]

Ohh, now I see. The pics were a little too big for my screen and I couldn't see the end of the barrels (the only way I can tell the difference). I assumed that they were laid out in the same order as the first set, meaning that the shorter one be on top in both pics. Either way, great looking guns.

 

[Wanta B]

1858+1 to liking the swapping...They realy look nice.Much better than they were. I realy like the XLR with the straight grip and walnut.

Longhunter...Have to check them out! Thanks.

I also like the other upgrades you have done.