1895SBL Thoughts...

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Sundance1908

Sundance1908

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Ok, so I do believe that it is worth what it is worth to you... damn the market.

I've spent more on things I shouldn't have based on market price. I've gotten deals on things I held my ground on because of "detracters" to cost.

The 1895SBL as seen in Jurassic Park - a beauty for sure.

Well, with Marlin bought by Ruger and production by Remington stopped, anyone without one of these is chomping at the bit (it may not be your cup of tea), and the prices of available rifles have skyrocketed.

Is it worth it? Your opinion... not mine... yours... what do you think?
 
Depends how bad you want it.

I don't have much use for one, practically speaking. I think they're neat. I like lever actions, big cartridges, and stainless steel. It's probably the model I'd pick if given the option.

But personally, even at pre-panic prices they didn't excite me enough to want to buy one.
 
gotboostvr said:
Depends how bad you want it.

I don't have much use for one, practically speaking. I think they're neat. I like lever actions, big cartridges, and stainless steel. It's probably the model I'd pick if given the option.

But personally, even at pre-panic prices they didn't excite me enough to want to buy one.
Click to expand...

Exactly my point. To be honest, most of my guns I don't have "use" for. Many fall into the "want" vs "need" category.

Heck, even ammo is at the "price I'm willing to pay" level.

So, the alternatives? If you wanted this, but didn't want to satisfy the prices private owners are asking, what would you look to?
 
Sundance1908 said:
Exactly my point. To be honest, most of my guns I don't have "use" for. Many fall into the "want" vs "need" category.

Heck, even ammo is at the "price I'm willing to pay" level.

So, the alternatives? If you wanted this, but didn't want to satisfy the prices private owners are asking, what would you look to?
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When I actually had a good purpose for one (deer hunting in a straight wall state) I went with a 16" SS Rossi 92 44mag and was well served with it instead. Even put a picitanny rail and red dot on it (blasphemy, I know).

If you want a 45-70 lever gun, there's Rossi and Henry. If it's gotta be stainless, well you could always have it matte electro-nickeled or cerakoted.
 
I have come to the realization, and please take it easy on me, that over 90% of my sporting and recreational needs could be covered with one center fire rifle, one rimfire rifle, and one pump shot gun. That means I have A LOT of guns I didn't actually "need". With all that thought and reasoning I will wait until Ruger gets the lever action production back up and running, see what happens with them, and resist all panic buying.
 
Mine is beautiful and 100% reliable. It is among the best Marlins I have owned. It is a Remington Marlin. The receiver is finished like a mirror, I can comb my hair in it. It will regularly cloverleaf at 50 yards and often at 100 yards. Are they worth it, yes! I have been offered several times some pretty big amounts for it. There is no substitute for the SBL but an SBL. I have faith Ruger will return them to the market, in the mean time, if you must have one, well, it could be painful. And I would be very cautious about buying any Marlin rifle of any era without either knowing (the owner) where it comes from or a careful inspection by yourself or a knowledgeable person.

IMG-2147.jpg

Apparently dressing up and emulating Chris Pratt, particularly from the Jurassic movie, is a big deal. Of course, how can anyone pretend to be Chris Pratt without an SBL ;).

Screen-Shot-2018-04-28-at-9-13-49-AM.png

The star of Jurassic World, Wind River and The Kingsman, The Golden Circle is in high demand for sure, mine will give out autographs :) .
 
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3Crows said:
Mine is beautiful and 100% reliable. It is among the best Marlins I have owned. It is a Remington Marlin. The receiver is finished like a mirror, I can comb my hair in it. It will regularly cloverleaf at 50 yards and often at 100 yards. Are they worth it, yes! I have been offered several times some pretty big amounts for it. There is no substitute for the SBL but an SBL. I have faith Ruger will return them to the market, in the mean time, if you must have one, well, it could be painful. And I would be very cautious about buying any Marlin rifle of any era without either knowing (the owner) where it comes from or a careful inspection by yourself or a knowledgeable person.

View attachment 980407
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Lucky dog.

Yes. This is the exact reason I told my wife - "DO NOT GET ME THIS FOR OUR ANNIVERSARY!"

Not a matter of worth - know what you're getting... lol

That being said - this model is one of others that are 45-70
 
gotboostvr said:
When I actually had a good purpose for one (deer hunting in a straight wall state) I went with a 16" SS Rossi 92 44mag and was well served with it instead. Even put a picitanny rail and red dot on it (blasphemy, I know).

If you want a 45-70 lever gun, there's Rossi and Henry. If it's gotta be stainless, well you could always have it matte electro-nickeled or cerakoted.
Click to expand...

This is my problem. I don't buy just on purpose. A good rifle/pistol isn't much different than my old Nolan Ryan baseball card. It's what gets me in trouble.

To me, and call me snobbish, it's about quality and nostalgia. I'm sure there are others that agree.

That being said, I have a Mosint-Nagant 91/30 - the aftermarket scope is close as I could get to real world.

That's my struggle. Do I get a 45-70 lever and say close enough... or is it?
 
Sundance1908 said:
That being said, I have a Mosint-Nagant 91/30 - the aftermarket scope is close as I could get to real world.

That's my struggle. Do I get a 45-70 lever and say close enough... or is it?
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I am on the search for a Henry Big Boy in the chrome finish in .44 magnum. That could tide over your want for the .45-70 SBL until Ruger gets them rolling again. Also I would consider the Trapper and STP models and the GBL as well. No offense to Henry, since I now have a Henry on my want list, but the SBL Marlin is the crown jewel. It is somehow sleek and sinewy and muscular at the same time. Quite the showoff the SBL is, but unlike many, it can not only talk the talk, it belches fire and cannon sized projectiles, it can walk the walk and back up the talk ;).

Edit to add, I have lost track of round count, but it is around 1,500. Nearly all hard cast lead including "bear" loads. I have some of my own gunsmithing (including action work) in it being a long time Marlin feller. I also added the WWG Happy Trigger, Bear Proof Ejector and alloy follower along with the RPP quick take down screw and their new side loading gate spring. It has a Burris 2.75X scout scope mounted up on quick removal Warne steel rings for reversion to irons.
 
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They would be more worth it to me with a straight grip stock and forend contoured like the CB models.

Still waiting for 1895s to slim up a bit.
 
earlthegoat2 said:
They would be more worth it to me with a straight grip stock and forend contoured like the CB models.

Still waiting for 1895s to slim up a bit.
Click to expand...

I bought my SBL in Alaska after doing my first hike about, without any gun, and feeling like I was at the bottom of the food chain. I was not hunting, just hiking and camping. I am going back hopefully next summer or next. I have owned a bunch of Marlins and it is the pistol grip and fatter front stock that first attracted me to them. Go figure. But, back to my story, during the trip, I fell on a scree slope and whacked the Hades out of my rifle on the front stock bottom cracking it, still functional but ugly. I later patched it up better and through not especially visible, I knew it was there. So, I ordered a new front stock and when it arrived I was pleased to find it was noticeably slimmer than the original and rounded into the receiver and into the front band very nicely. My left hand was injured in an industrial accident, the short of a long story there is that it will not close all the way with any strength, the new stock fits my hand perfectly without being blocky and matches the rear stock better too :) .
 
3Crows said:
I am on the search for a Henry Big Boy in the chrome finish in .44 magnum. That could tide over your want for the .45-70 SBL until Ruger gets them rolling again. Also I would consider the Trapper and STP models and the GBL as well. No offense to Henry, since I now have a Henry on my want list, but the SBL Marlin is the crown jewel. It is somehow sleek and sinewy and muscular at the same time. Quite the showoff the SBL is, but unlike many, it can not only talk the talk, it belches fire and cannon sized projectiles, it can walk the walk and back up the talk ;).
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marblkgrp.jpg

Here's the crown jewel. "JM" Marlin with 22" barrel, half magazine, and oil finished straight-stock. :) I believe these were made to mimic the Winchester 1886 "Lightweight" rifle.
 
Ugly Sauce said:
View attachment 980630

Here's the crown jewel. "JM" Marlin with 22" barrel, half magazine, and oil finished straight-stock. :) I believe these were made to mimic the Winchester 1886 "Lightweight" rifle.
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Beautiful rifle! But you will not mind if I prefer my SBL ;). I have a thing for stainless especially in rugged use. But truly, you have an absolutely beautiful rifle there, beautiful :) ! I have a 336 Texan of similar nature, very slim, straight stock and sleek too.

Screen-Shot-2021-02-25-at-8-29-32-PM.png

I hope when Marlin returns under Ruger's stewardship they will adjust the barrel twist for the .44 Magnum to 1:20 (which the Henry is and my little CVA as well BTW). And Ballard please, just saying.
 
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Nope. I've shot my brother's JM 1895 and it is possibly the most unpleasant rifle I've ever shot. He bought his used about 10 years ago for $600 and has never used it to kill anything. It is just a novelty and safe queen.

PuB9mMEYQ4C-adgVUY77rw.jpg
 
A .45-70 (and the OP was specifically asking about the 1895SBL) is a rifle that needs to be (hand) loaded for. The ammunition off the shelf is generally a poor selection. Frankly, as much as I like the Hornady LR ammo in my 336 .30-30, I loathe it in the .45-70 SBL. It has a snappy and uncomfortable recoil. The Remington "Safe for all Rifles" 1,300 FPS ammo I do not care for either, low recoil but kind of sharp. Remington released, just before they quit making ammo, a Level II 405 grain jacketed soft point, 1,600 FPS, but I have not had any to try. Of the commercially available ammo I like the HMS (and Black Hills) Cowboy loads with the 405 grain HCL bullet. They shoot softly and still bowl critters over as they essentially emulate the buffalo load, recoil is a long push, 1,300 FPS more or less. The HMS Bear Load steps it up but it is not as sharp as the Hornady with the 325 grain FTX but pushes a big 430 grain HCL bullet with authority, more of a long push with some energy behind it. The BB and Garret stuff, well, they can be unpleasant at the limits of Level II ammo.

I load 13.0 grains of Trail Boss under a 405 grain Missouri HCL bullet for about 1,000 FPS. It is a pussy cat, children can shoot it if they can hold the rifle up to do so. And it is accurate and there is no sonic crack, it is quiet. I have been working on a load of IMR4198 at 30.0 grains behind a 405 grain HCL bullet for just under 1,300 FPS, so far it too is a pussy cat but I am working accuracy for that load still. As far as recoil, there is a reason for the fat fore-stock and the pistol grip and that big rubber recoil pad on the SBL. Yes, a straight stocked .45-70 with a metal/plastic butt plate, ;), that might hurt. To tell the truth, the recoil just is not that bad and much exaggerated. But sure, rack up a Buffalo Bore 430 grain +P maximum Level II Marlin Load and your getting close to a low end .458 Winchester Magnum and in an 8.5 pound rifle! Yes, there is some recoil. And I have not seen many .458 Win Mags around with a straight stock and metal plate on the butt but I suppose some masochist somewhere has one.
 
3Crows said:
A .45-70 (and the OP was specifically asking about the 1895SBL) is a rifle that needs to be (hand) loaded for. The ammunition off the shelf is generally a poor selection. Frankly, as much as I like the Hornady LR ammo in my 336 .30-30, I loathe it in the .45-70 SBL. It has a snappy and uncomfortable recoil.
Click to expand...

That's what my brother and I shot in his rifle; the Hornady Leverevolution 325-grain FTX loads. Half a box of that and my shoulder was toast. Never had a gun kick that badly. Good to know we weren't suddenly wimps and that others have noticed how uncomfortable the load is.
 
Bought this one new in 2017, gun was actually manufactured in 2014, got it out the door for 8 bills. I also have a 1895 45-70 Ported Guide gun. Probably haven't put more than 10 shots down range with it. Is it worth it, if you really want it than yes for the right price, would I pay over 2 grand for one no. 20191214_005339.jpg
 
i own a SBL and a few other JM marlins ,,, the SBL is as good as any factory Marlin i have put my hands on ,,,, whats something worth ? whats somebody willing to
pay
 
3Crows said:
A .45-70 (and the OP was specifically asking about the 1895SBL) is a rifle that needs to be (hand) loaded for. The ammunition off the shelf is generally a poor selection. Frankly, as much as I like the Hornady LR ammo in my 336 .30-30, I loathe it in the .45-70 SBL. It has a snappy and uncomfortable recoil. The Remington "Safe for all Rifles" 1,300 FPS ammo I do not care for either, low recoil but kind of sharp. Remington released, just before they quit making ammo, a Level II 405 grain jacketed soft point, 1,600 FPS, but I have not had any to try. Of the commercially available ammo I like the HMS (and Black Hills) Cowboy loads with the 405 grain HCL bullet. They shoot softly and still bowl critters over as they essentially emulate the buffalo load, recoil is a long push, 1,300 FPS more or less. The HMS Bear Load steps it up but it is not as sharp as the Hornady with the 325 grain FTX but pushes a big 430 grain HCL bullet with authority, more of a long push with some energy behind it. The BB and Garret stuff, well, they can be unpleasant at the limits of Level II ammo.

I load 13.0 grains of Trail Boss under a 405 grain Missouri HCL bullet for about 1,000 FPS. It is a pussy cat, children can shoot it if they can hold the rifle up to do so. And it is accurate and there is no sonic crack, it is quiet. I have been working on a load of IMR4198 at 30.0 grains behind a 405 grain HCL bullet for just under 1,300 FPS, so far it too is a pussy cat but I am working accuracy for that load still. As far as recoil, there is a reason for the fat fore-stock and the pistol grip and that big rubber recoil pad on the SBL. Yes, a straight stocked .45-70 with a metal/plastic butt plate, ;), that might hurt. To tell the truth, the recoil just is not that bad and much exaggerated. But sure, rack up a Buffalo Bore 430 grain +P maximum Level II Marlin Load and your getting close to a low end .458 Winchester Magnum and in an 8.5 pound rifle! Yes, there is some recoil. And I have not seen many .458 Win Mags around with a straight stock and metal plate on the butt but I suppose some masochist somewhere has one.
Click to expand...

There does seem to be a shortage of "good" loads for the .45-70. Does Remington and Winchester make the 405 grain "standard" type loads anymore? I think the "Leverevolution" loads SUCK. They jam in the older guns, and shooting light bullets just to create more velocity and hence higher energy figures on paper does not kill game better.

My "JM" rifle only weighs 7.5 pounds, and recoil has never been a problem. At one time, long time ago when I first got it, I went through a "magnumtitis" phase and loaded it very hot, and it was still quite manageable. Now I shoot black powder in it, so that no smokeless loads find their way into my Trapdoor Springfields.

If one finds "sharpness" of recoil bothersome, one might try black powder. The pic I posted of my Marlin and the target was shot with 80 grains of 3f black under the Speer 400 grain JSP. No fouling gets in the action, and jacketed bullets clean out the fouling in the barrel from shot to shot. Barrel cleans up about as easy as with smokeless. Trail Boss is probably the next best alternative, for a longer recoil impulse.

1300fps sounds like a pussy-cat to many, but it drops buffalo, and modern pistols that will throw a 400-500 grain bullet at that velocity are considered a tower of power, able to drop enraged grizzly bears just from the muzzle blast alone! :)
 
shafter said:
Wind River is a better movie featuring that rifle.
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Yes, that was a good movie but a sad one also. The Golden Circle:

Screen-Shot-2021-01-08-at-10-03-48-PM.png

Ugly Sauce said:
There does seem to be a shortage of "good" loads for the .45-70. Does Remington and Winchester make the 405 grain "standard" type loads anymore? I think the "Leverevolution" loads SUCK. They jam in the older guns, and shooting light bullets just to create more velocity and hence higher energy figures on paper does not kill game better.
Click to expand...

My rifles feed the LR ammo just fine. I like it in the .30-30 (I have replicated the load) but I do not like it at all in the .45-70 and not just due to recoil. Yes, well, Remington went bankrupt you know but the 405 grain JSP "Safe For All Rifles" 1,300 FPS I described as not bad but a little sharp in recoil. The Remington 405 grain JSP Level II I have not seen or used but it is at 1,600 FPS. I have not seen any Winchester for .45-70 in a while nor ever used them to say how they are. I mostly reload for plinking and for bear protection duty it is the HMS Bear Load 430 grain or BB +P 430 grain, and there is some recoil there.
 

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I originally picked up a GBL a couple of years ago and found the sights just too hard to see so I swapped it out for an SBL with a Skinner aperture rear sight. I find arrangement much better for me—it’s surprisingly accurate.

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