1895 gbl

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ExAgoradzo

ExAgoradzo

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Right out of the box, at 30 paces, I was able to put 4 within about 2". That may it sound like much to y'all, but that was good for me! Planning on getting some ghost ring sights so I can shoot a bit better(it sighted several inches low). My buddy had a TDSpringfield, a repro 50-90 and a repro 45-120. The wood we laid down got splintered pretty good :)!
 
I almost bought a gbl the other day. Cabelas had 5 of them for $529. I keep thinking I should go back and pick it up.
 
I bought mine for more than that: the reason I bought mine was twofold: 1 I wanted a 'trailer gun' that I could take anywhere and defend myself against all predators 4 legged or two (there's itching in NA that can't kill within 50-100'). Secondly b/c of the tradition and the adaptability of the 45-70. I found the Hornady 325 grain to be relatively easy on the recoil and the Corbon 460 to be quite stout but doable and certainly doable if a predator is around! The gun itself is fine even though I heard a lot of beef about Marlington. The sights are decent: I'm going to buy a ghost ring. I am also having a friend instal a Weaver rail on the magazine (plenty of thickness!!!) so I can mount a flashlight. This will be the best trailer gun I can imagine until I can afford an M1A ;).
 
Me too!

If only there was some way I could convince my wife... Hey...
Could everyone here please participate in a letter writing campaign to my wife?
 
I got mine for 500 like new in box. I have the same issue with it hitting low at 50 yards, but this thing is a blast to shoot. I don't know if it's just because it's still relatively new, but the action is fairly stiff on mine even after a light oiling. I have no practical use for it, but it turns a lot of heads at the range every time :D
 
I have decided on this gun also, my question is; Was this model (GBL) produced before the "Remlin" takeover fiasco, or is it only available in recent manufacter ??
 
Remlin or not, my gun was made after the change: but I got to hold it first. It's fine. The finish is good it racks the rounds just fine. I like it. I hate that they are so much more expensive out here in CA. I wanted the SBL instead but it wasn't available. but if you want a good 44-70 that's convenient you aren't going to find something better. Unless you want the longer barrel... I got the Corbon 460 HC and it kicks: a little unpleasant, but if needed I'll use them. The 325 hornady don't feel too hard at all. In fact this Fri I'm hoping to let my boys shoot for the first time with it. Bought some of the weak rounds able to be shot in the TDS and they were expensive! But my 11 yr old can pull the trigger so that should be fun... Go for it bro!
 
I think I agree with you, I went to my dealer and handled some 1895's, not bad fit & finish at all, and after some checking, they all come with a 5 year warranty against defects. Soooooo, might just have to order a GBL :D Hard to argue with that, If this gun can hold up to hundreds of rounds in 5 years of this caliber, i would imagine that it's gonna be a keeper? ;)
 
ExAgoradzo said:
I bought mine for more than that: the reason I bought mine was twofold: 1 I wanted a 'trailer gun' that I could take anywhere and defend myself against all predators 4 legged or two...

Secondly b/c of the tradition and the adaptability of the 45-70...

...The sights are decent: I'm going to buy a ghost ring. I am also having a friend instal a Weaver rail on the magazine (plenty of thickness!!!) so I can mount a flashlight. This will be the best trailer gun I can imagine until I can afford an M1A ;).
Click to expand...

First, congratulations on your GBL! I bought mine for essentially the same reasons (it'll take anything in the western hemisphere).

Mine gets most use across the forks of my ATV when I'm prospecting the high desert around my ranch and will also be with me if, at my age, I'm fortunate enough to make another trip to the Alaskan bush or Central American jungle.

Personally (meaning "my" personal preference - you should do as your experience tells you to do), I find the ghost ring to be esthetically and practically NOT a sight I want on my GBL. It's simply TOO DANG BIG!! My GBL wears a Williams gallows peep sight. If I want to "make it into an "instant ghost ring" all I have to do is unscrew the aperture and "voila" it IS a ghost ring and the eye will automatically center on it. And, of course it doesn't stick up above the receiver to snag on anything and everything and it isn't made of plastic.

May I make a suggestion? The real "Hammer of Thor" effect delivered by the 45-70 is because of Big Bullets. Some 40 years ago I decided the 45-70 shoots better and performs better for me with 405 grain cast bullets. I do not use lighter bullets. YMMV, but the big ones tend to drop the game in its tracks if I do my part. And the "flatter trajectory" offers by light bullets is IMO imaginary for all intent and purposes. My load with 405 grain bullets is effective for me out to 225 yards, and with my Sharps, amazingly accurate out to 650 yards and more. (but the Sharps wears a high quality Soule tang sight and a spirit level globe front sight).

Again, congratulations on your GBL. I know how much mine means to me and if you're only half as pleased with yours, you'll still be way ahead of the game.

Oh, one last comment... I have an M1A SOCOM16. In any urban area my preferred rifle would be the 1895 Marlin. My RV gun is a 12ga Coach Gun.
 
1895 marlin 45/70

ExAgoradzo: I can`t imagin any one not liking a 1895 MARLIN 45/70, they are really a joy to carry, shoot, and hunt with. My Son and I have several MARLINS and have never had a problem with any of them. We are (( BIG MARLIN )) fans. We went pig hunting in a little town in NE Texas, and I packed the wroung ammo left the hot stuff at home, and brought the light Cowboy loads. They are 35grs of IMR 3031 and a hard cast 405gr rnfp bullets, couldn`t find in 45/70 ammo where we were, my Son was alittle upset. So we used what I had mistakenly brought. We had 2 pigs apeice the first afternoon and evening, befor we left we had 8 pigs, 4 apeice. Even with our light loads we never had to go looking for a pig, most laying where they were hit. Our light load is so pleasent to shoot you can shoot it all day at a Cowboy Shoot. I am old now and recoil senceity but my Son shoots the hot stuff quite a bit and it shoots very well. I use the light stuff most of the time and have never lost any thing I was hunting, one pig went mabey went 25 to 30yds befor folding up. You might think about trying the 444 & 450 MARLIN they are a hoot to shoot also. GOOD LUCK TO YOU: ken
 
I got me one a while back and have followed some of the videos on slicking up the action. Really simple to work on and extremely accurate to me. I want to do 2 more mods to it when I get the time. I want to slim the wood down a bit and I want to shorten and port the barrel. And before anyone ask, just because that is the way I would like mine to be.

kenken
 
I don't have a picture of my GBL handy (at work!), but it is a Marlin 1895 GBL (as opposed to stainless it is blued) that shoots a 45-70 (I noticed I put 44-70 above, but I don't think that fooled any body here :) ).
I get the point about the ghost ring sticking above to get caught on stuff; the kit I bought has two apertures one small and one large. I just found the stock ones less than satisfactory. Having said that, I'm sure that 98% of the fault on that is the operator because I can adjust them I'm just not 'good enough'.
I'm also glad about what you said re: urban environment. B/c it has the larger capacity mags (6+1 I believe) and because it is throwing enough hot lead accurately as far as you'd need if the 7.0 earthquake finally happens and there is civil unrest. But the M1A just looks like the sweetest gun of its kind I know of. I'm not an AR guy (I like wood too much), so that and the Mini14 will just have to suffice. And since I'm married with two boys, it will probably be a long time before I can shell out $1500 minimum for the M1A.
@kenken: "Just because that's the way I want mine to be" is as good a reason as you need! :)
@cpt-t: we have a pig problem in San Luis county. I can't wait to do my part! You all know, we must be a part of the solution!
Thanks for the comments and the congrats guys!
 
Photos

This is a Marlin 1895 GBL
1895 whole.jpg

This is a Marlin 1895 looking at the leather ammo carrier.
1895 460 Corbon HC.jpg

This is a Marlin 1895 with a flashlight attached so if I see a varmint (2 or 4 legged) at night I can see before I shoot.
1895Flashlight.jpg

You can see I don't have the ghost rings on yet. Before Friday when my boys and I go shoot it in the morning.
 
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