Marlin 1895, now I've done it

[bikemutt]

Once bitten by the 45/70 bug I really wanted a certain Marlin 1895 configuration but, every time I found one they were either way off the budget chart or, let's just say, a more contemporary specimen.

So, I found a 2002 Guide Gun, stainless, I could justify. First things first, made sure it shot straight, it did. Next up was to find a laminate pistol grip stock/forearm set, I called Marlin. I was floored, the Marlin guy knew exactly what I wanted and had it in stock for a very reasonable price.

Well, the trigger group from a straight stock will not work too well in a pistol grip stock so, I found the big loop lever with trigger/tang group from an outfit in Canada and ordered it up.

Sitting there with my gunsmith looking over everything, he suggested we also install from Wild West Guns, a trigger happy group, aluminum follower and a bear-proof ejector. We also noted the stock rifle would not load Hornady Leverevolution ammo; they would jam up between the feed gate and the tube. Some polishing and TLC would be needed.

I got the call this morning, the one we all want to get, "it's done".

The rifle has been transformed, not just the cosmetics, I realize laminate stocks aren't everyone's cup of tea. The action is unbelievably smooth, like strumming a guitar to the tune of "Margaritaville", LOL. The trigger is like something from another planet compared to the stock one; crisp, clean break with predictable, minimal take up, little, if any, over travel. Hornady's load like a fresh-cooked Jimmy Dean sausage.

Once I figure out optics, this one will be used for hunting boar, a "working" gun as my 'smith says. Here are a few "before" and after pics of the subject.

 

[TEAM101]

I am a fan of the straight stock, but nice looking gun regardless. Is the big loop lever compatible with the straight stock?

 

[bikemutt]

I am a fan of the straight stock, but nice looking gun regardless. Is the big loop lever compatible with the straight stock?

I'm not sure about OEM levers but Wild West Guns does show they have big loop levers for both straight and pistol grip stocks.

 

[JeffDilla]

Great work and fantastic looking rifle. I've considered looking for a pistol grip stock to match the furniture of my straight stock 1895G but I'm not sure if I'm ready to drop the cash for it yet. I'm curious to know how much Marlin charged for the furniture switch but if you don't want to share I completely understand.

Regarding the feeding issue with Hornady leverevolution rounds. I called Marlin about this issue and they sent me a free dimpled magazine tube follower with the indent to accommodate Hornady's gummy-tipped rounds. It was a 15 minute switch and I'm pleased with the results and it solved any feeding issues.

Anyway, great looking rifle, they did an awesome job with it!

 

[Geno]

That looks great! Thanks for sharing the pics.

Geno

 

[musicman10_1]

bikemutt: That looks great! Shooting that is going to be a blast.

I picked up an 1895 ABL last year for a great price and I love it.

 

[MCMXI]

I've considered looking for a pistol grip stock to match the furniture of my straight stock 1895G but I'm not sure if I'm ready to drop the cash for it yet.

You'll need a pistol grip trigger guard plate too which Marlin won't sell. The plates are different for the straight grip and pistol grip. The SBL is a great rifle and the only one I decided to keep. I had a Guide Gun and XLR too but the SBL is the one I always wanted.

 

[rondog]

Beautiful rifles! But 45-70? Yowza! My .44 carbine with full-house loads rocks my world plenty, thank you very much. Guess I'm getting old.

 

[bikemutt]

Great work and fantastic looking rifle. I've considered looking for a pistol grip stock to match the furniture of my straight stock 1895G but I'm not sure if I'm ready to drop the cash for it yet. I'm curious to know how much Marlin charged for the furniture switch but if you don't want to share I completely understand.

Marlin charged me $166.45 shipped for the furniture which included a butt stock black sling stud.

I really wanted an SBL myself but every one I followed on the auction sites sold for north of $2000. My last hope was to convince an old friend to sell me his cheap, you all can guess where that idea ended up. His is a post-Remington gun but it is pretty much flawless.

So, ignoring gunsmith time because most of it involved work that I would have done on any rifle, and sales tax for the same reason, the breakdown goes something like:

Rifle: $805
Laminate furniture: $167
Big loop lever and trigger group: $130
Total: $1102.

 

[jack44]

I have the Marlin 1895GBL toped with a Leopold pig plex pretty good glass. I sold my 308 for that gun and really like the power! since I reload for it I can use soft loads also or full power loads for bear! one of these day I have to put in a Wild West trigger and dress it with leather strap and a bullet holder.

 

[bikemutt]

Beautiful rifles! But 45-70? Yowza! My .44 carbine with full-house loads rocks my world plenty, thank you very much. Guess I'm getting old.

There are some pretty hot rounds in 45/70 but there are also some quite mild ones. I tried some Black Hills 405 grain loads that were real pussycats, accurate too.

The Hornady 325 grain FTX have some more recoil but still very manageable, and that was shooting it with the old stock and butt pad, this new butt stock came with what I think is a Pachmayr pad, a whole lot better IMO than the older style.

 

[osteodoc08]

Very nice. I've been looking for a GBL locally. I already have a stainless GG and its awesome.

There's something to be said about a 405gr hunk o lead traveling around 2000fps. If that can't get it done, well, I have no business chasing it.

 

[7mmsavage]

Those are all awesome rifles guys. Along the lines of what Team101 said about straight vs pistol grip stocks, I've always liked he look of straight better too. That ends when it comes to handling both. I have a straight stocked 94 in 30-30, my dad has a pistol grip stocked 336 Marlin, same caliber. I must admit I prefer the grip on his rifle over mine. OK enough of my thread hijacking, nice rifle BikeMutt, look out hogs!

 

[MCMXI]

I've always liked he look of straight better too. That ends when it comes to handling both.

I agree. I have a couple of Marlin 1894s with straight stocks which are fine since those rifles are chambered for pistol cartridges. However, a pistol grip on an 1895 is a huge improvement over a straight stock, particularly when pushing heavy bullets around 2,000 fps.

I did what bikemutt has done a few years back by swapping the furniture and trigger plate of an XLR (top) and Guide Gun (bottom). I added an XS rail and basically made an SBL long before Marlin offered one. However, I really wanted the look and function of a full-length magazine tube so snapped up an SBL as soon as I could. Mine is JM stamped and cost about $800 new from www.onlinegundeals.com. I installed a Wild West trigger, bear-proof ejector, one-piece firing pin and DRC stainless steel mag tube follower. The rifle is incredible and runs like a Swiss clock. These rifles are easily capable of sub moa groups at 100 yards and further. My only complaint is the big loop lever. I'd rather have a DRC version with a mid-sized loop rather than the over sized WW loop. I'll eventually get around to fixing that. Also, I'm considering going to Skinner sights which I have on my 1894s. The 1.5-5X scope is very light and excellent for shooting small groups but those Skinners are really, really good sights for all around use.