my experience - I bought two 45-70s - the 1895 Cowboy and the 1895 guide gun. Both of these were bought in the 2000s, I waited about 6months after each was introduced to buy one.
The quality on those is much better than the 1894s I bought in the early 1980s. My 1894s had screws that continuously backed off, and the loading gates were fairly fragile. The 1895s in 45-70 from the 2000s for me have been "MohicanProof".
I wish I had purchased a 336 Cowboy in 38-55 when they were making them.