Recommendations for a lever action 45-70

[ilgac]

I also have a Remington made Marlin 1895G Guide Gun. It’s a very good shooter and never had to go back to Marlin for any remedial work.

I do agree that Marlin has had some serious quality control issues but mine doesn’t seem to suffer from any of them.

Pictured on right with my Marlin 444P Outfitter.

 

[SwampWolf]

I have a Winchester Model 1886 "Extra Light Weight" (Miroku repo) rifle that I like a lot. The rifle is very well-made and nicely finished as all Miroku firearms are that I've ever seen. I put a Williams receiver sight on it (like I have on several other rifles I own). The rifle handles very well, and has a 22" barrel and weighs 7.25 pounds. Recoil, even off the bench, is "moderate" with its "shotgun-style" buttstock, using factory .45-70 ammunition.
These rifles were never cheap (I paid $725.00 for a new one several years ago) but can still be found for around a grand, last time I looked.

 

[Charlie98]

I had one of the Browning 1886's, just like az_muth's. I sold it some years ago and, to this day, it remains the One Rifle I Regret Selling. I did buy a Browning 71... the 1886's younger brother in .348, which I still have, so I'm not completely empty handed. I would not buy one of the new Winchesters, I would hunt for a Browning. Nor would I buy a 'new' Marlin... unless you are prepared to do some gunsmithing or fit and finish work... I would find a JM Marlin.

I did buy a Marlin 1895 LTD V a few years ago from a friend... it's a great rifle and much more svelte compared to the Browning, but I still miss my Browning. I'm fixing to list it for sale probably this week... I'm moving to a single-shot 1885 High Wall.

Of the imports, both Uberti and Pedersoli make their own 1886 variants, I've not yet actually had the chance to lay hands on one to see if they are worth the price of admission.

I'm not a big fan of the Henry, based on the mag design and general aesthetics, but, like the Italians, I've not ever handled one, either.

My 1886...

 

[Bushpilot]

So value for the money? What would I be happiest with? What's going to be higher In Quality/accuracy?

While the Uberti's, Miroku's and the Browning's are some very nice rifles, taking price into consideration though, I'd rather have an 1895 Marlin 45-70 old or new. I would give a new one a very good looking over before I bought it. After that if there were any problems Marlin will take care of it eventually.

Performance-wise I think the Marlin will likely shoot just as well as the more expensive brands, arguably even better since the Marlin design is so much easier to mount good optics on compared to an 86 if you choose to go that route. I'm more than satisfied with my old, Marlin 1895 45-70... The Henry 45-70 is in many ways an expensive copy of the Marlin, and would be at the bottom of my list...

 

[dickydalton]

DSC00002

• dickydalton
• Oct 18, 2018

17 years ago I loaded hot for this and hotter for a Ruger No.1. I got smart and sold the No.1 and load lighter for this.

 

[Jessesky]

I posted a similar thread when I was debating over what to buy and still am. I settled on the 1886 for its class over the 1895 cowboy. It does depend on your purpose though. For a practical woods gun, the 1886 is heavy and cumbersome, but also classy. For practicality and simplicity, the marlin will most likely be better suited. But when it comes to practical rifles I think a bolt gun surpasses all, and I have many of those. So my levers are mainly for fun or non harsh conditions.

 

[Charlie98]

the 1886 is heavy and cumbersome,

True that, at least compared to the Marlin 1895. I don't have my Browning 1886 to compare anymore, but I have my Browning 71, which is at least half a pound lighter than the 1886 was (20" barrel, half magazine,) and it's quite a bit heavier than the 1895 even with it's full mag tube and 24" barrel. But running the action open on the 1886 or 71 and it feels like you are opening a vault door... the 1895 not so much. That's not a criticism of the 1895, it's just a different action that you can disassemble in about 30 seconds...

 

[cdb1]

The forend is made of pine or whatever they make the 30-30's out of and the stock was walnut

I think they may use beech. Even with their issues I’d still rather have a Marlin if going with a 45-70. I bought a 336 in 2010. When mounting the scope I realized the receiver was drilled and tapped with a severe cant to the left. Sent it back through the store where it was purchased(Academy) and Marlin/Remington kept it for three months. When it came back the cant hadn’t been addressed but they had installed some cheap bases and replaced the ejector that wasn’t broken. I took it back to Academy, the store manager was cool and brought every 336 they had and told me to take my pick or receive a refund. I picked one out, did some minor polishing, installed a Happy Trigger and had grind to fit Pachmayr installed. The rifle is Very accurate for a lever gun. My only complaint is with the fore end. It was the same color as the butt stock initially but quickly started turning lighter. It’s now pretty noticeable, I tried rubbing some BLO on it but it doesn’t penetrate. There is some sort of polyurethane finish on it.

My next lever gun will be a Long Ranger if they ever chamber it in 7mm-08 or .338 Federal.


With the cheek riser off the difference in color is pretty noticeable.

 

[DannyLandrum]

Well, I just today "discovered" the 1895 "Trapper" version. I had wanted the SBL.... forget that; I want the Trapper now - what a mini-might beast!

https://www.marlinfirearms.com/lever-action/model-1895-big-bore

I have had two of the Marlins before and liked them.

Henry seems a bit proud of theirs for what you get, but that's arguable.

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

I have a Marlin 1895 CB .45-70,9 shot Octagon tubular magazine 26" barrel.

Me too. I put Skinner sights on it and it's a good shooter.

 

[someguy2800]

Well, I just today "discovered" the 1895 "Trapper" version. I had wanted the SBL.... forget that; I want the Trapper now - what a mini-might beast!

https://www.marlinfirearms.com/lever-action/model-1895-big-bore

I have had two of the Marlins before and liked them.

Henry seems a bit proud of theirs for what you get, but that's arguable.

https://www.marlinfirearms.com/lever-action/model-1895-big bore/model-1895cba

This is the one that catches my eye. I already have an 1895g so I will never get one but that looks great to me. I like the idea of a stainless guide gun too.

 

[Axis II]

I think they may use beech. Even with their issues I’d still rather have a Marlin if going with a 45-70. I bought a 336 in 2010. When mounting the scope I realized the receiver was drilled and tapped with a severe cant to the left. Sent it back through the store where it was purchased(Academy) and Marlin/Remington kept it for three months. When it came back the cant hadn’t been addressed but they had installed some cheap bases and replaced the ejector that wasn’t broken. I took it back to Academy, the store manager was cool and brought every 336 they had and told me to take my pick or receive a refund. I picked one out, did some minor polishing, installed a Happy Trigger and had grind to fit Pachmayr installed. The rifle is Very accurate for a lever gun. My only complaint is with the fore end. It was the same color as the butt stock initially but quickly started turning lighter. It’s now pretty noticeable, I tried rubbing some BLO on it but it doesn’t penetrate. There is some sort of polyurethane finish on it.

My next lever gun will be a Long Ranger if they ever chamber it in 7mm-08 or .338 Federal.


With the cheek riser off the difference in color is pretty noticeable.
View attachment 808228

I sat there for a few minutes trying to figure out what wood it was cause I knew it wasn't pine so I just threw the pine in there. lol.

Mine looks the same as yours. I've had the stocks off and you can feel the difference in softness compared to the inside wood.

 

[someguy2800]

I put my guide gun on armslist today. If I sell it I’m going to buy that CBA. That has everything I’m looking for. Is that a new model? Don’t remember seeing it.

 

[Jessesky]

I put my guide gun on armslist today. If I sell it I’m going to buy that CBA. That has everything I’m looking for. Is that a new model? Don’t remember seeing it.

I was very tempted to buy the1895 cowboy. I also heard the fit and quality standards of marlin have improved quite a bit in the last two years