Marlin 1895G Ported Barrel

[Ithaca45]

This is a new to me 1895G in 45/70. I hope to shoot it Friday and am looking forward to doing so. I have shot 45/70 in a Contender with a 14" barrel and a C Sharps but this is the first 45/70 that I can call mine. According to the serial # it was made in 2001.

 

[whiteoak]

I have an un-ported version, and have really grown to love that rife. Took a bear with it using Nosler partition hand-loads in Ontario.

 

[packard]

I Have a 1895 GS built the same year. Very accurate rifle. If you don't already do so, I highly recommend reloading for it. Mild to wild, the 45-70 can do it all.

And if you hunt, the cases can be cut back to 1.8" and you have a legal deer hunting round. If that interests you there are several people on this site (myself included) that can help with that. Just ask.

 

[oldpink]

Great catch
Just looking at the photos, it looks to be in nearly perfect condition.
The walnut on the butt stock is particularly nice, with some gorgeous figure toward the pad.
Lucky dog

 

[Ithaca45]

The wood is really nice and it is in pristine condition. I have a friend who reloads has already started on some IN legal hunting rounds for me. He will have some there on Friday. I am thinking about a scope for it but I have the XS sights on my 1894SS and really like them so I'll probably just keep the those.

 

[oldpink]

Even cooler that you'll be taking that little beauty into the woods for deer.
It'll be decisive, especially with the right bullet.
Just a recommendation here, but may be you could have some of the loads your friend is assembling for you with the Hornady FTX bullets.
Those are the same bullets that Hornady loads in their LeveRevolution factory ammo, and they're terrific for extending your range.
All three of the deer I've taken with my own Marlin 1894 .45 Colt were shot with my handloads using the .225 grain bullet, each requiring only one shot.
Again, great score getting that Marlin.

 

[451_Detonics]

458 caliber lever guns are a blast, I own 2 now. A Browning 71 rebarreled for the potent 450 Alaskan and a Marlin 1881 built in 1888 in 45/70. The Browning is the real bruiser launching a 500 grain cast gas check at about 2000fps while I will be loading a basic trapdoor load of a 350 cast backed with 13.5 grains of Trail Boss for the 1881, should give me about 1050fps for a fun plinking load.

 

[snorko]

I am having a bit of a lever renaissance lately. Just added XS peep sights, scout rail and a Burris LER 2.75X scope to an 1894 in .357. I plan to shoot it this weekend but it feels pretty good. I may end up having an inch or so taken off the stock for a more perfect union of shooter and rifle.

Also finally got to the range with my .30-30 CAR or Cowboy Assault Rifle. A shortened 336 with a 16.5" soon to be threaded barrel, Skinner tactical sights and Teflon green Birdsong refinish. Also plan on adding a scout rail with a low profile red dot and probably will paint the stock with bed liner.

 

[Thor]

Very nice looking weapon there.

I have a 1895CB that I put Guide Gun furniture on for the recoil pad and sling mounts. Good luck with it in the field.

 

[Medic2464]

Just wondering....can you cut a 30/30 case back to 1.8'' and have a legal deer rifle? I've heard the 45-70 strategy mentioned several times but never the 30-30. I ask because it seems that the Marlin 336 is a little cheaper and has a great reputation as a deer gun (in other states of course). I dont reload and am thinking about getting a lever gun. The 45-70 might be a little too much gun for me to shoot a lot of rounds through at the range. Anyway...I would appreciate any thoughts or advise you all might have

 

[Ithaca45]

Medic2464 I've never heard of cutting down a 30-30 to make it legal in Indiana. I also have a Marlin 1894 in 44 Mag. and I love that gun. It of course is already legal for deer in IN. I would love to use my old Winchester 94 30-30 for deer but until then it will be the 44 Mag, the 1895, or my 336 in 35 Rem. with loads cut down to IN specs.

 

[Leadeye]

Reload if you don't already, cast bullets if you don't already. The 45-70 is an excellent cartridge for both.

 

[The Bubba Effect]

I'm jealous.

 

[whiteoak]

Just wondering....can you cut a 30/30 case back to 1.8'' and have a legal deer rifle? I've heard the 45-70 strategy mentioned several times but never the 30-30. I ask because it seems that the Marlin 336 is a little cheaper and has a great reputation as a deer gun (in other states of course). I dont reload and am thinking about getting a lever gun. The 45-70 might be a little too much gun for me to shoot a lot of rounds through at the range. Anyway...I would appreciate any thoughts or advise you all might have

Indiana requires a .35 caliber bullet or larger, you can cut back a .35rem but not a 30-30 for use in rifles.

 

[EthanR9]

Nice rifle! I had a 2006 336 in .30-30 but ended up getting rid of it because I thought that the 1894c .357 magnum that I bought would be better. The 1894c was a new model Marlington and ended up being terrible... It wouldn't even chamber .357 mag. Never even got to shoot it. Had it sent back to Marlin.

 

[oldpink]

Nice rifle! I had a 2006 336 in .30-30 but ended up getting rid of it because I thought that the 1894c .357 magnum that I bought would be better. The 1894c was a new model Marlington and ended up being terrible... It wouldn't even chamber .357 mag. Never even got to shoot it. Had it sent back to Marlin.

From what I've been able to learn, the post-buyout Marlin guns were a real crap shoot quality wise because they were made on equipment that was in poor condition before Remington could retool and relocate the manufacturing.
My own Marlin 1894 with "REP" stamped clearly on the barrel was made in 2012 and the quality is still good with it.
I've seen lots of reports about Marlins made in the last year or two that indicate that Remington has gotten the quality acceptable again.
Only a hands on with the current manufacture guns will really tell the tale, but I wouldn't be quite so quick to write Marlin off altogether.

 

[Ithaca45]

Good catch whiteoak you are absolutely correct. Hopefully this will change and we'll be able to use some of the "classic" calibers in the future. As for Marlin quality, the new rifles that I've seen recently have been well made. Fit and finish were good and the folks who owned and shot them say they function well. I've never used Marlin Customer Service but I understand they are good and will make any issue right.

 

[EthanR9]

From what I've been able to learn, the post-buyout Marlin guns were a real crap shoot quality wise because they were made on equipment that was in poor condition before Remington could retool and relocate the manufacturing.
My own Marlin 1894 with "REP" stamped clearly on the barrel was made in 2012 and the quality is still good with it.
I've seen lots of reports about Marlins made in the last year or two that indicate that Remington has gotten the quality acceptable again.
Only a hands on with the current manufacture guns will really tell the tale, but I wouldn't be quite so quick to write Marlin off altogether.

I was at Cabelas over the weekend and looked at a new Marlin lever gun and it seemed to be much better quality than the .357 I had. I've been told the quality has come back in the past year to year and a half. I bought the 1894 about a year and a half ago. And I just couldn't believe how bad the quality was. I was expecting it to be slightly rough being a Marlington, but not nearly as bad as it was.

 

[Medic2464]

I think im gonna buy the Marlin 1894 in .44 mag. Thanks for all the advise.

 

[oldpink]

I think im gonna buy the Marlin 1894 in .44 mag. Thanks for all the advise.

Should be a great gun, particularly for deer.
Here's mine, this one in .45 Colt.
Notice that it's one of the uncommon and now discontinued (available only through Cabela's for a few years) round barrel versions in that caliber.