
L-R: Ruger No.1 .303Brit, Win M1895 .270Win, WinM1895 .30-06, Win M1895 .405Win, Win M1894 .375Win, Marlin M1895GS .45-70, Marlin M1895XLR .45-70 and Marlin M39A .22LR
Picture is just for comparison between the stubby 18-1/2" barrel Marlin M1895 Guide Gun, and the Marlin 1895XLR.
I have fired many, many rounds at the shooting range, and some on big game with the 2 Marlins.
The XLR is just a far superior shooting rifle, due to the longer barrel. "From my cold dead hands" applies to it (and that beautiful Win M1894 .375Win, my favourite walk-about rifle).
If Ruger(/) is re-producing the M1895XLR, that is the rifle to get, in my opinion.
If looks is important, get yourself a Win M1886 Deluxe, in .45-70. I bought one of those, and it's just the most gorgeous rifle I own... and of course the M1886 action is a legend of it's own.
Edit to add: One thing about the Marlin M1895's, they have a Cross-Bolt safety. It's just a small 'button' that protrudes out the left side of the receiver, and when pushed in to the right, it blocks the hammer from striking the primer.
I missed on a big black bear one time due to that damn thing!!
Some people get all crazy and take the action apart to remove that, but there is a far easier solution.
Just get the correct size (I forget exactly) Snap Ring, that cross-bolt safety actually has a small groove in it, just for that purpose.
Just put your snap ring on it, into that groove and you can easily disable that.
Needless to say, after missing on the black bear, mine are disabled!