Finally got bit by the Lever bug. Think I want a Marlin.

A

Advoc

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Lethbridge Alberta
I know I'm late to this party. And I don't just mean lever guns, but also this particular lever gun.

Watched Jurassic World with my wife last night. First date night out in probably a year so it was pretty great, especially that we could find a movie we both wanted to watch.

Well around the mid point of the movie Chris Pratt jumps off his SUV and unslings his rifle. My wife balks and laughs quietly mentioning to me that he needs a bigger gun, to which I smugly reply (being the gun nerd that I am) that it's probably a .45-70 and bigger than everybody else's gun in the movie.

I checked out when I got home, and I was right. For some reason I missed the hubbub over the Marlin 1895 SBL in recent years, probably because I didn't have any levers on my radar. I've never been versed in Marlin, it's not a language I yet speak, but I understand these rifles have had a hit and miss history with QA from the various plants it's been manufactured in. But aside from all that, I really love the IDEA of owning this gun if it works without hiccups.

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I'm getting conflicting messages on the pricing and availability of these in Canada. I've heard that Epps and Wolverine carry them. And that even Canadian Tire did at some point. And i've heard the price range from anywhere between $699 and $1199. There is one on the EE right now with a pelican case + ammo for $1200.

What is a good price to get one, and where from? And what sort of questions should I ask when it comes to quality and place of manufacture? Like I said. I don't speak Marlin.

mmmmmmm

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With such QC horror stories over the last few years I wouldn't really want to buy used, maybe you'e get someone else's problem gun. I would stick to a long standing company and be up front with them about your QC concerns and discuss what will happen if you find any problems. Epps and P&D would be at the top of my list.
 
I keep having to talk myself out of a 336. They look handy and they look like a whole lot of fun but between the limitations of the ammo and me not having reloading gear for it, I'm going to have to settle on something else.
 
I love lever guns. Maybe I watched to much Hickok45 lol. I have the Henry 001 and just picked up its Mares leg brother. I also have the Marlin 1894CSS in .357mag which I use in cowboy action and it has not failed me once.
 
Is there something similar to this model by somebody other than marlin? I'm not looking for a Mares Leg type of setup, I like the Carbine length and the more modern shaped stock, as well as the accessory rail on top. Are there similar models?
 
Buncha weeeeeeeenies.............go fer broke............press, dies, bullets, primers, powder and MARLIN.

Ya gartzs a story to write and nothing like the kurrint time to giddieeeeeee up goooooooo............ yeeeeeeeeee-haaaaaaaaah.......

Kant take it widdjah.
 
Chiappa makes a few models in a handy size. Check out Wanstalls. I have no experience with them but I remember a thread on here blasting the finish quality of them.
 
Advoc said:
Is there something similar to this model by somebody other than marlin? I'm not looking for a Mares Leg type of setup, I like the Carbine length and the more modern shaped stock, as well as the accessory rail on top. Are there similar models?
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The Rossi Rio Grande might interest you, I have one in 45 70 and I prefer it to the Marlin that I used to own, although I think Rossi's QC is as sketchy as Marlin.
 
I recently picked up a Marlin 1894 44MAG from the EE, it's the mate to my S&W 29-2 in 44MAG.

45-70 would be a POWERHOUSE! Enjoy!

Cheers
Jay

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paul792 said:
Chiappa makes a few models in a handy size. Check out Wanstalls. I have no experience with them but I remember a thread on here blasting the finish quality of them.
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It's not the finish. Chiappa spends TOO MUCH time and effort on the finish and selection of wood. If they would only match that up with care and attention to the insides then they would have a winning combination. Or if they divert some of "our" money from the outside appearance to the inside quality it might be that they were worth the asking price.

Advoc, if you're truly after a .45-70 Guide Gun then there is no other option than Marlin. At least not if you want the pistol grip style stock. The good news is that all the recent reports of the last couple of years suggest that they've got the QC issue turned around and are making good guns again. But otherwise I don't know of anyone else making a carbine length .45-70.

And just so you know these things with current jacketed hunting ammo slug your shoulder like a mule kick, OK?
 
For marlin I'd take an older one, before 2007. After year they closed the North Haven factory, put in inexperienced worker and started working on guns without the blueprints. They are remaking blueprints for the lever gun, and QC is maybe better than the last few years but I'd still take an older one over them. The older one were made by hands with old technology.
However if you plan to shoot cast bullets, the micro-groove rifling is a little picky. In that case I would get an even older marlin.
 
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