How's the Marlin Cowboy?

aric84

aric84

CGN Regular
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Location
Kanata/Ottawa
I'm looking to get myself a good all-round hunting rifle and am leaning towards the Marlin 1895 cowboy. Love the look of it and the round will take care of anything I will be hunting. Who here has them and what do you think of them? I'm hoping the newer ones will be as good quality as before from the new plant, but we will see!

Oh, and pics are always great, I can never find any good close photos of this rifle.

Cheers,
Aric
 
New Marlins

Do yourself a HUGE favour and inspect very closely what you intend to buy from the new REMLIN line.....I purchased mine new online, sight unseen, and it's been nothing but a warranty nightmare. My original purchase was an 1895 45/70 which was quickly sent back because of sight alignment and ammo feeding issues.....Gravel Agency tells me the problems can't be fixed and they will be replacing the rifle. I'm fine with that.....but the new replacement rifle I received today is a mess....the stock fit is horrible and I can't feed a single round into the mag tube, it's jamming up.....I had to put the gun away and walk away, I was so disgusted.....
Like I initially said....if you REALLY want a Marlington, inspect it first.....I didn't have that luxury, and now I'm deeply regretting it
 
Thanks for the heads up, I will definitely take a close look at one when I am ready to buy. My local range is getting a price on one for me and they can bring one in, I will also wait until Lebaron's gets some in at the end of the month.

This is the kind of hands on I'm looking for. Hopefully this shipment is better!
 
Marlin

You're welcome......
I hate bashing Marlin, the levers of old are my favourite....but these things they're trying to pass on to us are garbage compared to the slick working mans gun made before the takeover.....
I know there are other opinions here which will certainly differ from mine, but my opinion at the moment of these new guns is very low.....a sad day:(
 
My Marlin Cowboy is older, about 5 years or so and has been an excellent rifle and not thick and clunky like some models are, with heavy loads there is no shortage of recoil, but I've run some very heavy loads through it. It is one of my "go to" rifles for hunting, i don't know if this is much help as i can't comment on the Remington ownership guns. Maybe you should look for a used one(but not mine!!).
 
I have one and have never had any problems with it. Like ben hunchak mine is probably 5 or so years old. Bought it used from a CGNer abotu 4 years ago. Haven't shot anythign with it yet but it fed well at the range and shot pretty reasonably.
 
If I were you I would put up an ad in the EE, you will find one in time. It wasn't that long ago that there were quite a few for sale right here and in the end you will probably save some money.

Here are my older 1894 and 1895 Marlins:

IMG_0654.jpg
 
Very nice rifles!

I'm going to drop in at one of the other local stores as they have a Marlin 1895GBL listed and would like to check it out if it's in stock. Thanks for the help guys, going to start saving my pennies.
 
Marlins are fantastic, love my older 1894 44 mag. Even the new Remlin GBL was a great gun although I just sold it in favor of a Browning BPS and a new Marlin factory 1895 Cowboy.
 
Well, I have a line on an 1895 on consignment for $550. Its the pistol grip version and has only seen 1 box of ammo apparently. The guy behind the counter said the seller is a frequent buyer/seller and would be surprised if he even shot it that much as the rifle still looks new.

If it's a good price(not sure as I can't seem to find selling prices on similar models) I may go back and take a closer look.
 
[QUOTE
Here are my older 1894 and 1895 Marlins:

IMG_0654.jpg
[/QUOTE]

Davey,

I just received my new 1895 (Cowboy) in .357 mag. When cleaning the barrel I noticed that the dovetail securing the loading tube near the end of the barrel moved substantially. I contacted Marlin and they stated this was normal now. Although I called BS on that statement, I really have nothing else to gauge it by. They tried to tell me something about the "free-floating barrel" and "accuracy". I took it to a gunsmith and he noted that while it will harm the gun, it is usual. The retaining ring on the wood forearm prevents any real movement.

My question...do the magazine tubes wiggle on your rifles by more than 1/16" to the right? To the left it snuggles up tight just off of centre of the barrel.
 
sobo, sorry I missed your post. I think you mean that you have the 1894 Marlin Cowboy.

Yes, the front dovetail that holds the mag tube in place is floating on the 1895CB that I have. It snugs up when the screw is tightened down but the mag tube does still have some movement side to side. On my 1894 the front mag tube dovetail is tighter but still has the same side to side movement when the screw is tightened. I wouldn't worry too much about it, the mag tube isn't going anywhere as long as the screws are in place and tight. Shoot it and have fun!

They tried to tell me something about the "free-floating barrel" and "accuracy".
Click to expand...

I would have to agree with what they told you. If when you tighten everything down, the mag tube is tight and has no movement whatsoever, there is pressure being added to the barrel somewhere. Enough to affect accuracy, you would have to experiment with that. From my experiences it does make a difference but how much depends on the rifle. The only way to find out for sure is to experiment with it.

I hope this helps :)
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the input Davey.

As an update, I tore the thing apart, and thought the dame thing, that tightening down the screw would tighten it up. The only thing restraining the tube was the band at the end of the handgrip. It really moved that far...I measured it to be about 1/8" or so. Took it to a gunsmith and he indicated that it looked like the dovetail was not fitted correctly, or wrong part.

The screw was about 0.030" too short and would not make contact with the barrel. He suggested I peen it at at dovetail (but that it would be noticeable) and secure with some JBL. Instead I peaned on the barrel side and gently guided the dovetail into the grove. It secured much better. THen I injected some JBL such that the peen would act as a recessed "stop" so to speak. Inserting the screw also squeezed the JBL such that the gap (yes there was a gap) between the dovetail and the barrel was filled. Since I am only shooting cowboy loads and the pressure is now indirect to the barrel (sort of), there should be minimal accuracy loss. Have not been out to the range yet (spring thaw here) but will see how she shoots.

Thanks again.
 
From my personal inspection of the new marlins I have to say STAY AWAY.... They are complete garbage. The action is crap the fit and finish is terrible. The checkering is stamped and looks like ####. The rifle has an awful feel to it all around. Only buy old marlins.
 
I bought an older 1895CB 45/70, unfired a while back, they are sweet. Kicked like a mule with the win factory 300 grain hp bullets. Much tamer with my 500gr handloads. Like someone suggested put an add in the EE and see what you get. Good luck.

Mine will be Deer hunting this fall. Maybe moose too!
Davey I like the gunrack carved in the fence rail!! Oh the poor groundhog.
 
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