Marlin 1895 "guide gun" opinion

steamy teabag

steamy teabag

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I would appreciate any feedback or thoughts on this particular rifle. I am looking for a decent bush gun I can carry while fishing in remote camps, hiking the Eastern Slopes, and wilderness camping. Mostly interested in bear defense and perhaps taking deer, elk, bear and moose in the future with it.

Feedback appreciated by any owners of this type of firearm.
 
I almost bought one this year. And I can tell you it's a nice little gun, I would love one, and might eventually buy one for packing when going camping in bear and moose country. My Dad is also planning on buying one too for when he goes hiking and picture taking in heavy bear country.

The only thing I wish they would've changed is a pistol grip stock instead of the straight grip. I found a Marlin in 45-70 that was exactly the same as my 336C. So it had the pistol grip and a 20" barrel. I love my .35 so I'd recommend looking for one of those. I saw it at a gun show.
 
They are not that light. I like mine as do many here, it will surly kill a bear if u need. There are a thousand bear defence threads and even more opinions on what u need. Bears are not hard to kill or run off. Good luck
 
I have the 1895 Model, the one with the 20" barrel and pistol grip stock. We have shot it side by side with the guide gun.
Not a whale of a lot of difference in them, including recoil and you will not notice any difference in weight.
I too, like the pistol grip and I prefer that model over the guide gun.
Either would be a good choice.
 
I have a real hankerin for an 1895 SBL. I like the pistol grip, large loop, and integrated rail for a scout scope if so inclined. It is on my 2010 wish list. :D

zoom_1895sbl.jpg
 
I love my 1895G. It is short (18.5 barrel) which is good for the thick bush I hunt in. It is great to carry and could very easily be a great saddle gun.

For a 'bush gun' they are very accurate, Marlins' 1/20 twist ballard cut rifling handles 300gr to 550grain bullets, cast or jacketed, so loading options are many. Mine prints 1 inch groups @ 100 with a few different loads, my best was 1 inch 1/8 at 150 yards with skinner peep sights. I've mainly used 350gr Hornady bullets which have taken deer, bears, moose, no problem. Hardcast bullets (with wide flat noses) are good too and will shoot thru a bear lengthwise, I've used a 420gr Jae bok young's 'crater lite' bullet @ 1750fps to drop a bear this past spring. dropped him.

Midway usa has lots of bullet reviews (.458 has 6 pages of bullets with useful reviews) from customers, if yout decide to reload that will give you an idea of some of the bullets out there.

Its an even funner gun to load down and enjoy 'plinking' with 400grain bullets @ 1200fps. light and easy to shoot and accurate to boot.

If you get one you'll enjoy it.

Cheers

Seabass
 
Just bought my guide gun last week. Haven't shot it yet, but have shot identical rifle's and am very impressed. Accurate, a joy to carry, and not too bad on the shoulder. Can't wait to get this gun making some noise!
 
Marlin "Guide Gun"

Saw one posted here some months back ...it was very much like a "Mare's Laig" that is ...short barrel ...short stock ...are they readily available like that or is it a "custom" gun?...something like that would be an ideal wilderness "brush gun"
I'd buy one in a heartbeat !
 
It's stock except for a limbsaver pad, xs ghost rings and pic rail, scout scope with qrw bases.
4570002.jpg


It's an awesome rifle, you won't be dissapointed if you buy one, if I had the money I'd buy an SBL.
 
Last edited:
Canadian Bob said:
Saw one posted here some months back ...it was very much like a "Mare's Laig" that is ...short barrel ...short stock ...are they readily available like that or is it a "custom" gun?...something like that would be an ideal wilderness "brush gun"
I'd buy one in a heartbeat !
Click to expand...

the Marlin Guide Gun is 100% stock. 18.5" barrel, straight grip. was made to be a brush gun, and designed for fast shouldering/follow-up shots... here's a video posted by another CGN'er CampCook on youtube

[youtube]5XCB4A911SM[/youtube]
 
I had one and sold it. Full power loads are tough to shoot and the action is not that great. Slow for me to use. I would prefer a 18-20 inch barreled bolt gun in 458 or something. And just as light as the GG. My GG was used on a mulie buck and one elk. Not impressive on elk but in the end I ate it. My non braked 416 Rigby was nicer to shoot and keep on target. But for the price of a blued one it is a handy gun for hiking and fishing.
 
I didn't like the straight grip stock. The lever whacked my fingers shooting stiff loads (56 grains of Varget & 400 grain Speer). I would go for the standard 1895 with pistol grip stock - better ergonomics.
 
i love my gs, but i want campcooks stocks. apparently he got the last ones marlin
sold to the public. correct me if iam wrong.
 
I bought an 1895G just before Christmas,and am happy with it.
Barrel's been bobbed to 19 inch's and it's got a straight stock.
I put 25 rds. thru it on boxing day and really enjoyed it!
Next is a recoil pad....:D
 
My stainless Guide Gun is my favourite rifle to actually use. I even like the english stock on it. For the places I tread, I prefer iron sights. I may add a ghost ring someday. I highly recommend this rifle for forested areas.
 
I've got a stainless guide gun and love it. Its not very light weight but because it is short carys very well. It is without a doubt the best bush gun I have in my collection. I wouldn't trade it for the world.
 
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