Marlin 1895SBL any other choice?

MASHBY

MASHBY

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Hi all,
Just wondered if I could get some knowledgble advice.

I would love to get a Marling 1895SBL however with their reputation for build quality at the moment I realy dont fancy paying $1000 for a rifle then spend more getting my local smith to sort it out.
So I just wondered what other choices are out there in a 45 70 or larger that are either semi auto or lever with at least a 4 shot magazine? With a shortish barrell.

Thanks
Matt
 
It's starting to sound like Remington's finally got their poop in a group and QC issues aren't as bad as they were. The 1895 SBL is the stainless, large-loop; they also make a blued version (GBL) that keeps the 6-round mag and loses the picatinny rail. That's what I've got; I ordered a dovetail insert to replace the rear buckhorn sight, and a set of XS Ghost Rings to mount on the rear scope mount and replace the front sight. Works like a charm. Henry now has a .45-70 lever action that Cabela's has listed, has the same XS Ghost Ring set I've put on mine, but no oversized lever and only a 4-round capacity. 18.5 inch barrel.

I got my GBL from Ellwood Epps- they list at $650; the Henry is at Wholesale starting at $700. Upgrades for the Marlin are cheap, and most can be done by yourself. I pimped mine out with parts from Brownells- easy to bring up by keeping each order under $100; I think the only thing I ordered (which I ended up not needing) was an oversize loop lever (I was going to build what I wanted out of a standard 1895G until the GBL came along). A new trigger was under $100 and worth every penny; a set of springs, a new ejector and the dovetail insert pretty much rounded things out. The XS Ghost Rings are also highly recommended unless you want to scope it. Everything was easy to do on my own; no gunsmith needed as the parts were all drop-in. Go ahead with the Marlin would be my recommendation.
 
If possible I would recommend going to a store and actually handling one to check it out yourself.
I ignored all of the Marlin nay-sayers on these forums, bought myself a 336C 30-30Win Lever and I love the gun. For the price it is well built, the fit and finish were very good, and I have had no issues with it at all. The action wasn't silky smooth from the factory but a few hundred cycles of the lever and it is just fine (a person could also disassemble it and polish the action).

I have been looking at the 1895SBL also, and plan to get one soon.
 
I am happy with my new Remington made Marlin 1894, so I am going to look at a Marlin 1895 GS myself. However, I won't order one, I will purchase it in person, so that I can look it over carefully first.
 
I bought a guide gun a few months ago and am loving it so far i cant find any thing wrong with it
 
In your opinions is there more value in a pre Remington 1895G then?
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If the Remington made rifle looks and functions fine, then to me, there is no more value in the pre Remington rifle. However, that certainly won't stop sellers from asking considerably more for those pre Remington rifles.
 
If it is an alternative to the Marlin 1895 you are looking for, the Rossi Rio Grande comes in blued or stainless with the big loop and is competitively priced. I have one (recent - stainless) but haven't shot it much yet. Seems quite nice and they come in under 6 pounds. My Marlin 1895 is, however, a more substantially built rifle.
 
I bought a Marlin 1895 GBL brand new this year from EPPS, and I have found very little to complain about. I still recommend that you either order from EPPS or another reputable dealer that inspects them before listing them, or handle it yourself in the shop before buying. But from what I've heard, it seems Remington has sorted themselves out and are turning out a more or less decent product again. Now I just wish Marlin made a 336 lever in .38-55 or .375 Win in the same configuration as the .45-70 GBL or SBL. I would buy one of those in a heartbeat!
 
just picked up a GBL from EPPS last week. checked out great, and the wood fits up fine with no gaps. cycles and shoots fine, no complaints. Maybe they got the remlins working now
 
just picked up a GBL from EPPS last week. checked out great, and the wood fits up fine with no gaps. cycles and shoots fine, no complaints. Maybe they got the remlins working now
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+1
My Remington made 1894 has equal fit and finish compared to my pre Remington 308MX.
 
Good advice here. Handle one before buying.

I love my GBL 45/70 from Williams Arms in Fall 2010. Put an XS Sights rail on it, using a Burris Fastfire III. Great for deer and moose here in Ontario. Great trigger right out of the box.
 
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