Marlin 1895SBL, opinions?

Crazy Chaingun

Crazy Chaingun

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Hello all,

Thinking that the next rifle in the collection will be a Marlin Model 1895 SBL. Just wanted to get some opinions from folks who own/owned one.
I know Marlin had some QC issues immediately after the Remington buy-out, but from what I understand, those have been sorted out.

Realistically, I won't likely do much hunting with this one. It'll just be for target shooting/fun, and for bear situations if one were to occur while I'm at the fishing cabin on Lake Temiskaming.
 
They've sorted out most of the QC issues on the 1895's. Mine came with a loose front sight that was easily fixed with a screwdriver. It was an instant favorite out of the box. Buying one in person would be best, but you can always fall back on warranty through mail order. Gravel Agency is good to deal with for warranty.

Find a later model manufactured after 2015-2016
 
Put my deposit down today, I'll be glad to have this on hand while I'm in the boonies.
Anybody put a red dot on their's I'd potentially be open to putting something high-end on this at some point. Something super-rugged, which I can quickly acquire a target with.
 
going with a ghost ring on my GBL. lots of brush where I hunt. unbeatable stopping power. My action was fairly smooth when I bought it. After cycling it around 500-750 times (my wife was ready to slap me listening to that all night) and a few cleanings it smoothed right out. Enjoy it, great rifle
 
When the SBL was introduced I thought that it was about the ugliest, most tasteless and ridiculous rifle I had ever seen.

A couple years later I tried one, and quickly bought a used one (JM stamping). Not traditional, not a long-ranger...but a terrific and accurate hunting gun out to 250 or so, and a ton of fun to shoot. Far from traditional, but good enough that I no longer care! :)

I have it set up with a scout scope in QD rings, as well as an Aimpoint Micro in a QD mount. Works well either way. For your purposes (close range bear gun) I'd go with the Aimpoint.
 
Anyone have a preferred round/load for their SBL?
Rifle has arrived at the gun store, just need to pay off the rest of my layaway and pick up some ammo to sight in with.
 
Crazy Chaingun said:
Put my deposit down today, I'll be glad to have this on hand while I'm in the boonies.
Anybody put a red dot on their's I'd potentially be open to putting something high-end on this at some point. Something super-rugged, which I can quickly acquire a target with.
Click to expand...

I love my 1895. I put a Bushnell TRS-25 on it that works well.
 
I bought one recently. The function of the rifle is fine.

The fit however left much to be desired. For the price I paid, I got a laminate stock with areas of raw wood/splinter, with a cut for the action that was recessed in too far, leaving a razor-edge of wood along it. The lever was unpolished, with edges sharp enough to cut, as well as on the trigger.

A trip to my local gunsmith stoned and sanded down all the aggressive edges, but, for the price I paid that should have never happened in the first place.

I like the gun, though. I really am glad I finally bought one, now that I have it, and don't think I'll ever want to sell it. I was not however happy at all, that I paid that much money for a piece of equipment with a crappy finishing.
 
I bought mine last fall. Wanting a guide gun since they first came out. Curved grip definitely makes recoil more manageable than the straight stock. Inside is rough...no 2 ways. Took some tlc to make function smooth. Outside is fine.

One thing to note is I paid $150 more than I had to. That was in order to handle one in person. Local shop had 2. One had the front sight canted so far to the right the rail didnt fit properly. Mine was good.

Extremely accurate. Handles my hard cast fine. I shoot an NOE mould in 430 Ranch Dog. Apparently they don't make this style any longer, but they still make the 350 grain. I used Dominion 4198 (thanks can am). I hit 1700 fps. Could push a lot harder, but this is the best balance between penetration, economy, trajectory and recoil.

I am north of Timmins and my camp is a 35 km quad ride in from where we park the truck. Full faith in my new toy. Eyes are not what they were when I was 20, so a leoplod 2.5 makes picking shots out through the brush a might easier. Although those xs sights are the best aperture sights I have ever used. And I love my aperture sights.

Buy, load, enjoy. Just hand pick one.
 
Love mine. Functions without any issues and surprisingly accurate. I didn't like the peep sights so I put a leupold 1-4x20 heavy duplex and its just the perfect 100 yards brush gun

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