Range report - recent batch 1895 Guide Gun

Papaclaude

Papaclaude

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For my 55th BD, my wife bought me (well, allowed me to buy) a new toy. I checked out several guns, and eneded up getting a late shipment 1895 Guide Gun. I made it out to the range today, and, man, is it a fun gun!!!!! I had to replace the sights with FireSights, in order for my old eyes to be able to aim, as I don't want to scope it if possible. Anyhow, I can shoot 2 1/2" to 3" groups with it consistently at 100 yds. off the rest. I'm sure the gun can do much better, but that's fine by me. The action is very smooth. The trigger is amazing. Crisp, smooth, and not too stiff at all. Handles like a charm. Not a single glitch. I fired 3 boxes of Lever Evolution 325's, and recoil is negligible (althoug I was wearing a good jacket.) The only negative it that phoquing lawyer safety - the one they put on just in case the half-####, which has been in use for over 400 years, is not good enough, but that's either coming off or an O-ring is going on.

Other than that, it's the most fun gun I've played with in over 25 years. The AK and M1 carbine in the pre-pinned mag days were in the same league. Anyhow, I would not hesitate to recommend this. I have not seen any of the ear;lier problem guns, but the 3 I looked at when I bought this one all seemed excellent, and I'm thrille with this one. It's not a target rifle, but then, it ain't meant to be.

Now, my only question is: is the 45-70 enough for bear defense?????????? I'm not sure if any bear defense threads have ever been created? Should I create one?7
 
I would say you already have created a bear defence thread!
And yes, let me be first to say it, a 45-70 is more than enough fire power for bear defence. Only I will go further and state a 45-70 is good bear defence, even using the factory loads, which are designed for weaker action trapdoor rifles, or handloads of similar power.
 
boss351cleveland said:
Well is it ok to buy Marlin again ? I heard after the Remington takeover quality went down the tubes . I always wanted a 45/70 guide gun but was scared off by the issues .
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I looked at 3 of them when I bought mine, and all were excellent. The guy at LeBaron's said that the last 2 or 3 batches they got were good. My son was told the same thing at Epps'. Fit and finish on mine are great, and it worked flawlessly. Now, mind you, you are not getting a new Winchester or a Browning BLR, but you're paying soemwhere near half the price. i did not see any of the early batch Marlintons, but my son did and he said some of them were horrible.
 
I shot one at a range day last June and was also impressed. It seems that Remington has quality control basically under control again. I too shot it very well....it fit like a glove. I haven't broke down and bought one yet but likely will....no real reason other than for a cool toy.
 
I bought one spring before last. Stainless steel guide gun, 45/70. Shot off about half a box of shells, noticed it was a bit sticky. Took it with me one day early summer to explore a potential moose hunting area. Filled the magazine, left the chamber empty. Encountered an aggressive bear. Pulled the lever down to load a cartridge into the chamber. The lever stuck in the down position, I could not budge it. Spent a very uncomfortable 10 minutes throwing rocks and swear words at the bear while backtracking to my quad. Started the quad, and the noise kept the bear back. After 5 more minutes working with a rock and a stick to unjam the gun (no success), left the area.
Sent the gun back to Gravel in Quebec. Got a note from them that gun was faulty, and that mine was one of many. Gun was replaced at no cost after an 8 month wait. I have yet to try the new gun. Not sure I will ever have confidence in it. As a long time trapper, hunter, and outdoors person I have had many bear encounters over the years. That was the first time I really thought I might be converted to bear poop.
 
cessna172 said:
I bought one spring before last. Stainless steel guide gun, 45/70. Shot off about half a box of shells, noticed it was a bit sticky. Took it with me one day early summer to explore a potential moose hunting area. Filled the magazine, left the chamber empty. Encountered an aggressive bear. Pulled the lever down to load a cartridge into the chamber. The lever stuck in the down position, I could not budge it. Spent a very uncomfortable 10 minutes throwing rocks and swear words at the bear while backtracking to my quad. Started the quad, and the noise kept the bear back. After 5 more minutes working with a rock and a stick to unjam the gun (no success), left the area.
Sent the gun back to Gravel in Quebec. Got a note from them that gun was faulty, and that mine was one of many. Gun was replaced at no cost after an 8 month wait. I have yet to try the new gun. Not sure I will ever have confidence in it. As a long time trapper, hunter, and outdoors person I have had many bear encounters over the years. That was the first time I really thought I might be converted to bear poop.
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I only fired 3 boxes today. Tried to give the lever as much of a workout as I could: easy, slow, fast, and it worked flawlessly. I've also put snap caps through it an awful lot of times, with no jams or failures. The only issue I had was that @#$@##@$ safety. It is definitely going to go. Not sure if I'm taking it right off and replacing it with a screw from Bear Tooth Mercantile, but I definitely don't want that thing to be "on" if I ever need the gun in a hurry.
 
Papaclaude said:
The only negative it that phoquing lawyer safety - the one they put on just in case the half-####, which has been in use for over 400 years, is not good enough, but that's either coming off or an O-ring is going on.
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They sell a bolt that replaces the safety. Google Clyde Ludwig cross bolt safety replacement.


Now, my only question is: is the 45-70 enough for bear defense?????????? I'm not sure if any bear defense threads have ever been created? Should I create one?7
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As others have eluded to, absolutely! It's also an easy caliber to reload for, allowing you to use the 45-70 to it's maximum of it's capability. All commercial ammo for the 45-70 have very low pressure compared to what the modern firearms are designed for.
 
Papaclaude said:
Now, my only question is: is the 45-70 enough for bear defense?????????? I'm not sure if any bear defense threads have ever been created? Should I create one?7
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Sorry, according to my Speers reloading manual the 45-70 loads in modern lever-action are not capable of achieving sufficient penetration to kill large bears......although it considers the 7 rem mag capable of it........
 
HammerHeade said:
Sorry, according to my Speers reloading manual the 45-70 loads in modern lever-action are not capable of achieving sufficient penetration to kill large bears......although it considers the 7 rem mag capable of it........
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BS.
lupo_elephant.jpg


http://forty5seventy.wordpress.com/woodleigh-bullets/

ebone2.jpg

Elephant rear femur bone – one of the hardest bones in the body

http://www.chuckhawks.com/45-70_big_game_hunter.htm
 
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Follow-up:

i tried the tip I got from someone here regarding using a 1/4" O-ring over the "lawyer safety" rather than opening the gun up to remove it or tightening the set screw in the action. It works great. Cost: about 12 cents. Time to install: 3 sec.
 
sorry for the highjack....just curious if anyone knows where I can buy fiber optic front sight insert that would go with Williams peep sight?
 
Jabol said:
sorry for the highjack....just curious if anyone knows where I can buy fiber optic front sight insert that would go with Williams peep sight?
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What height do you need? Brownell's have several Firesights that should fit, as the front is a standard 3/8 dovetail, AFAIK.
 
I've owned 4 1895 Marlins including one of the original Guide Guns with the "ports" -- that was a very BAD idea!
All others were the Classics with 22" barrels, and ALL would shoot MOA with hot handloads. Shot my best bear with one at 100 yards, and I've shot more than a few. The 405 Rem bullet is a great choice when handloaded at 1800 to 2000 fps.

Bob

www.bigbores.ca
 
LeBaron may have one.
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i asked at LeBaron, they don't and don't carry those. They only carry a few magnetic clip on type fiber optics for shotguns to replace the brass bead. I might try at Bass Pro though.

I got this one as part of a kit (the cutaway hood as well) from Wild West Guns.
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Very cool, is it higher than the original insert? Does it go with williams peep? How hard is it to knock out the original insert? I have steel punches but I fear I might mar the whole thing so I might have to get a brass punch. Is the brass punch worth it for this little job?
 
Papaclaude said:
What height do you need? Brownell's have several Firesights that should fit, as the front is a standard 3/8 dovetail, AFAIK.
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Gosh, I have no clue what I need. I know I have a williams peep sight that mounts on the top of the receiver. I read the original front inserts are OK with Williams peep sight but I would like something that is more visible. My eyes are getting old. I suppose the original heights should suffice. What is the hight of the original insert?
 
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