Scout mount on Marlin 1895 GS, suggestions please

geologist

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I can't believe that I want to do this but I am thinking about scout mounting a compact LER scope on my Marlin 1895 GS.

It'll be for rainy day muley hunting in BC with Lever Revolution 45-70 ammo.

I'm thinking about using a no gunsmith XS Lever Scout Mount. Any opinions on this piece of kit or alternative suggestions for a scout mount base? Does anyone know of a retailer for the XS mount?

I'd also appreciate recommendations for a good low power fixed or variable LER hunting scope for this setup. I plan on using low Warne Maxima QD rings so that I can use my Wild West ghost ring sights if necessary.

Any suggestions, recommendations or even ridicule :slap: will be appreciated.
 
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Hey Geologist,

You are not alone!... I bought an XS Scout mount for both my Winchester 94, and my Guide Gun. I've only installed the Winchester Kit at this point, and... Well; Initially, I was quite impressed. However, I did not follow the complete instructions as they detailed that the rail has to be "epoxied" to the barrel between the front scope mount and the stanchion. This would be a mess, if I waned to remove the mount!...

The free floated mount worked well. However, after a couple of sessions, the bolt holding the rail down to the front stanchion broke, and rendered the mount unusable. (The bolt was hardened, so I could not drill it out of the stanchion.)

I am currently trying to mill my own front stanchion mount and possibly a less bulky rail than the XS one. I have had some luck modifying my little .44Mag saddle ring carbine in the same order with a slightly different scout mount that I made. If you are interested, I can post a picture for you. But my little .44Mag is now a very compact and light weight carbine with the best of both worlds in the traditional Jeff Cooper description of a Scout Carbine!... :)

If you are interested in a Marlin XS kit... Mines for sale! :)

Take care!

w.w.w.
 
There is a low priced, one piece Weaver mount that fits the holes that are drilled and tapped on your rifle. That is what I have used and it is ideal, with standard Weaver rings.
I have a 1.5 to 4.5 Bushnell 3200 on it, which I also consider about ideal.
 
There is a low priced, one piece Weaver mount that fits the holes that are drilled and tapped on your rifle. That is what I have used and it is ideal, with standard Weaver rings.
I have a 1.5 to 4.5 Bushnell 3200 on it, which I also consider about ideal.

Is that Weaver mount a scout? The 1.5 x 4.5 3200 would be a skookum rig. I have a 3x9 and it's been good.
 
I would like very much to see the set-up you decide on. Years ago when I got my Marlin 444S I mounted a 1.5x4.5 Bushnell Scope Chief VI using Weaver pivot mounts. This mount set-up gave me qiuck access to the open sights, should that need arise.

Marlin444S444.jpg


For punching paper and on Deer, Black Bear and Moose the combination worked well so when I got my 45-70 Marlin 1895GS, I went with the same mount and used a 1x4 Leupold VARI-X II. Again, it 'seems' to work well but with heavy 45-70 loads, a little more eye relief ;)would be welcome.

Marlin1895GS45-70.jpg
 
Never had a problem with my GS and a regular mount system. I love the 1-4 I have on it now.

I have a Wild West ghost ring sight on the receiver and would like to keep it as a backup/thick stuff/bad breath range/3 o'clock in the morning black bear raging through mining camp kinda thing. The scout mount and QD rings will let me have my cake and eat it too.
 
I've decided to go with the XS Scout mount. Thanks W-W-W!

I'm leaning towards a Burris 2.75x Scout scope. I may just try my Leupold VariX 1.5x5x20 on it but I doubt that it'll have enough eye relief.

Any other scope suggestions?

Anyone know of a retailer in Canada who sell the Burris scout scope?
 
Good choice, I had the same setup on a guide gun I owned a few yearsr back and it was great. You'll like it!

I just installed the long XS rail which comes with a front sight and a ghost ring rear sight. I plan on using my Leupold 1.5X5X20 on QD rings on it for when I want to be a marksman...

By the way I bought the rail from Brownell's a month ago when it was on sale for $100, thus not requiring an export permit, haha!
 
Thanks for the info guys. Peter at Rustywood has my 1895xlr right now and I asked him to get the XS Weaver backup to go on Weaver mounts.
1) What would be the deciding factor to get the "low weaver" or "tall weaver" backup? I'm guessing it's because you have either the low or tall weaver bases so what I'm really asking is why I would choose to get low or tall weaver bases.
2)My idea is to use the xlr with the bases and backup sights installed until I choose/can afford a good low power scope to go on there... thoughts?
If you can think of something I may not have considered please let me know.
 
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