Just Bought A Marlin 1895GBL .45-70 Government I Need Advice On Multiple Things?

A

adn258

New member
So I've always wanted the 1895gbl chambered in .45-70. I finally bought one. I was hesitant to get one but I finally decided I would. One of the main reasons I hesitated buying one is because I had heard a lot of bad things about Marlin quality ever since they were taken over by Remington.

I have talked to a couple of people though in the past year and they have told me that Remington has finally got their act together and ever since late 2014 they have started to build decent quality firearms again but that many of the models made between 2010-early 2014 are junk in terms of quality. So this leads me to my first question. Have they actually started to build good Firearms again? The model that I just bought is brand new and it is supposed to be at least late 2014 (probably 2015) in terms of when it was made.

The main reason I bought this gun is not only because I've always wanted one but because they are legendary in terms of bear hunting/protection. This leads me to my next question; what is a good ammo to use for bear protection that the gun will handle?

I already know that heavy high grain hard cast flat bullets provide the best penetration and therefore good bear protection. I'm more curious about what the the gun can handle efficiently and safely?. I was researching a type of ammo called Hammerheads which go all the way up to a hard cast 500 Gr. bullets but are they safe to use?

Also will they cycle successfully? I've also heard of some decent ammo brands for the .45-70 that are like 350 gr and they would still probably do fine. What is your opinion on all of this? Thanks for your help guys!
 
I carry Garrett's 420 Hammerheads in my Marlin on every ATV outing on the desert or up in the mountains.

I don't see a need for anything heavier.
Denis
 
Have they actually started to build good Firearms again? The model that I just bought is brand new and it is supposed to be at least late 2014 (probably 2015) in terms of when it was made.
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I honestly, truly wish I could answer that question for you, from personal experience.

But, I cannot.

When Remington announced that they had invested in all new tooling and machinery to bring back the big bore lever guns, I had mixed feelings ...but one of them was hope. When they announced that the Model 444 (.444 Marlin and the "daddy" of the modern 1895) was going to have two production runs in 2014, I was excited and placed an order at my local shop. If it was good, I would keep it. If it was crap, I'd simply refuse the rifle.

Several other members of the Marlin Owners 444 forum also placed orders.

But, not a single one of us has seen one of the new rifles, nor can we find a shop that received any. Remington swears they shipped the rifles twice in 2014, but no one has seen a new 444. And, none of us has gotten our hands on a new 1895, either.

So, we have no idea what we'll be in for when our 444s arrive (IF they ever arrive).


I have read online that quality is much better now, but I just can't get a feel for what "much better" works out to, unless it's in my own hands.
 
I've always used 300 gr factory ammo. Ther's a good choice out there. Some loaded with premium bullets .Great performance ,less recoil . I like Barnes all copper or Swift A-frame. www.Corbon has a new one a 350gr Swift A-frame at 1900 fps .I would be happy using that one even for nasty Brown bear !!
45-70, one bullet, one deer !!:D
 
I've used plenty of Buffalo Bore 430 gr hardcast in my 1895. My gun has the older micro grooves, but I've never had a problem with this ammo. It's a stout round, but I grew up duck hunting with a 12 gauge so the recoil doesn't bother me. I know this round has taken a lot of dangerous game in Africa, and bison here in the PNW.

Buffalo Bore also makes a 500 gr round but I've never used it.
 
Is there any way to note by serial numbers, the year of manufacture? To my way of thinking, how do you know the gun you purchase if March 2015 was made in late 2014 (or 2015 for that matter)?
 
Manufacture date can be determined just like any other Remington...

Two letter code stamped on left side of barrel next to the receiver...
 
Thanks for the date info. Now, the big question, were the problems addressed sufficiently to believe the late date Marlins have returned to earlier quality levels?
 
I have been hunting hogs and deer with the same gun you just bought for over five years. The gun works and performs great! Very accurate!
No matter what ammo I use, I don't have to reset the scope. I know this sounds crazy but its true!
I can go from a PPU SJFP 405Gr to a Hornady 325Gr FTX and never touch the scope! This is one gun Ill never sell!
 
What year did Remington acquire Marlin what year did Remington shout down and move the Marlin manufacturing facility?
 
Is there any way to note by serial numbers, the year of manufacture?
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Manufacture date can be determined just like any other Remington...

Two letter code stamped on left side of barrel next to the receiver...
Click to expand...


I wasn't aware that they had changed. On the Marlin produced rifles the DOM could be determined by subtracting the 1st 2 digits of the SN from 100. For example if the 1st two digits are 98, the gun was made in 02. That might be a good way to determine if it is a Marlin manufactured rifle or Remington.

I've always wanted one but because they are legendary in terms of bear hunting/protection.
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With good loads the 45-70 will stop a bear. I wouldn't call it legendary, nor would a Marlin 45-70 be near the top of my list for such use and I owned several over a nearly 40 year period.

The round had a short run with the military during the indian wars in the 1870's and 1880's. It was never used for buffalo hunting and was considered too light for anything larger than deer. When introduced the 30-30 was considered much more powerful. By the 1890's it was all but dead and it lay dormant for almost 100 years until revived by Marlin in the 1970's. Most of the 45-70's legend is based on colorful advertising by Marlin in the 1970's.

With modern hot loads it is now a legitimate bear stopper, but at a cost. Traditional and mid level loads have tolerable recoil and are a great choice for someone wanting to hunt with a big bore lever action. Once you get into loads suitable for stopping a bear attack recoil is brutal from the relatively lightweight Marlins. Almost double the recoil of 300 WM and a fair bit less than a 375 magnum.

In actual tests a 30-06 loaded with 200-220 gr bullets has proven to out penetrate 45-70. If more power is needed 375's beat both, and with less recoil than hot 45-70 loads. Even the best lever actions won't match a bolt gun for reliability too.
 
I wasn't aware that they had changed. On the Marlin produced rifles the DOM could be determined by subtracting the 1st 2 digits of the SN from 100. For example if the 1st two digits are 98, the gun was made in 02. That might be a good way to determine if it is a Marlin manufactured rifle or Remington.
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For a time after the move, Remington was using up parts from the acquisition...This meant some guns were a 'hodgepodge' of parts, and time periods...Some guns came from Ilion with North Haven roll stamped barrels, Marlin serials, etc...

Once they got in the swing they moved to the new MR serial prefix and barrel date codes...

Nothing is to say that early Remington built guns are not still in distributor warehouse, or on dealers shelves as "New"...

Old page for Remington date code:

http://www.remingtonsociety.com/rsa/questions/barrelcodes

Add:

H=2013
I=2014
J=2015
 
Thanks for all the awesome info and help guys and I appreciate the ammo suggestions. I'm a bit concerned about when my rifle was made. As far as the serial numbers go the prefix is MR on mine.

After doing some research on this apparently MR is what Remington required Marlin to use after taking them over and it means it's a 2011 or newer gun. This tells you very little otherwise.

I'm going to try and call them on Monday. If the gun isn't at least late 2014 to 2015 it's going to be taken back immediately.

If it is a late model early 2015 gun (as I suspect that it is) I will take it out shooting and let you guys know what I think of the initial quality. I admit that taking it out shooting once is limited but at least I can give you guys my first initial impressions of the newest model 1895s
 
First...check it out from stem to stern.
Inspect it as you would an unknown provenance rifle at a gun show...as in, METICULOUSLY.

Check the action, it should feel stiff (new), but not unreasonably so. They wear in.
Those butter-smooth older Marlins are simply well-used Marlins...they all start a bit stiff.
If you have a couple snap caps (which you should), insert & run 'em thru the action.
Check the bolt & fp as best you can, should be rust-free and smooth. No pits on mating surfaces.
Check the fit & finish. Check to see if the barrel is in proper alignment & the front sight is in line.

Some of the 2011-2014 were perfectly fine...some weren't.
Most that had issues were rather obvious from the first time you moved the lever.
This is why I use snap caps to test...they cycle, and you can test the trigger without peeving off the seller.
just make sure they know you are using 'em or they might freak for a sec ;)
 
If the gun isn't at least late 2014 to 2015
it's going to be taken back immediately.
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No.

See HERE.
Perfectly fine GBL in the 2012 period.

postscript: There's not much on this continent that's going to stand up to a 425gr FlatNose bullet going 1,500-1,600fps.
Don't overdo trying to turn that 45-70 Marlin into a 458 Winchester.
`Tain't needed (and hurts in a light rifle to boot.)
 
Once they got in the swing they moved to the new MR serial prefix and barrel date codes...
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I have read that countless times, and there's never any note of anything but "MR"; but I have to wonder how many other prefixes are in use. ...Because the X7s were supposed to be "MR" rifles, as well; but I have two Remlin X7s that both have "MM" prefixes. :confused:
 
I have read that countless times, and there's never any note of anything but "MR"; but I have to wonder how many other prefixes are in use. ...Because the X7s were supposed to be "MR" rifles, as well; but I have two Remlin X7s that both have "MM" prefixes.
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What does the roll stamp on the barrel say, and is there a date code on the barrel?
 
I also agree that there is no need to return the OPie's gun if there is no glaring issue/s...

As noted, there were some fine 1895's made, and the 336's and 1895's never had the same issues as the 1894's...

After doing some research on this apparently MR is what Remington required Marlin to use after taking them over and it means it's a 2011 or newer gun. This tells you very little otherwise.

I'm going to try and call them on Monday. If the gun isn't at least late 2014 to 2015 it's going to be taken back immediately.
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When you call with the serial number, they tell you that the date code oin the barrel is what they need...

Save the long distance charge, and just read it yourself...
 
Hey guys So SalmonEye I've checked the gun up and down and everywhere between for a date code and I can't find one anywhere. I don't mean to sound naive here because I could be wrong, but to my knowledge there isn't one on this gun anywhere.

That said I did call Marlin Firearms today and they said they couldn't tell me the exact month it was produced but that it was produced sometime in 2014. I hope it is of quality.

Big Shrek I really appreciate your help friend. I unfortunately don't have any snap caps for the 45-70 but I suppose I should get some.

I have however already field stripped the major components, visually inspected them, and cleaned off the factory oil dust etc. as you should do with any gun before firing the first time.

My impressions of the parts seem sound and the gun lever etc. seems to be fine and relatively smooth but not too smooth. (normal).

What should I do haha? I think only time will tell by firing the gun etc.
 
If fit & finish are acceptable, the gun will chamber a round, and the action will cycle, just go shoot it & see how it groups.

No sense in being completely bound to acceptance or rejection based solely on year of manufacture. :)
Denis
 
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