Marlin 1895 GS vs SBL

DealHunter

New member
So thinking of finally adding a .45-70 to the stable and I know I want a stainless model. It sounds like the Remlins have finally gotten to an appropriate level of quality so I'm thinking new.

My question stands as: is the SBL worth about 200-250 more over the GS model? My understanding is you get a laminate stock (pistol vs. straight), XS sights, pic. rail on top, big loop lever and extended mag tube. You also increase weight. Not sure I care that much about the loop size (regular works for me) or pic rail (no plans to scope). I have other Marlins w. the regular sights and while not target class they do work. Are the XS sights and extra mag capacity worth it as such (price and weight increase)?

Thanks for any input! :)
 
Im a proud owner if the SBL. Let me tell you, it knows how to lay out a pig. 45-70 is a just a beast of a round.

My reasoning for for buying that particular one was I was also in the market for a 45-70. I really liked the look of the SBL. The grey stock, large loop, and the picatinny rail just all flowed nicely together. To be honest I prefer buckhorn sights. I was never a fan of the ghost rings, but to be fair I never gave them a good try. I learned quickly that when you are shooting a round that big, and it lands in the shoulder area of the animal, that varmint is going down. So ive come to enjoy it. I never really planned to ever put a scope on this gun. Something about having to get down on a scope with that powerful of a gun, just seems like your asking for a black eye ;), but I like having the option of adding one if need be. As far as the longer mag tube, like the picatinny, its nice to have the option. Ive never really needed more than 3 shots in a row when I was out hunting with it and that was cause there were multiple pigs to kill.

All in all it comes down to what your prefer. Buckhorn vs ghost ring, pistol grip vs regular, stock color, lever type, and if you want the extra bullet room. Ive hunted with it many times, has yet to fail me, and is still one of my go to.

Good luck.
 
Thanks for the info!

Figured I'd ask as well in the same thread, anyone have any experience w. the R92 Rossi model 92 clones in 454? Perhaps how it would compare to an 1895G in terms of power and felt recoil?

I know they make a stainless model w. 8 round mag (not that important) but it is under 5lbs. I ask since I already have 3 revolvers in the caliber (2 SRHs and a S&W 460) and I do like the rifle/handgun combo for some reason...
 
I love my SBL

Suppressed45-70.jpg


as you can see I got it suppressed. Its very cool to see a deer fall to a round that sounded no louder than a loud clap. The round is a 550 grain subsonic bullet. It has over 1000 Foot LBS of energy at 250 yards.

Thats pretty impressive for a subsonic round! For sound I would say its more quiet than a subsonic 300 Black out From a semiauto rifle. Though I would imagine a bolt action 300 BO would be quieter than my Marlin.
 
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