Which 45 70 lever would you get
- Thread starter bungiex88
- Start date
MarkDozier
New member
While not a fan of the guide gun given the 2 you mentioned I wold use the guide gun.
I had a Marlin 1895 (not the Guide Gun), for many years, and it gave me good service. Finally sold it a few years ago, as excess to my needs.
While a little heavier, it was only about an inch or so longer than the standard .30-30. However, 385gr bullets at 1800fps DO KICK!!!
With factory 405gr or equal, recoil isn't bad, and will knock any deer who ever walked flat.
Don't know anything about the Henry's, sorry.
While a little heavier, it was only about an inch or so longer than the standard .30-30. However, 385gr bullets at 1800fps DO KICK!!!
With factory 405gr or equal, recoil isn't bad, and will knock any deer who ever walked flat.
Don't know anything about the Henry's, sorry.
have you seen this?
http://www.chuckhawks.com/compared_marlin1895G_henry45-70.htm
Granted, it's still just one guy's impression's but it gives a few factual comparisons. For example, he likes the Marlin better for the shorter stock length. I personally like a longer stock.
While there are different variations of the Marlin, the most common one seems to have a straight stock, while the Henry has more of the pistol grip you'd find on most hunting rifles. The pistol grips are generally considered a little better for recoil management, but carrying a gun in a ready position, a straight stock feels better to me.
I own a Marlin. The trigger was decent, but for $90, the Wild West trigger (which is easy to install) made it really nice with a pull weight of about 2.5#. I don't know how easy it is to improve a Henry trigger or how good they are to begin with.
If you plan to stick with iron sights, the Henry comes with a ghost ring setup while the Marlin comes with buckhorn sights. I would choose the ghost rings between the two, but they are intended more for fast target acquisition than precision aiming, so a person may still want smaller apertures if longer distances are covered. I don't care for the fact that the Henry's front sight is part of the barrel band, because it pretty much eliminates the option to change the front sight to something else, such as a fiber optic.
XS, Skinner, Williams, and probably a couple other companies make nice aperture and front sights for the Marlin. The Marlin can also be easily equipped with a scout rail if you'd ever want to use a scout scope. I don't know about the Henry. Standard scopes are easy to put on either gun.
Newer Marlins have the cross-bolt safety that some purists dislike. I'm okay with it, and I don't think it detracts from the looks of the gun too much. A person who really doesn't want it can take it out and fill the space with something like this.
The Henry has no extra safety device aside from the hammer with a transfer bar system.
One of the bigger differences may be that the Marlin has a side loading gate on the receiver while the Henry loads from the muzzle end of the magazine tube. Maybe it's just what I'm used to, but I prefer the side loading option.
Finally, current production Henry's probably have a better reputation for quality than current production Marlins, but my Marlin is older, so I can't personally comment on it. Henry's also are known for smooth actions.
Overall, I would chose the Marlin based on design features and readily available aftermarket parts. But I might feel more confident in the fit, finish, and smooth function of new Henrys compared to new Marlins.
http://www.chuckhawks.com/compared_marlin1895G_henry45-70.htm
Granted, it's still just one guy's impression's but it gives a few factual comparisons. For example, he likes the Marlin better for the shorter stock length. I personally like a longer stock.
While there are different variations of the Marlin, the most common one seems to have a straight stock, while the Henry has more of the pistol grip you'd find on most hunting rifles. The pistol grips are generally considered a little better for recoil management, but carrying a gun in a ready position, a straight stock feels better to me.
I own a Marlin. The trigger was decent, but for $90, the Wild West trigger (which is easy to install) made it really nice with a pull weight of about 2.5#. I don't know how easy it is to improve a Henry trigger or how good they are to begin with.
If you plan to stick with iron sights, the Henry comes with a ghost ring setup while the Marlin comes with buckhorn sights. I would choose the ghost rings between the two, but they are intended more for fast target acquisition than precision aiming, so a person may still want smaller apertures if longer distances are covered. I don't care for the fact that the Henry's front sight is part of the barrel band, because it pretty much eliminates the option to change the front sight to something else, such as a fiber optic.
XS, Skinner, Williams, and probably a couple other companies make nice aperture and front sights for the Marlin. The Marlin can also be easily equipped with a scout rail if you'd ever want to use a scout scope. I don't know about the Henry. Standard scopes are easy to put on either gun.
Newer Marlins have the cross-bolt safety that some purists dislike. I'm okay with it, and I don't think it detracts from the looks of the gun too much. A person who really doesn't want it can take it out and fill the space with something like this.
The Henry has no extra safety device aside from the hammer with a transfer bar system.
One of the bigger differences may be that the Marlin has a side loading gate on the receiver while the Henry loads from the muzzle end of the magazine tube. Maybe it's just what I'm used to, but I prefer the side loading option.
Finally, current production Henry's probably have a better reputation for quality than current production Marlins, but my Marlin is older, so I can't personally comment on it. Henry's also are known for smooth actions.
Overall, I would chose the Marlin based on design features and readily available aftermarket parts. But I might feel more confident in the fit, finish, and smooth function of new Henrys compared to new Marlins.
Last edited:
Mike Irwin
Staff
I have a serious jonsing for the Marlin 1895 Cowboy.
Don't know why, I just do.
Don't know why, I just do.
Capt Rick Hiott
New member
That's an easy one. MARLIN!!!
I have owned a marlin 1895 GBL for about five years now and will NEVER get rid of it. No matter what bullet I put in it (Brand or grain size) It will either hit the bulls eye at 100 yards or be real close to it. No B/S!
I have killed many hogs and deer with this rifle and have never had a problem with it.
GET THE MARLIN!!!
I have owned a marlin 1895 GBL for about five years now and will NEVER get rid of it. No matter what bullet I put in it (Brand or grain size) It will either hit the bulls eye at 100 yards or be real close to it. No B/S!
I have killed many hogs and deer with this rifle and have never had a problem with it.
GET THE MARLIN!!!
stubbicatt
New member
Though you didn't mention it, I would instead save my shekels and seek an 1886 Winchester, or clone. Lovely firearms.
Granted they are more expensive, but the quality is there.
Granted they are more expensive, but the quality is there.
Jim Watson
New member
A friend had one of the first run of 1895s with half magazine and "Conventional rifling for cast and jacketed bullets with any load recommended for 1886 Winchester."
I see no way to improve on it. Later models have had commercially attractive gimmicks like the short barrels with superfluous holes, but I like the original.
I see no way to improve on it. Later models have had commercially attractive gimmicks like the short barrels with superfluous holes, but I like the original.
Tackleberry1
Inactive
Here is mine!
Traded a Century Arms AK STRAIGHT across for this Marlin.
I really like the Marlin.
Tack
Hmm... Photo won't attach?
Traded a Century Arms AK STRAIGHT across for this Marlin.
I really like the Marlin.
Tack
Hmm... Photo won't attach?
Last edited:
I bought my 1st Marlin 45-70 in the mid 1970's, shortly after they were re-introduced. Sold my last one 6-7 years ago. I can't imagine owning anything but the Marlin or a Winchester, or one of the reproductions based on the Winchester. The Henry just leaves me cold.
They are a fun guns, but both the rifles and cartridge are very much over rated. When the 30-30 was introduced in 1895 it was considered more powerful at the time, and with traditional 45-70 loads it still is. The hotter, more powerful modern loads make it a legitimate large game round, but with excessive recoil out of proportion to its performance. If you really need to shoot big stuff there are better options with much less recoil.
One of my favorite quotes from a local gunshop owner "Everyone wants a 45-70..... Until they get one." He showed me a used Marlin 1895 that he had sold 3 times to different people. It was back on the shelf for the 4th time.
I agree, that was the 1st version I had. I went through a standard rifle and one of the guide guns, but always preferred the original. They only made them like that for 2-3 years in the early 70's. I paid $150 for mine about 1976. Sold it for over $600 a few years ago. If I really wanted a 45-70 I'd hunt one of those down and pay whatever they wanted.
They are a fun guns, but both the rifles and cartridge are very much over rated. When the 30-30 was introduced in 1895 it was considered more powerful at the time, and with traditional 45-70 loads it still is. The hotter, more powerful modern loads make it a legitimate large game round, but with excessive recoil out of proportion to its performance. If you really need to shoot big stuff there are better options with much less recoil.
One of my favorite quotes from a local gunshop owner "Everyone wants a 45-70..... Until they get one." He showed me a used Marlin 1895 that he had sold 3 times to different people. It was back on the shelf for the 4th time.
I agree, that was the 1st version I had. I went through a standard rifle and one of the guide guns, but always preferred the original. They only made them like that for 2-3 years in the early 70's. I paid $150 for mine about 1976. Sold it for over $600 a few years ago. If I really wanted a 45-70 I'd hunt one of those down and pay whatever they wanted.
Marlin 1895-SBL until a couple years ago. Went broke, something had to go...
Now that Florida is opening Black Bear season for the first time in 40 years, wish I still had it!!
The MAIN reason to go with the SBL is that HUGE comfy recoil pad Marlin puts on 'em...
your shoulder will thank you
as it is much thicker than the standard used on the other rifles.
My .30-30 is more than enough for Black bear, Hog, and Whitetail...
but that .45-70 would be Blessed Assurance in the case of the bears!!
Pre-2005 Marlin 1895's are well known for being the Leopard Battle Tank of lever-actions...
built to last a lifetime plus a few...many originals are still in perfect working order!
To put it bluntly, neither the Winchester nor the Henry are nearly as tough.
Search your local pawn shops/gun shops/etc for a nice used one...
they are everywhere AFTER hunting season, and scarce as heck just before it
The newest Marlin levers (2015) are finally on par with the 1990's versions,
this has taken a LOT of work by Remlin and a lot of butt-kicking by Marlinites.
The 1895 LE is your best option out of the new Marlins, IMHO...
that particular model is their new Showcase...so it gets a bit extra inspection/care on the factory line. Second would be the SBL.
However, due to pretty much all Manufacturer's using the End User to test/fault-find errors these days,
please inspect ANY new firearm as you would an unknown dealer at a gun show...
meticulously, carefully, and looking for goofs which you hopefully will not have.
Better to catch something BEFORE taking possession than 6 months after...right?
Also, the optional .444 and .450 calibers are available in the 1895 as well...
and I did find a store in Panacea, FL that had 12 boxes of .444,
so if I trip across one in a pawn shop, its gonna come home with me
& just reload those 12 boxes for the next 20 years
And given the similar circumstance/game animals, a Marlin 336 in .35 wouldn't be a bad choice, either...
as it will do the job with far less recoil, and has a lower cost to reload...
Now that Florida is opening Black Bear season for the first time in 40 years, wish I still had it!!
The MAIN reason to go with the SBL is that HUGE comfy recoil pad Marlin puts on 'em...
your shoulder will thank you
as it is much thicker than the standard used on the other rifles.My .30-30 is more than enough for Black bear, Hog, and Whitetail...
but that .45-70 would be Blessed Assurance in the case of the bears!!
Pre-2005 Marlin 1895's are well known for being the Leopard Battle Tank of lever-actions...
built to last a lifetime plus a few...many originals are still in perfect working order!
To put it bluntly, neither the Winchester nor the Henry are nearly as tough.
Search your local pawn shops/gun shops/etc for a nice used one...
they are everywhere AFTER hunting season, and scarce as heck just before it
The newest Marlin levers (2015) are finally on par with the 1990's versions,
this has taken a LOT of work by Remlin and a lot of butt-kicking by Marlinites.
The 1895 LE is your best option out of the new Marlins, IMHO...
that particular model is their new Showcase...so it gets a bit extra inspection/care on the factory line. Second would be the SBL.
However, due to pretty much all Manufacturer's using the End User to test/fault-find errors these days,
please inspect ANY new firearm as you would an unknown dealer at a gun show...
meticulously, carefully, and looking for goofs which you hopefully will not have.
Better to catch something BEFORE taking possession than 6 months after...right?
Also, the optional .444 and .450 calibers are available in the 1895 as well...
and I did find a store in Panacea, FL that had 12 boxes of .444,
so if I trip across one in a pawn shop, its gonna come home with me
& just reload those 12 boxes for the next 20 years
And given the similar circumstance/game animals, a Marlin 336 in .35 wouldn't be a bad choice, either...
as it will do the job with far less recoil, and has a lower cost to reload...
45/70
Like most other posters have said, I vote for Marlin 95. I have had one for 40
some years. I don't know why I kept it. I'm glad I did, I live in Ohio and last
year we had first"limited rifle season". The scalpers were getting 100% over
cost for 45/70s. The guide gun puzzles me, with barrel that short on 45/70
it's not much better than 44 mg.
I had opportunity to full with Henrys in 22 and 45/70, I won't bad moth them
but I look at them as kind of a novelty item . I don't like the running gears.
Like most other posters have said, I vote for Marlin 95. I have had one for 40
some years. I don't know why I kept it. I'm glad I did, I live in Ohio and last
year we had first"limited rifle season". The scalpers were getting 100% over
cost for 45/70s. The guide gun puzzles me, with barrel that short on 45/70
it's not much better than 44 mg.
I had opportunity to full with Henrys in 22 and 45/70, I won't bad moth them
but I look at them as kind of a novelty item . I don't like the running gears.
I really like the ghost ring sight on the henry but I would love the side reloaded that the marlin has. I've always wanted a henry but maybe I'll wait and get a henry 22. But I've always loved the idea of having a 45 70 it's on hulk of a caliber. Although I did see a sick deer take 5 rounds to the head neck and chest at point blank range and not die instantly. While setting up a drive we came across there really sick deer it had pooped all over itself and couldn't run and walked sideways so we decided to put it out of its misery. The closes guy had a 45 70 so he kept shooting it until it quit breathing. Maybe it was just a zombie deer that's why it took so many rounds. But I was just looking for a good powerful light short gun to take driving. I volunteer to drive alot because I love walking through the woods instead of posting. There will be no scope getting put on a 45 70 for me just plain iron.
Super Sneaky Steve
New member
I'd go with the Henry because it doesn't have that crappy safety.
Marlin also made some real crummy guns for a time. I hear they are better now but the Henry's are all good.
Marlin also made some real crummy guns for a time. I hear they are better now but the Henry's are all good.
Jim Watson
New member
Amusing anecdote from the friend with the early '95.
He was out with it one day when another man on the range (gravel pit) said:
"Say buddy, that's a nice looking .30-30 you have there."
He replied: "Mister, that's not a .30-30."
And the man responded: "Sure, it's a .30-30, I know one when I seen it. Let me try it out."
My guy says: "Sure, here."
Guy aims, pulls trigger, rocks back under recoil, swings the lever as nonchalantly as possible, looks down at the ejected empty and says:
"That's the biggest dam' .30-30 I ever seen."
The crossbolt safety on a Marlin is not too unsightly and it DOES have a use.
Not in the field, where halfcock is second nature to anybody with some experience, but when shutting down. A lever action has to be unloaded through the action and the crossbolt is a comfort for that.
He was out with it one day when another man on the range (gravel pit) said:
"Say buddy, that's a nice looking .30-30 you have there."
He replied: "Mister, that's not a .30-30."
And the man responded: "Sure, it's a .30-30, I know one when I seen it. Let me try it out."
My guy says: "Sure, here."
Guy aims, pulls trigger, rocks back under recoil, swings the lever as nonchalantly as possible, looks down at the ejected empty and says:
"That's the biggest dam' .30-30 I ever seen."
The crossbolt safety on a Marlin is not too unsightly and it DOES have a use.
Not in the field, where halfcock is second nature to anybody with some experience, but when shutting down. A lever action has to be unloaded through the action and the crossbolt is a comfort for that.