Marlin 1895 GBL

[FCOD]

Hey gang! I've been wanting a lever gun for a while, but I wanted something other than a .30-30 simply because I have friends with .30-30s and I wanted something a little bit more unique. I ended up getting a pretty good deal on a brand new Marlin 1895 GBL in .45-70 and am stoked on it especially finally now that Remlin's quality has begun to get back up to par.

I am about 7 days into my DROS and started wondering if I made the right choice on the GBL, or if I should have gone with the guide gun instead. I handled both in the store and even went home to sleep on it before deciding and decided that having large hands the large loop seemed to be a better fit plus it came with the extended magazine tube as well as the laminate furniture. I know the purists prefer walnut, but I do like laminate.

Anyone out there have any love for the Marlin GBL? I guess in the end I could always buy a guide gun down the road, so it's not the end of the world. I also purchased a set of XS ghost ring sights as well as the dovetail filler block.

[Tom-ADC]

I usually find your first choice is the right one and besides nobody wants to own just one Marlin!!
Take it out shoot it and get to know it.

[FCOD]

That's what I'm telling myself. Especially because it wasn't an impulse buy and I actually gave it some thought and stuck with the gbl.

[6mmintl]

Might want to add some lead in copper tube in buttstock to take out some of the Ouch!!!! of shooting 45-70

[JAGGUY]

I bought a Marlin 1895 45-70 in 1977.
Still have it so it must be a great rifle. I loaded hot loads back then and it was damn impressive with 350gr softpoints @ 1900fps.
My shoulder doesn't appreciate those loadings anymore...

[FCOD]

Picked up my GBL yesterday and installed my xs sights. Any regrets I was having are gone. What a gorgeous lever gun.

[The Last American Hero]

I agree with all your reasons for laminate, big loop and full length mag tube over the Guide Gun.

If nothing else the full length tube looks more correct on a lever gun.

As an old carpenter who has watched quality of wood grades fall over the decades, I'd be a lot more comfortable relying on a laminated stock in such a powerful gun (especially with questions still lingering on Freedom Group's profit/quality equation), and doubly more comfortable boring into it to add weighted tubes as has been suggested. (spare ammo tubes?)

Please report back after a bit of shooting to confirm quality.

I'd love to Bubba one of these into a Mare's Leg. Maybe stockless bird grip, 15.5" barrel.

[saki302]

I have an earlier Remlin, I've had great luck with mine- no issues, except the screws suck. The heads are brittle and easy to booger even using the proper bits.

-Dave

[Jarhead715]

Love mine

[Carcassonne]

Hey gang! I've been wanting a lever gun for a while, but I wanted something other than a .30-30 simply because I have friends with .30-30s and I wanted something a little bit more unique. I ended up getting a pretty good deal on a brand new Marlin 1895 GBL in .45-70 and am stoked on it especially finally now that Remlin's quality has begun to get back up to par.

I am about 7 days into my DROS and started wondering if I made the right choice on the GBL, or if I should have gone with the guide gun instead. I handled both in the store and even went home to sleep on it before deciding and decided that having large hands the large loop seemed to be a better fit plus it came with the extended magazine tube as well as the laminate furniture. I know the purists prefer walnut, but I do like laminate.

Anyone out there have any love for the Marlin GBL? I guess in the end I could always buy a guide gun down the road, so it's not the end of the world. I also purchased a set of XS ghost ring sights as well as the dovetail filler block.

The guide gun has a straight stock with a squared lever. The GBL has a curved stock with a larger rounded lever which works better with winter gloves. I have a guide gun in 450 Marlin. If they made the GBL in 450 Marlin 15 years ago, I would have got that instead of the guide gun.


.

[FCOD]

I have an earlier Remlin, I've had great luck with mine- no issues, except the screws suck. The heads are brittle and easy to booger even using the proper bits.

-Dave

I've heard this. I was almost contemplating contacting marlin and seeing if I could purchase a spare screw set just in case.

[Jarhead715]

Really pleased with my 45/70. The fit and finish was top notch. I put a small amount of blue loctite on the reciever screws and after about 80 rounds still holding strong. Only downfall frickin ammo is pricey!

[TMB 1]

Really pleased with my 45/70. The fit and finish was top notch. I put a small amount of blue loctite on the reciever screws and after about 80 rounds still holding strong. Only downfall frickin ammo is pricey!

Best way to go with 45/70 is to reload for it.

[Tom-ADC]

Best way to go with 45/70 is to reload for it.

Yep and its really a reloader friendly round.

[RedFox4570]

I've been passively searching for a 45-70 guide gun to no avail since last year after getting bored with my 336.

I do like prices in 30-30 a lot better, though.

Congratulations on your purchase, OP.

Hope your shoulder ain't hating you for it!