hello, i am going down to buy a 1895G tommorow. I have checked around and i can get the older ported model or the one without ports for about the same price, i know a ported is louder but kicks less, that is about the only difference i know of. Which one should i get? what are the advatages? I couldnt imagine it kicking any more than my single shot 10ga and i dont mind the kick of it.

Not sure if any topic with rifles has caused more heated discussions. I so not shoot a 45-70 but a little 444 in an Oufitter with factory porting. My primary load is a 330gr Beartooth bullet comming out of the 18 1/2" ported barrel at 2000 fps. It kicks about like a similiar sized 30-30. It is loud but all 18 1/2" barrels are loud. Marshall Stanton shoots a similiar load out of his non ported 444 (24" bbl) and reports it about knocks his block off. He also has a ported Outfitter like mine and reports it, like mine, is a real pusscat.

If you are going for lighter loads it will probably not make much difference. Heavier loads change everything though. Oh yeah, with heavier loads especially, the ported barrels rise far less on recoil than non ported barrels.

So get what you like and have fun with it........ Bill

I have the 45/70 in the 1895G and absolutely love it. It is the ported version and I would highly recommend it. For sure it makes a louder report when fired but my take on it is that when I am target practicing or working up loads for it I am wearing ear protection, as is everyone else at the range.

I have taken elk with it and frankly I cannot remember it making any sound at all!

I haven't heard why Marlin discontinued the 'ported' version but I could make some wild guesses.

I am on a quest right now to find a ported 444p 'Outfitter' while they can still be had.

Good luck in your choice,

- - - Fletch

I have both a Marlin Guide Gun and a Winchester Timber rifle. My family and hunting friends have a strong dislike for these rifles. They will not sit near me on the range. My wife is my long time hunting partner and she will not hunt while I am using these rifles. The ports may reduce felt recoil, I am not really certain of it. The hard feelings brought on by the noise and muzzle blast have not been worth it for me. I like the short barrels but the ports are a problem.

I have wanted a 450 or 45/70 for about two years. I made up my mind that when I found a good deal on a used one I would buy it. I really did not want ports. However about two months ago I found a good deal on a 45/70 guide gun with ports, I almost did not buy it for that reason, but it was to good a deal to pass up. I have only been to the range once about mid December wearing a T-shirt and heavy outer shirt ( it was nice Saturday morning here in South Carolina). I am a short, stocky guy. I fired about 30 differnt loads ranging from factory to handloads. The handloads were 300 & 350 grains with powder ranges from 46 to 54 grains of IMR4198 (as I remember). I can tell you I could not be happier with this rifle.
The ports did not bother me and I do wear ear protection. However the man that arrived later and setup about three benches down wanted to know "WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE YOU SHOOTING" . I may put a better recoil pad on the rifle, however I was not sore or bruised the next day. I really think this will be a long term rifle.

It is a "given", = no doubt about it, that ported version is louder than non ported, I would not mislead anyone on that being the truth.

However they also, for sure, have less felt recoil, far less 'muzzle jump' = faster attainment for a follow up shot, which in my situation was a factor as I wanted to keep it with me while fishing in Alaska in areas where the big bear roam. Which, by the way, as I understand it, the Alaska Fisheries Department selected the Marlin 45/70 Guide Gun for their field personnel to carry.

At the range I try to be courteous to those shooting close to me and in fact our range has three bench's that are baffled and are to be used by those shooting magnums with ported barrels.

All in all I still recommend the ported version over the non-ported. I also recommend a Pachmyr Decelerator recoil pad for either version, although Marlin's standard recoil pad is pretty darn good as it comes from the factory.

As Bill M said, "get which ever you like and have fun with it" - - - that is the 'bottom line' enjoying your shooting.

- - - Fletch

I just got a good deal on a used one in 45-70 with ports. Yes they are loud, but a lot of fun. I always wear hearing protection except when hunting. I have a ported 12 ga slug gun and usually shoot 2 3/4" slugs. I have shot this while hunting and it was not too bad. Hopefully the marlin will be about the same. Usually when I hunt I do not really even remember the sound during all the the excitement. Who has any experience firing this in the field? Is it any worse than a ported 12 ga.?

My question is almost the same as RJT's, im seriously thinging about getting one of Marlin's guide guns. Is the recoil comeing off one of these guide guns (non-ported) worse than that of a non-ported 12 guage? Is it harder to get off an accurate follow up shot with the guide gun in .45 .70 than it is with a 12 guage? I have a mossberg 590 a1 and I can shoot it over and over, it doesnt bother me at all. It seems people make the guide gun out to be a shoulder demolisher, is this true?

Hello combatops101,

As mentioned in the posts above my 45/70g is the ported version so I can only comment on that version.

I have two 12 gauge shotguns one an 'over and under' and the other a semi auto which came out of World War II and was used by the "point man" in a squad.

The 12 gauge over and under has a recoil that is about the same as the ported 45/70, if there is a difference it is not noticeable. The semi-auto WWII gun kicks like an army mule, far more recoil than the 45/70. You would think that the semi auto would have less recoil than the over and under - - - but it really slams you. I think this one is an anomily and 'maybe' should not be counted in the comparison.

Anyway, from my experience, I don't think the 45/70 has more recoil than a 12 gauge shooting 3" magnum # 2 shot.

I have talked to a lot of experienced shooters on this subject in the last two days and the preference of "ported versus non-ported" is running just about 50/50 - - so again as Bill M said in his post above "get what you like and have fun with it"!

- - - good luck and good shooting,

- - Fletch

hey i got the ported, i found it for $419 at bi-mart, by far the cheapest. They had both and i choose ported. i shot it like 5 times and it hardly kicks, and it seems load, now i just need the 500 alaskan conversioin...........

I posted a question like this a while back, and there was no real concensus. As was mentioned by a previous poster this one can be the cause for much debate. I never could find anyone who would admit shooting the same loads through both a ported and non-ported GG, or equiv test. I think it pretty much boils down to personal preference. In my case I have enough buzzing in my ears that I will probably never hunt my GG again as much as I love to shoot it. For those who will never notice the sound of the shot, more power to you. But me I'll have to relegate my GG to range duty only...and that's not so bad! Surely I'm not alone on this.

As for recoil with heavy 350 and 405gr loads, with the ports I'd have to say it's a relative pussy cat, but can't compare to the non-ported due to lack of resources. My son says the 356 kicks harder. They're both fun at the range.

I posted a question like this a while back, and there was no real concensus. As was mentioned by a previous poster this one can be the cause for much debate. I never could find anyone who would admit shooting the same loads through both a ported and non-ported GG, or equiv test. I think it pretty much boils down to personal preference. In my case I have enough buzzing in my ears that I will probably never hunt my GG again as much as I love to shoot it. For those who will never notice the sound of the shot, more power to you. But me I'll have to relegate my GG to range duty only...and that's not so bad! Surely I'm not alone on this.

As for recoil with heavy 350 and 405gr loads, with the ports I'd have to say it's a relative pussy cat, but can't compare to the non-ported due to lack of resources. My son says the 356 kicks harder. They're both fun at the range.

For those of you who would like to port the Marlin, Magnaport will do it. Just ship it to them. If you are near a Gander Mountain, they will do it for you.

... My primary load is a 330gr Beartooth bullet comming out of the 18 1/2" ported barrel at 2000 fps. It kicks about like a similiar sized 30-30. ........ Bill

Bill - a 330 grain bullet at 2000 fps and it doesn't kick anymore than a 30/30 ? ! ? ! :eek: :eek: :eek:

Surely you jest, Bill ! ! !

Oh, yeah - LOOSE THE PORTS ! ! ! !

...also recommend a Pachmyr Decelerator recoil pad for either version...- - - Fletch

I certainly "second" this motion. Virtually every loading can be shot for hours with this modification installed. Notice I said "virtually". I've shot some of the Buffalo Bore stuff, and, even if you can afford it, you won't be plinking around with 40 or 50 rounds of these snot-wipers on an afternoon. They are not painful with the Decelerator, but you WILL be impressed.
Regards

I had the same questions right before I bought my 'ported' guide gun. I ran across an article on the internet that I will try to find again that was a side-by-side apples-to-apples test of the ported vs no-ported. The author commented on less muzzle rise as the most notable difference with ports. One point of interset he noted after shooting the non-ported first was that his right thumb tagged his nose on almost every shot. After shooting ten rounds on the non-ported, he switched to the ported. It was after ten ported rounds that he made his choice. He felt that a 'slight' reduction in kick and a 'noticeable' difference in muzzle rise off the bench was enough to consider the ports a plus to him.

I hunted last week and popped two shots pretty quickly with a guy standing right next to me. After the dust (and the hogs) cleared, I apologized for my gun and the ports, and the noise, and the flash, etc, etc,. He shrugged and said with the rush of jumping a large group of hogs, he didn't hear a thing! After seeing the results of the 45-70, he made the comment, "that gun folded that hog up like a cheap card table".

Ports, no ports?
Scope, aftermarket sights?
Ford, Chevy?

You decide.

Best thing about these decisions, none are wrong in my opinion. A word of caution, once you get a guide gun, you're HOOKED!!!!

Regards,
CPA

I have a Marlin 1895GS non-ported. I routinely have people get up and leave after I start shooting at the range. With out the ports people in proximity to the side or directly behind standing as your sitting at a bench will experience quite a percussion from the muzzle blast with heavier loads. It doesn't bother me as I've experienced this as my brother has shot his. Sitting behind my own, firing it, I don't notice this. The ports may amplify this but the non-ported model won't keep some people (wimps? :D ) from being bothered by the muzzle blast and percussion experienced from some loads.

Just food for thought.

salyera,
... i know a ported is louder but kicks less, that is about the only difference i know of. Which one should i get? what are the advatages? I couldnt imagine it kicking any more than my single shot 10ga and i dont mind the kick of it.
I had my 1895G converted to a TakeDown (1895DRC) and, in the process, purposely eliminated the ports by installing a new Badger barrel. Of course, the Badger was selected for many additional reasons so, you could say, eliminating the ports came for free.

My personal reason was not the noise since, I always wear hearing protection at the range but, on hunt, I can't remember the last time I heard muzzle blast ... though I do have normal hearing :D

Concerning recoil, the new Badger barrel was accompanied by a Pachmayr Decelerator so, recoil is now more like a shove than the old 1895G (w/ ports) smack. But, pushing the butt into your shoulder with the forearm (while pushing your cheek into the stock) always allows you to stay-on for the ride ... as opposed to the ole sledge hammer effect :mad:

The only real ports issue I recall was ... dealing with the guy next to me getting sprayed with lead, copper and unburned powder.


Bill

salyera,



The only real ports issue I recall was ... dealing with the guy next to me getting sprayed with lead, copper and unburned powder.


Bill



You overlooked one issue.......firing while sitting under a snow-laden pine tree :eek:


Perferator

My 1895 ported does pack a punch. The first few rounds seemed to really hammer me. As I planted it into my shoulder and hunkered down on the stock, it wasn't that bad. Once I got it home, I took a drill bit to the membrane in the recoil pad to open up the honeycomb area allowing some 'give' in the factory pad. I still have my eyes on a decelerator pad, but for now, the drill was a little bit of quick relief.

I try to find a spot at the range away from everyone to shoot. Funny thing is, after about 3 shots, I have people easing down towards me to see what is making the big boom. When they see the rounds on the bench, the first remark has been essentially the same - "holy crap, what round is that, it's HUGE!??"

Lots of interest on the range. About the only other rifle that has drawn a crowd like the GG, is when I'll dust off the M1 Garand and take her out for a few rounds. Seems like when that first spent clip comes "twanging" out of the action, it only takes a couple of minutes for the WWII era shooter to wander down and comment on the clip ejection sound. Most say they haven't heard the sound in years - but they remember it well.

CPA

cpa-y2k I see you own a M1 Garand :) How's your thumb :) :)

cpa-y2k I see you own a M1 Garand :) How's your thumb :) :)

My dad "told me" how to load that first clip, but failed to inform me that once my thumb had seated the clip, the action would slam closed in a hurry. Yea, I got clobbered. Then I tried it again. Not fast enough - smash #2. After a cold class of tea (with my thumb in it) and some chuckles from dear old dad, I did ok after that. Haven't been hit since.

The old M1 does a number on hogs. Nothing like letting 8 rounds go as fast as you can squeeze them off into a group.

I know what you mean ..
Guys or even gals that have never fired off 8 and heard the clang of the clip coming out and seeing the endresults of 8 /06 rounds on anything will never know the true fire power of gun..
Today hotrode sem/autos in 223 with the 20 or 30 rounds and even the sks or ak's .really dont stand up next to the M1 Garand ...God loves a man with a Garand

I have the .50 Alaskn Guide Gun, it is ported. The same thing about the report, loud, but the recoial is a little more than my .338/.378. If you enjoy big guns no problem. Shooting my .50 Alaskan from the bench, I lay it on sand bags not holding it down, just holding it in tight. When it gos off it is a sharp force back, not up. The big thing I recomend is hold it tight. Last time out I shot 20 rounds, got careless on one shot, my sholder had a 6" bruise for a couple weeks. -Happy Shooting
Ed

I have the 1895CB in .45-70 and I don't notice any kick at all. I've even held the rifle at arm's length and fired it like a pistol and still nothing. I've never understood what the fuss was about.

I've owned a "Guide Gun" for almost 25 years now. It's an older streight stock Marlin .45-70. When i first got it i got a gunsmith to take the bbl. down to 18 inches and recrown. It was used very successfully for deer and moose in the fairly thick hard and softwood stands in the western mountains of Maine. I also owned a .444 Marlin when they first came out in the mid 70's. I still own the .45-70 and have since bought a .444 Marlin Outfitter. My thoughts on the comparison between ported and non-ported are as follows: The recoil in either caliber is the same. The muzzle flash at almost dark can be blinding with the muzzle brake in either caliber. Either caliber still has the same amount of muzzle rise during recoil.(though not much) A little bit of bullet velocity (though not much) is lost with the muzzle brake. As previously mentioned,if you shoot these weapons with a muzzle brake while standing alongside someone the person will be very,very, upset with you to say the least. Also i've herd of some people developeing hearing damage. Remember it's not just the noise but also the overpressure developed by the blast. These are my opinions and i'm sure that other people have diffrent thoughts on the subject.You know what they say about opinions---- GOOD SHOOTIN'-----pruhdlr