1895SS vs 1895G(S)

I bought the 45-70 Marlin Guide Gun.I love this gun,ports and all.I installed a pachmayr prefit recoil pad on this gun.It makes a BIG difference from the stock hard rubber pad it came with.Since buying this cannon,i got into reloading my own with the RCBS Rockchcker master reloading kit.What a blast loading my own bullets.Enjoy whatever gun you choose!

NRA Member

Dude, you gotta use this site!

See:

http://www.beartoothbullets.com/tech_notes/archived_tech_notes.php/17

Ok...Ok...I should have titled this something more generic, like BigBore Marlins or something.  I've read these articles before and am impressed with the 444.  We could probably get into similar arguments along the "44 Mag vs 45 Colt" lines.  I have 45 Colts but no 44's.  "I'll take one of each" in a perfect world, but that's not the case for me.  Perhaps one day I'll own one of each but, unless a great deal on a 444 come along first, I'll likely have the 458 longer.

Glad to hear that RiflemanZ cut his handloading teeth on the big 45.  Most people start out smaller.  I'll bet that first load was intimidating to touch off!

You'll have to convince me on the 444 though.

Whoops!  Wrong message -- I didn't want to get into the .44 vs .45 thing...

In that article though, Marshall explains his long use of a SS (.444, but it doesn't matter) and his new found love the Guide version.  I think his, and other's comments on this site (all positive on the Guide versions) have weight and merit.

That said, I too prefer the SS versions for some reason.  In a paper comparison, I'd choose the P/G, but when I handle them, I prefer the old SS.  I shoot a lot of shotgun and that might be it -- it just might feel better with a little more weight out front?  (Probably, nothing that matters in a rifle, though).

Regard,

Charlie

Have a Guide Gun, love it.  I'm sure I could get along fine with the SS version as well...
Mark

I GOT THE 1895GS , VERY HANDY AND SUPPRISINGLY ACCURATE, THAT BALLARD RIFLING ROCKS...MICRO GROVE SUCKS. BIG BORE STRAIGHT WALL CASE DOESNT GIVE UP MUCH IN TERMS OF VELOCITY TO THE 22'' BARREL 1895 RIFLE. WITH TOP (LEVEL 2)HANDLOADED 350 AND 400/405 GR. BULLETS AND FACTORY 300 GR. LOADS THE DIFFERENCE IS LESS THAN 100 FPS.

I've had both.  I currently have a mildly customized 1895G and I love it.  I do think the 1895SS handles recoil nicer and balances a little better, but I use mine as bear protection when fishing, backpacking, etc., so I like the Guide Gun for those purposes.  I believe the new 1895SS use a Ballard cut rifling barrel instead of the Micro-Groove.  This eliminates a problem when shooting cast bullets.  I think if you cut back an 1895SS to 20" and ported it, you would have a nice rifle for moose and bear.

I have both the 1895ss and the 1895g.I love them both and enjoy shooting them.I prefer the guide gun.I usally use the 45/70 Marlin's in thick brush and do a lot of walking.I prefer the shorter gun because it is lighter,more compact and I like the straight grip stock on the guide gun much better than the pistol grip stock on the longer 1895.The straight stock is the biggest reason for my prefrence because it seems to shoulder better,is more comfortable and looks better to me.However the 1895ss is still a fine gun too and I used it fine for years before the guide gun came out.There is very little diffrence in performance between the two so get whichever one feels the best to you.

I've had a Marlin 1895, 45-70, straight stock, squared lever, curved hard buttplate, no crossbolt safety, 22" microgroove barrel since 1977.  Finally put a Pachmayr Old English style decelerator on it.  I really think it is a shame that Marlin deviated from this fine rifle configuration.

I just bought the 1895G 45-70 and its a great rifle. I tryed the same load I use in a Ruger #1 45-70 = 55grs. of 3031 and the 300gr Rem.hp., groups into 1 1/2" ar 100yds. Another load of 45grs. of 4198 groups about 2" at 100 yds.

295 gr. cast load of 40grs.3031 groups about 3" at 100yds and little recoil.

Thats about as good as i can shoot with any rifle with these aging eyes.