I'm in the mood for modifying my 1895SS, and one of the mods I would like to do is shorten the barrel. I'm thinking something along the lines of going down to 16"+ or so. Make a "guide" out of it or something of the sort. Is there anything that the 16" won't do that the 18" Guide Gun will? I have always liked the "Guide Gun" concept, but detested the straight grip. Now I have a pistol gripped gun to play with, and I am definitely thinking of it.
Any thoughts about NOT shortening the barrel? I still have an original length 1895SS for hunting/longer range work, I just am looking for a "pickup/trapper" type of gun for play in the 45/70 caliber that I prefer.
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Liberalism isn't just a disease anymore, it is a mental disorder.
ssSHhhHhHH! I'm hiding from the VOICES!NonPCnraRN
Senior Levergunner
USA
1140 Posts
Posted - 02/26/2006 : 11:47:42 AM
Bubbas 4570: I just bought a 450 Marlin Guide Gun and I am seriously considering having the barrel cut down to 16 1/8 and reinstall the sight ramp with a Fire Sight front and Williams reciever sight. I would also take the factory pad off and attach a Limbsaver. Then I will slim down the stock and stipple it where the checkering was. I was originally thinking of a Puma in 480 Ruger shooting 425 bullets but I can do the same with my Trapper Guide Gun with a lot more zing to the bullets. A 425 gr .458 Beartooth Pile-Driver Jr. moving along at 1600 fps should handle anything I will come across and I can always load it hotter if I lose all common sense. Ditto for the 45-70.
If the smell of Hoppes No. 9 kindles fond memories, you just might be a Levergunner - HalBubbas 4570
Levergunner 3.0
USA
628 Posts
Yup, I was thinking along lines like those. I was more or less wondering about the real world differences between an 18" vs. a 16" barrel.
I'm figuring that the handling characteristics would pretty much be the same for each.
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Liberalism isn't just a disease anymore, it is a mental disorder.
ssSHhhHhHH! I'm hiding from the VOICES!cas
Senior Levergunner
1572 Posts
I cut both ends. Like it much more better-er.
http://www.cylindersmith.com/45-70.html
"In this world, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant. Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant."
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www.Cylindersmith.com
Bubbas 4570
Levergunner 3.0
USA
628 Posts
Actually CAS, your page is what got me running on this idea. After reading and seeing it, I really had a hankering for something in that line.
Seeing the pics of your toy made my mouth water the first time. Seriously.
Thanks!!!
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Liberalism isn't just a disease anymore, it is a mental disorder.
ssSHhhHhHH! I'm hiding from the VOICES!cas
Senior Levergunner
1572 Posts
I like the little ones.. and I'm no little guy.
I'd like to do the same thing with a marlin .357 1894 and a Win .30-30 1894.... neither of which I have any real need/use for. But then, when I did the .45-70 I didn't then either. (hunting regulation changes changed that)
While I've not really kept it in a car or truck, I did use it up in a tree stand this winter. That was the first time I'd ever hunted with a firearm from a tree stand, and the short levergun was a treat up there.
"In this world, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant. Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant."
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www.Cylindersmith.com
Bubbas 4570
Levergunner 3.0
USA
628 Posts
Well CAS, I've done the work to one of my Marlins, and I'm liking everything about it so far.
Here's a bad picture of it with comparisons to a standard 1895 and a Red Ryder.
Here's another with both Marlin barrels shown for comparison up close.
The barrel has been shortened to 16 1/4", a Limbsaver installed on the buttstock, and what is not shown in the pictures are the Williams Firesites that have been put on, along with (just today) a XS LeverScout mount with a Bushnell Trophy red dot site. Pictures of the latest mods will be forthcoming (I don't own a digital camera, and have to get friends to take the pics for me) as soon as I can get them.
I will also be sanding down the stocks to get rid of the checkering, and putting a nice handrubbed oil finish on it with some danish oil finish. It should fit me lit a glove then.
...And everyone who has shot it just LOVES it. The handling characteristics are incredible. And they didn't think that it recoiled any more than was "normal". I'm all
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Liberalism isn't just a disease anymore, it is a mental disorder.
ssSHhhHhHH! I'm hiding from the VOICES!ScottT
Shootist
5155 Posts
That short barrel is cool, but here is an issue to consider. If you want to hunt in Canada, I believe you will not be able to bring that 16 inch gun into the country.
Our Canadian folks can correct me if I am mistaken.
Just me and Big Nose KateDead Calm
Advanced Levergunner
USA
4579 Posts
Them are sure mean looking guns with them short barrels. But I like them!!!!! .....Art
Bubbas 4570
Levergunner 3.0
USA
628 Posts
I really didn't consider the issue of going into Canada with it at all. If that IS a consideration, I'll just take the original one hunting instead. Not too big of a problem for me.
Dead Calm;
You should handle one of these with the short barrel, it is beautiful. Even my elderly father had the comment: "This thing would be great for inside the house." And he can barely even keep holding up a rifle anymore due to physical problems. Now the caliber might be a problem for him, but....
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Liberalism isn't just a disease anymore, it is a mental disorder.
ssSHhhHhHH! I'm hiding from the VOICES!DirtyDan
Levergunner 2.0
USA
493 Posts
I don't know about going from 18.5" down to 16+". I am a fan of short barrels, but is 16 really magical? I've got an 1894C that I love except for the fat forearm and the checkering. I am going to have to get me a belt sander and do some remodeling. I have been reading and thinking about the scout setup for almost two years now and my curiosity is just about to get the best of me. I have heard that cross-eye dominance is a problem with a scout scope, but I might try it anyway. The thing that most appeals to me is the quick release option. Oh well, always something new to spend $ on and I don't plan on taking any with me.
"I'm just tryin' to keep things balanced, Woodrow; you do more work than you got to, so it's my obligation to do less." Capt. Augustus McCrae, Lonesome Dovecas
Senior Levergunner
1572 Posts
I don't know if it has anything to do with the number of inches, but my gun sure got more accurate after it was cut.
"In this world, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant. Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant."
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www.Cylindersmith.com
Old Ironsights
Advanced Levergunner
4699 Posts
Sometimes Longer is NOT better....
Firing Broadsides at Boneheads
- Old Ironsights -
Veteran of a Thousand Psychic Wars...
“Destiny dressed you this morning, my friend, and now Fear wants to pull off your pants. If you give up, if you give in, then you’re going to end up naked, with fear just standing there laughing at your dangling unmentionables.” - The Tick Bubbas 4570
Levergunner 3.0
USA
628 Posts
Well I promised myself that I'd post pictures of my almost finished toy, and then promptly forgot to do it.
So here are a couple of photos of the almost finished "Short Barrelled Distributor of Badness"...
The first one is showing with the Bushnell Trophy red dot scope and XS LeverScout mount, along with the Williams Firesights in profile.
Here is a shot of the Firesights as you would look through them.
My thanks must go to my brother in law, Randy Haight of Helena, MT for these pictures. He spent way more time on them than I would have, and the better quality shows. Thanks, Randy!
A question for you guys, does anyone know which company makes a quick detatch mount for the Bushnell sight?
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Liberalism isn't just a disease anymore, it is a mental disorder.
ssSHhhHhHH! I'm hiding from the VOICES!Hobie
Moderator
USA
19226 Posts
You guys have done some interesting things to the 1895. I'm thinking of posting this to the ONE Sticky. What do you think?
Sincerely,
Hobie
"We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, and the best that we find in our travels is an honest friend." Robert Louis Stevenson
The Stonewall Brigade
Shooting with Hobie
hyde
Levergunner
USA
1 Posts
You gotta love short barreled Marlins.This is my 1895CB. Bubbas 4570
Levergunner 3.0
USA
628 Posts
Hobie,
That's fine with me. I enjoy looking at the shorties.
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Liberalism isn't just a disease anymore, it is a mental disorder.
ssSHhhHhHH! I'm hiding from the VOICES!Dead Calm
Advanced Levergunner
USA
4579 Posts
Hobie, that would be a great post. Please do it!!! Art Hobie
Moderator
USA
19226 Posts
Ok, let's get back to illustrating 1895 mods.
Sincerely,
Hobie
"We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, and the best that we find in our travels is an honest friend." Robert Louis Stevenson
The Stonewall Brigade
Shooting with Hobie
Bubbas 4570
Levergunner 3.0
USA
628 Posts
Just so that I give the dues to where I owe them:
http://www.cylindersmith.com/45-70.html
Here is where I really was put "under the gun" to get mine done. After seeing the pics, thinking about it, and wanting one, I couldn't stay away from the short side. Many thanks go out to the evile cylindersmith for starting me on my journey.
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Liberalism isn't just a disease anymore, it is a mental disorder.
ssSHhhHhHH! I'm hiding from the VOICES!
