Home Forums Lever Action Central Big Bore Levers My new Marlin 1895 and my old eyes

Well... now I went and did it.

I was in Sportsman's Warehouse and saw the Marlin 1895 45/70 for $429, which is $30 dollars less than I could find the rifle anywhere else, so I bought it.

I was looking at aftermarket sights like XS Sights, Lyman's, and Williams. What I am discovering is my 48 year old eyes probably need a scope for lowlight hunting situations. I am thinking about the Leupold VX-III 1.5-5x20mm.

What does the board say about my choice? I am thinking low power, fast target acquisition. I don't need much high power for this rifle. MV out!

MV, your definitly on the right track. Right now on my co-pilot I have Wildwestguns peep and hi-viz front and love them (everybody who shoots it does), I also have a FXII scout scope I'm gonna throw on after christmas (should be a fun little gun). The 1.5x5 would be perfect for a standard set-up.

Most of the aftermarket sights out are good and you cant go wrong with any pick.

Great choice in optics, I have the same scope on my .375 H&H Magnum and love it. I also own an 1895. it is a 1972 vintage with a 4x fixed power scope with a post reticle. It is mounted with Weaver pivot mounts allowing the scope to be swung to the side for iron sight use. I am over 50 and find that a scope is fast becoming essential for any distance over 50 yards. The big problem is seing the sights clearly. I hope you enjoy your 1895. You certainly picked a great gun and scope as well. Congratulations!

Leupold VX-II 1-4x20mm

Good choice on the optics. If you handload you can get the 45-70 into a range that will knock anything over you care to shoot. Alot of new factory also but with a price tag that will make you feel your good deal wasn't all that good

The wood on this rifle is a burled walnut and is beautiful.

After much reading I ordered the Williams FireSight and hood to replace the almost useless one that comes on the rifle. I will sight this in first with the original rear sight. I also purchased a Leupold VX-III 1.5-5x20 and Leupold rings. This will be my new hunting rifle when done.

I did buy the Limbsaver recoil pad and was disappointed. Even though I could drill new holes the pad was still crooked on the sides like it was not made right or something. I think I am going to just tough-it-out on the recoil. I may get a mercury recoil reducer that will never show after being installed.

I will post pictures after it is all done. Right now I am fighting the Holiday Season and deliveries are slow. You have to see this wood. MV out! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Good choice on the scope. Mine wears a VXII 1-4x20 right now, but I have a new VXIII 1.5-5x20 sittin' here. It is a better scope, but will still probably end up on my 35 Whelen when I get it back. ----2MG

I forgot to say I also ordered the "WILD WEST MARLIN BEAR-PROOF EJECTOR, WILD WEST MARLIN TRIGGER-HAPPY KIT". I think this will give me the rifle I was looking for. MV out!

good move....

Here are some pics. They do not do the wood justice. I will post one more when I get all my parts in and installed. MV out!

That's some beautiful wood. I would spring for someone to professionally install a pachmayer Decelerator pad. just leave it same OAL. I had the Lyman receiver sight and the firber optic front sight for a long time from WWG. Finally took it off and went to the XS sight system. If you haven't seen it, it's certainly worth looking at although I like your choice of scopes.

can't abide a Williams firesight, just not rugged enough for the way I use a rifle.

Just glad I found mine was bent/broke at the range.

installed a Sourdough ramp and still have the WWG rear ghost ring.

rugged enough for my needs

I'm asking myself the same question about scopes. I have an 1895GG with the Wild West Ghost Rings which served me well on a black bear hunt this Spring.

I'm wanting to put a low power scope on it to get some more accuracy potential for hogs and deer out to 150yds. I like the low power Leopolds with possibly some quick release mounts.

The Williams FireSight did not work out. I now ordered the Marbles Ivory 3/32 dot and a different rear sight that will let me remove my scope and use the iron sights. I had to get a higher than stock version of each. When I get done I will post some pics. MV out!

That's some very nice wood on the buttstock, vet. I work part time at the Sportsman's Warehouse in Thornton, CO. We've noticed that Marlin has been putting very nice wood on their 336's, 1894's, and 1895's since early last year. Figures, i bought my 1895 CB a few months before the nice stuff started showing up.

I've been struggling with the old eye condition myself. I love the old Ashley Outdoors sights i put on my original 1895SS several years ago when Ashley owned the outfit. However, its getting very hard to sight in low light conditions in the late elk seasons. I may put a VX-II 1-4 on one of them and try it out this December.

By the way, the 400 grain FP Speer and 350 grain FP Hornady work great from all of my Marlins, especially on elk.

Good looking rifle, and great choice on the scope. I'm about the replace the scope on my old 1895. I have a Weaver V3 on an 1894c (357) and love that scope. I might get another one, or I might use an old Weaver K2.5 I have laying around.

A few years back I had another 1895 with a Burris 4x mini scope. I thought that was perfect, just enough magnification, and a little extra eye relief. But Burris has dropped that scope.

I have the 1x4 leu and the V3 weaver on rifles that work great. My new favorite is the Grand slam 1.5x5x32. It is still not a big scope and the 32 obj gives much better light in woods and low light---good compromise I think.

Nice lumber on that rifle. I have the same scope on my chopped XLR 45-70 and love it. Plenty of eye relief and so much better than Irons & my gittin' older eyes... Enjoy

Be safe

Patty

Darn that is some purdy wood!

Both my oldest son & I use the Brockman Generation III Sight Set W/ Tritium� if it is anything it is rugged. Kinda pricy but you only need one per rifle.

If I bought another rifle I would get another Brockman sight set.

Even though I bought one� I do wish the Marlin XLRs came with real wood� not the laminated stocks� and in a blued finish�.
The SS and Laminated stocks just don�t seem right� IMHO

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