Home Forums Lever Action Central Big Bore Levers Marlin 1895 Reliability

I'm getting the itch to own another .45/70 after a few years without one. At this point I'm undecided as to which one I should get. It will either be a Marlin 1895 Classic or a Ruger #1. I owned a Marlin a few years ago and foolishly sold it and I currently own a couple Ruger #1s so I know that they're both excellent rifles.

One thing I'm curious about is whether or not anyone here has ever had a Marlin 1895 fail to feed, fire or eject or even personally seen it. Of course we should exclude operator error where someone has short stroked the lever.

My first one (a M1895 LTD-IV) was purchased in 2000 and fired hundreds of times using a 405 grain lead bullet and 28 grains of XMP5744. I never had a failure to feed or fire. My new one, purchased last April, has already been fired a couple of hundred times and has exhibited the exact same reliability as the first one. In fact it amazes me to watch a round as big as a small cigar feed so smoothly through the action. As you learned the first time, you cannot go wrong with a Marlin M1895.

I have shot a few through my 1895 as well -- in 300, 350 400, 405 grain jacketed in any combination, and any order. Never a glitch. I have shot 405 gr hard cast homecasts as well, and again, flawless. And that was before I knew you had to watch the COL.

I also have an H&R Buffalo Classic, and it is also a pretty good shooter.

My .444 and Guide Gun have been totally reliable.

That said, I'll probably suffer a malfunction the next time I fire it......

Thanks for the feedback. It gives me a lot more motivation to get myself another big bore lever gun.

I've had an 1895SS for 30+ years - never a problem - mostly using full-house 400gr loads.

Reading about the 1895SBL is sure giving me an itch!!!!

My .45-70 is one uf' thu' ol' Marlins made way back afore' them' new fangled' safeties. Way back before. Neber' had no problum' wit' nuttin' I ever fed it. Nows' afore' yall' jumps' on me fur' my spellin', peoples' frum' Texas talk lik' this!!!!

My 2008 1895G has had no malfs of any kind in 200 or so rounds of several factory loads.

Well, my 1895 CB locked up on me once at the range and wouldn't close. Turns out it was a bit dirty inside. I got it used and didn't take it apart before I went to play with it. Once I cleaned and lubed it, no more problems.

I owned one marlin guide gun 45-70. I sold it in the midst of trying to buy a new gun and just like you found out it was a mistake to sell it. I had a single shot buffalo classic and well it was fun, you just can't beat a lever action in 45-70. I fired probably 1000 round through that marlin and if the cartridge would fit into the magazine, it would not jam. in fact it never jammed once. Now I am buying the SBL for christmas because it comes with everything I would want on a new guide gun. I knew I would have a marlin 45-70 back in my collection and now it's happening. I thought about a #1 in 458 lott, win and 45-70 along with a bolt gun in 416 rigby and 458 lott, but I just couldn't pass up the old great 45-70 lever action.
I think you have an itch that needs to be scratched.

I've owned 4 of them and never had a problem.

I've owned 4 Marlins so far in 45-70. Three were the "classic" and one a Guide Gun with the ports. I soon got rid of it because I wanted to keep the little hearing I have left!

My newest (2005) failed to feed right out of the box because of a bent follower. That was soon remedied by my gunsmith. I've fired so many thousands of rounds through 4 Marlins and 3 Rugers over the past 20+ years that I've lost track.

Let me also point out that the vast majority of those thousands through either Marlins or Rugers were near or at max.

I've shot anything from 300's to 600-grainers and never a feeding or extraction problem with either model, due to components or pressure. The one problem mentioned was due to a manufacturing fault which was soon corrected.

My last Ruger was "improved" (long-throated)eight years ago, and is fully equal to a .458WM with equal length barrel.

The 45-70 is my all-time favorite cartridge and rifle... and I've owned and used about every popular magnum that exists, including some that are not so popular like the 308 Norma.

I must add though, I currently own two magnum bolt-actions, and they are among my all-time favorite cartridges: a .458WM and a .300WM.

It should also be mentioned that I owned and used a NEF 45-70 (single-shot) with 22" tube and black syn, stock. I shot a very nice bear with it at 70 yds. Load was a 465gr hardcast at 1935 fps. The bear was flattened! A worthy rifle. It was traded into my .458WM.

Bob

www.bigbores.ca

I have 2 of those Marlin 1895 models in the .444 & 45/70! I had to change out a spring in the 45/70 and after that, all was satisfactory and it worked like a magic wond.

I have put many, many, many rounds through an 1895M and have never had a problem of any sort.

I bought my '95 in 1992 and have no idea how many rounds I've put through it and never had a failure in feed. I do my own loads and use mostly 300 & 350 Gr. Hornadys but an occasional 400 gr cast and jacketed has gone through it.

Had my .45-70 guide gun, since 2003. Been on numerous hog hunts, a bear hunt, and a trip to South Africa, for plains game. Nary a glitch or hangup. It's 1 of 2 guns in my gun case that I would NEVER give up.

maddog

I bought a 1895CB in 45-70. It had a problem with feeding. Marlin took the gun back and I got a new one. The new one is much better, but, unless I run the action fast the rounds hang a little and actually dent the cartrige midway. I figured after all the trouble with the first gun, this was as good as it was going to get. Sounds like maybe I should send this one back too.
I have an XLR IN .444 and it's as smooth as silk. It's only the 45-70 I am having the trouble. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Ed

Never any problems - just success.

great. But I am refering to the 1895CB 45-70.

My 1895 Marlin Cowboy in 45-70 has given NO problems. Reliability has been perfect, and it is deadly accurate with both 405 and 480 grain cast bullets. I have put a flip up ladder barrel sight off of a '73 Winchester and a blade sight made from a copper penny on it, and it is EASY to hit steel silhouetts at 350 yards with it.