Home Forums Lever Action Central Big Bore Levers Marlin 1895 Reliability

Ok. Then cycling ammunition through your 1895 in 45-70, even at moderate speeds does not ever cause the ammunition to hang half way, or even tend to rub heavy on the carrier? When I cycle ammo slowly or evem at moderate speeds, I actually bend brass. This does not occur in my XLR in 444.
I appreciate those who have rifles that are flawless. I do not mean to be rude, but I am only looking for answers to a specific question. If this is another rare occurance. Another rare Marlin the operates at less than 100%, I would love to know. I love the gun. Love the caliber. I hate the fact it cycles like crap. But, who know's, maybe I have now owned the only 2 bad marlins built, and now I either need to have Marlin repair this one or send me the third......for the charm. What do you guys think?
Ed

Are you using factory fodder or reloads. I hav heard that COAL is pretty critical in the 45-70 levers. Hasn't proved to be in mine yet.

Factory.... Remington, Hornady. They cycle the same.


I plan on having this gun looked at locally by a Cert. Marlin GS. If anyone knows of one up here in Helena Montana or close by I would appreciate that information.
If I can't find a smith, I will send it back to Marlin and see what they can do. I would sure like to end up with a CB that cycles as well as my XLR 444. That is perfection.

You should be able to. Don't give up, yet.

I have owned both the .444 and .45-70, and both actions were not at all picky about how they were cylced. You should be able to achieve this with your .45-70. My father had a .30-30, and it was slick as butter. Several friends have .30-30s and .35s that work with no problem.

There is a smooth-feeding .45-70 out there somewhere with your name on it, just keep tryin' to find it.

You realise, of course, the differences between the Marlin 1895 G and 1895 CB, being just 8 " of barrel length and the octagonal barrel profile, are meaningless when action reliability is discussed.

Never had any problem with 1895 in 45-70 with handloads or factory fodders. Must keep the overall cartridge length right. no problem also with my 356Winch 336ER or my 30-30. Friend of mine making 50 Alascan cal customs on Marlin action has lot of work to do but when correctly made no problem of reliability, feeding or extracting cases. Here is a picture of one of the.50

I was stressing the 45-70, not the CB. Thought that would have been obvious. My mistake

My mistake, then. I did not understand that. Still, all critters, and many more, in my above post, have been taken with that Guide gun in .45-70 Government.

I have used the following bullets:

400 gr. Speer FN @ 1800 fps
350 gr. Speer FN @ 1900 fps
300 gr. Sierra FN @ 2000 fps
300 gr. Barnes TSX FN @ 1700 fps
400 gr. GS Custom FN Solid @ 1700 fps

Worked all as intended. No surprise there.

Fraser, I once had a problem with both my Marlin 1895 models in the .444 Marlin and 45/70 rifles. I was using them off and on to hunt hogs but ended up having a couple of JAM sessions with both those rifle's.

I took out the springs and cleaned them, however that didn't seem to cause the prblem and the jamming was only only now and then but it bothered me nonetheless. I got in touch with a couple of people and Marlin. They didn't seem to have any solution, other than "keep the guns clean" etc. These two particular rifles were only a year old at that time.

I simply put aftermarket springs in both those rifles and they have NEVER given me a bit of a problem since that date. I fire both hardcast and jacketed bullets from out of both rifles. I know shoot more hardcast than anything else out of them and they are very accurate down range. I have a scope now mounted on the .444 caliber and the 45/70 is naked in that respect.

Buy the Marlin...you won't regret your purchase.

FMP

YUP!

I am a die-hard Winchester man but I too will cast a vote for those Marlin lever guns. You will not regret it one iota!

The 1895 SBL looks pretty nice. But the 1895 GBL is the one I'm after. Pretty much the same gun but blued.