I need to remove the barrel from a Marlin 1895. I have a a barrel vise and action wrenches for the Rem 700 and Mauser/Win 70 actions.

My question is - what type of 'wrench' is used on the receiver of the Marlin 1895? I've thought of 'sandwiching' the action between 2 lengths of angle iron, but would like some other ideas/advise.

I use an out side wrench comprised of a couple of pieces of 1" key stock. This is clamped on the outside of the action. After disassembling the action, replace the bottom plate/tang to act as a spacer and prevent crushing of the receiver. Also, be careful tightening the barrel up in the barrel vise. It is possible to create a constriction in the barrel if the vise is overtightened. The longer the bushing; the better. Use some rosing to prevent slippage without overtightening. GD

GreyDog, thanks for the insight. After thinking about this a bit more, I did come up with the idea of putting the tang/bottom plate in to avoid crushing. I've got some aluminum rounds that I'm going to make a bushing for my barrel.

I have a related question. A friend of mine has a .444 Marlin that he has offered to sell me for a very reasonable price. The main attraction is that it has a beautiful piece of walnut making up the stocks. If not for the checkering pattern and Marlin bullseye in the stock one would think that it was an expensive custom stock.

However, it is missing the sights, has an extra hole drilled on the top of the barrel and I am equipped for and (well stocked with) .45/70 supplies. I believe that a rebarrel to 45/70 would be a simple rebarrel without any modification needed. Am I right that no other modifications would be needed?

I have not tried to re-barrel any other Marlin to 45/70 but I suspect some modification is necessary to accomodate the larger magazine tube and the cartridge lifter would have to be changed. Not sure about the ejection port since I don't have one handy to measure. GD

Ejection port, boltface, extractor, lever, carrier, magazine tube and follower, as well as the loading gate are all different from 444 to 45/70. Be a huge hassle and waste of $$ to do the conversion. Buy the 444 and an 1895 in 45/70, swap the wood and trip the 444 down the road if the wood is the only real draw.