Home Forums Lever Action Central Big Bore Levers Marlin XLR 45/70?

What is the word on the XLR? I figure that they will do a great job and I kinda like the 24 inch tube. In a perfect world Marlin would make mine with a straight gripped 22", but hey, I can always chop the XLR down right?

They look like a lot of gun for the money.

I have a 6X42 Leupold, HEAVY DUPLEX WITH A TURRET I might put onm top just for chitts and giggles. Methinks it might work very well as a general purpose tool.

BMT

Before you buy, you may try calling Marlin and asking if they would put a 22 inch barrel on a Guide gun. I called years ago when I had a ported guide gun, as I hated the ports, and was quoted $125 but that was for a blued gun. They may be able to accomodate you. Money wise it would be a wash, modified Guide gun vs. chopped XLR

Good point, thanx.

BMT

Bought one from cariboujack here on the Campfire. Great gun and the only lever ri currently own. Personally I can't see chopping off 2 inches of barrel but each has his own preference. I love mine and have put a different set of sights on it. Can't wait to get out and shoot it now.

That is great.

I keep looking around for the "perfect" rifle.

BMT

BMT,
Finding that "perfect" rifle is a lifetime endevor!
Just turned 55, and I'm still on the "search" (grin)
Although a 45-70 might work....Think I'm close with the 38-55.
Virgil B.

VB:

Tha Modle 94 38-55 is just about perfect.

BMT

I am afflicted with the same search for the "perfect" rifle. I have a 45/70 XLR, which is currently being reduced in LOP with Decellerator, barrel length to 20", WWG sights/trigger/ejector, and bead blasted. I am "currently" considering this my "perfect" 45/70. Anxiously waiting on the notification to pick it up from the shop. For my purposes, I perfer the 20" barrel, but can accept the 22", but do not care for the 18 nor 24" versions.
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Took my 1895 XLR out today with the new Brockman sights on it. Precision machining is great. I put the sights on, which were centered and it took 6 shots to fine tune it at 100 yds. 2 shots at 25 and then 4 at 100. Amazing thing is that even with my old eyes I got 3 shot raged holes at 100 yds. I know, I know "Even a blind squirrel finds a nut now and then!" I still am kind of proud of that group!

Idmay,
Would you report back on your mods? Am interested in the wild west trigger. Just bought an XLR with 24" barrel. Am thinking I might have it bobbed to 18" Also, mine came from the factory with a Decellerator pad already on it.
I've finally got my wet weather levergun.
Thanks! Virgil B.

Virgil,
I picked up the rifle today. I had a blued model done previously(minus the bead blast of couse. Also, I had my son's SS Guide Gun, bead blasted, WW Trigger, ejector, and sights added. All 3 rifles had the factory rear sight removed and a blank installed. II have not had the opportunity to measure the trigger pull on the XLR, but if I recall correctly my son's broke consistently at around 3 lbs and my blue model at 3.25 with the WW triggers. I will reconfirm that later today and measure the XLR. All of them break very clean and the factory triggers were in the 5 lb plus pull range and definitely not a smooth pull. IF, I can figure out how to post some pictures, I will. I had my barrels shortened to 20", which I prefer over the 18 or 18.5 that my son's Guide Gun has. I actually thought I liked the standard 22 best, until I bobbed the 1st one to 20".

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Would you report back on your mods? Am interested in the wild west trigger. Just bought an XLR with 24" barrel. Am thinking I might have it bobbed to 18" Also, mine came from the factory with a Decellerator pad already on it.
I've finally got my wet weather levergun.
Thanks! Virgil B.

BMT,shouldnt that be "perfect rifles",man needs more than one perfect gun surely!

Idmay,
Thanks for the report!
Don't know what my trigger pull is now, but would gusstamate 6 lbs. The WildWest trigger sounds well worth while. A clean 3 lb. pull would be ideal.
Virgil B.

Looked it up and the Wild West trigger is $80. plus! My trigger seems to be getting better with use. Think I'll put the trigger on "hold"
Virgil B.

Virgil B.
I give up on attempting to post a picture. But, the list of trigger pulls on the 45/70's that I have accees to are as follows:
22" Factory un-modified = 4 lbs 14 ozs to 5lbs.
20" blued with WWG trigger = 3 lb
18.5" Stainless Guide Gun (my son's) with WWG trigger = 2.5 lbs.
20" Stainless XLR with WWG trigger = 2.75 lbs.
Was hoping to post a picture of these, but beyond my technical aptitude. I went with the XLR to get the SS/Laminated and had no hesitation of shortening the barrel to 20".

One of these two might be in the works from Marlin, as I had found these over at the Marlin forum site.

I sure like the looks of the top one! The barrel looks to be 18"
Mine will look similar, just a little shorter mag. and a 17" barrel. (grin!) Can't WAIT to get 'er back from the 'smith!
Virgil B.

As much as I like my 24" tube on my XLR, if Marlin comes out with one like the top one, I'm going to be forced to buy one! Need has nothing to do with it! I would have to change out that lever though. They could do a lot for that gun if the enlarged it a bit and smoothed up the edges!

I could like either one of those two above. Love the cartridge too.

Got my XLR back from the 'smith. Wow!
I'm really pleased with the way it turned out. I made the right call on barrel length, 17" is perfection for me! This rifle handles like it has eyes! Actually, with this short barrel, the fiber optic bead seems to "jump" into alignment when you pull the gun up.
Have a new FAVORITE brush gun!....One happy old fart here!
Virgil B.