Home Forums Lever Action Central Lever Actions - General Marlin 1895 or Win 1886?

I'm looking to get into a lever gun in .45-70. So, which should I get? A Marlin 1895 or a Winchester 1886? And why?

As a side question, how similar is the 1886 to the Win 94? Will it accept similar aftermarket parts such as sights, etc.?

I have one of each. The 86 being in .33 WCF. The 33 is a 45-70 case necked to 33 with a lot of body taper. I like both for different reasons. I think the 86 is more elegant and can be chambered for 50-110. That means the 86 has perhaps more room inside. There aftermarket parts for both. I think there may be more felt recoil with the 86 in crescent buttplate configuration. I have some heavy loads with 500 grainers in the Marlin that are every bit as much FUN as my .458 Win Mag. I guess it's a toss up for me. I usually grab the 86 these days though. Good luck in your quest. RustyZipper

It depends on what you really want it for. I think the Marlin is the best choice if hunting is the real reason for it. Many aftermarket parts for the 336 Marlin work on the 95 as well. From a mechanical and design standpoint, the 95 is a modern 20th century rifle that just happens to be a lever action. The 1886 is a usable hunting rifle with tons of history behind it. If legends and history are important to you in a hunting rifle then the 86 is a fine choice. Some 94 accessories will be applicable to it.AW

Why would the 1886 not be a good hunting arm? Is it less accurate than the Marlin 1895, or is it just too expensive to want to tear up hunting?

I think my post WAS a bit too vague in regards to the 1886's suitability as a hunting rifle. The '86 is a fine rifle for hunting. It's just not as good as the more modern 95 Marlin by comparison. It would be very difficult to prove that in most hunting scenarios though. Either will take loads stiff enough to bring tears to your eyes and technicolor to your shoulder if used without a recoil pad. In theory however, the Marlin should be the strongest action. Either will accept decent receiver peep sights to maximize accuracy. Accuracy of either can be equal .The Marlin can easily be outfitted with optical sights if so desired. Scopes on top eject (angle eject is different) Winchester levers are either forward mounted or side mounted to clear the action.
I love those old Winchesters myself. I just acknowledge the Marlin as being more modern and user friendly, thus being the "better" hunting rifle than the 1886 Winchester.AW

The sighting options available for the Marlin make it "superior" as a hunting arm. For those of us who have difficulty with iron sights, due to advancing age--or whatever--a scope sighted weapon is the way to go. Another consideration is price. A NIB Win '86 is half-again the price (on the low end) as a new Marlin, in my neck of the woods. Some folks are bothered by the fact that the Win and Browning 1886s are of Japanese manufacture. That is more a political consideration. I dislike the idea of buying firearms from a country that is as anti-gun as Japan. I managed to talk myself into a Browning 1895, just the same. I rationalized the puchase by telling myself that they are all on the secondary market so there is no direct benefit to the Japanese arms makers. I know it's BS, but I can talk myself into anything if I think on it long enough.

The Browning and Winchester 1886s and 1895s were all manufactured by Miroku and if my 1895 is a representative example, the quality is first rate. It is a beautifully made piece. However, the Marlins are widely reported to be significantly more accurate. I don't know if that's true but I have no reason to doubt it.

In the end, it's your money so you buys what you likes.

BB, i have hunted with the 1886 winchester in 33 and 45-70 rifles off and on for a number of years they are both fine rifles . the marlin 1895 has two advantages being able to put a scope on it handily and it is considerably lighter than the winchesters. don

The '86 Extra Light is the best 45-70 hunting carbine goin' these days, and I've had both. Marlins are strong, but the hammer block safety is a pain in the turd cutter, and I prefer a straight grip stock.

Muleskinner, I too have a Miroku Mfg. 1885 in 45/70, lightweight.
I use a peep receiver(Lyman), with twilight apperture screwed into it, but still in poor light definition rapidly fades awayfor my 63 year old eyes. Those are the times I wish I could mount a scout style scope on the thing, without butchering the rifle with all kinds of holes. I know that Ashley Outdoors makes bases for the 1894 Winnies, utilizing the rear sight slot and two tapped holes in the receiver ring. I do not think they make it for the 1886. Wild West Guns makes one with lots of holes tapped in the barrel. Hmmmmmmmm.
How do you cope with yours, and in what kind of hunting situations have you used it?

I can only say from handling the rifles i give the edge to the Marlin. However, I am partial to the M71 and people who answer thier e-mails.

Wuzzagrunt,
I have owned 2 1886 45/70 Rifles both modern Mfg.
I still have the lightweight. Both rifles shot with irons within two inches @ 100 yards for 7 shot groups. Hard to improve on that.

The Marlin is made OH SO MUCH better and functions as is. The Winchester is a real turd, sloppy, inaccurate...poor fit and finish. Flinch

marlin every time the winchesters lever actions i have shot i always felt had sloppy actions the marlins are tight and i think way more accurate..

Flinch, Huey: There is nothing loose, sloppy or inaccurate about the new production 1886 ELR that I have. Quality of fit and finish exceed any Marlin I have ever seen. Have you guys ever seen a new 86 or are you thinking of a different model, possibly a Mod. 94?. You won't get any disagreement from me on that puppy. The Marlins have the scope mount advantage and I think that is where the claims of better accuracy originate. Most guys shoot scopes pretty well off the bench and aren't worth spit with open sights.

you are right im talking the model 94 and 336 both in 30-30 i guess i shouldnt talk about guns i havent shot but ive owned 2 marlins (30-30 and .444 marlin) and havent had any problems and both shot extremely well the 94 was sloppy and the side mount scope i never got used to i guess

My favorite hunting rifle is my Guide Gun. I did scope it after a couple years of using Ashleys, mostly just to see what it could do on targets. It showed much promise with the Ghost ring, I had to try it. After putting just about everything into an inch or less, I couldn't get myself to take it off. It carries great, points better and shoots tighter than it has a right to. To me, I can't think of a better .45-70 lever gun for hunting.



BTW, I ignore the safety. Besides being ugly, it doesn't bother me.

Hey Stocker. Who made that '86? Where was it made? Rusty Zipper

They are two peas in a pod. I prefer the Marlin.

rustyzipper:They are made by Miroku in Japan. I think that is who built all the repro's for Browning and USRAC.
best

"Made in Japan" may be why there is quality built into the gun. Better than made in USA sometimes. A sad but frequently true situation. I hate it but that is why I buy a good used gun instead of a new one most of the time. The old ones with condition are better made than new. Good luck. Rusty Zipper