Marlin Stainless Guide Gun with longer barrel?

[Zachary]

I really would like to get a Marlin Guide Gun, but I don't like the super short 18.5" barrel.  I shot one the other day and the muzzle blast from the 450 Marlin was alot.  I'm thinking that a longer barrel would keep the blast a bit further away.  I would really like a Stainless Marlin with the ported barrel to also be available with a 22" or 24" barrel, which means that you could also have a higher ammo capacity.  I think this would be great for hogs.  Would a longer barrel help in the muzzle blast department?

Zachary

[Zachary]

That's what my thinking was.   I sure wish that they would come out with a longer barrel.

[Mikey]

Zac:  I agree with your idea but you won't necessarily get a higher magazine capacity with just a longer barrel unless you have a longer magazine tube installed.  

I picked up a Winchester 94 Big Bore in 444 and the muzzle blast and recoil was not pleasant.  I sent mine off to The Montana Rifleman for a 26" barrel, full length magazine tube and Lyman Tang Sight, and love it.  It shoots like a dream.  Doesn't weigh any more than a full length Marlin but it weighs enough to dampen the recoil and help control the damage to my ears.  It is also one hay of an accurate som-nuv-a-gun.  I just don't have enough time to shoot it as much as I would like.  

If you prefer the stock configuration on the Guide Gun but want the longer barrel of the full length rifle, you can either go the rebarrel route or get the full length rifle from Marlin and install the Guide Gun stock.  Hope this helps.  This be Mikey.

[Old Syko]

Just wunderin?  If you add 5 1/2" to the barrel of a guide gun and extend the mag tube, Is it still a guide gun?  Why not just get a different model that offers what you're lookin for?  It'd be a lot less hassle.  Like I say, just wunderin. :?

[STW]

Just wunderin?  If you add 5 1/2" to the barrel of a guide gun and extend the mag tube, Is it still a guide gun?  Why not just get a different model that offers what you're lookin for?  It'd be a lot less hassle.  Like I say, just wunderin. :?

True, but do they offer it in 45-70? I've been looking at guide guns because I want the 45-70, but would prefer more mag, a 20" barrell and no porting.

Now that I'm hearing that Marlin's 2003 will not have the porting, then the standard guide will be plenty close enough to what I want--18.5" isn't 20" but it's close enough to have similar MV, and the mag capacity isn't a reason not to get the guide gun.

[Mikey]

Old Syko:  No, I think that by adding another 5.5 inches to the barrel would contradict the concept of a short barrelled Guide Gun.  I also think that adding another couple of inches does not detract from the gun's utility in the woods.  Adding the full length magazine tube with another 4-6 inches of barrel would get Zach closer to his barrel length and magazine capacity.

Also, Marlin has their 45-70 Cowboy gun, with it's long octoganal barrel and full length tube.  I wonder if Zach has seen or considered that one????  Mikey.

[Old Syko]

Just wunderin at what barrel length the 1895GS quits being known as a guide gun, 19, 20, 21, or what?  I've no idea myself.  If more mag capacity is what some one seeks, why would they not consider the 444P?  Again, just wunderin.

[STW]

Dealer showed me an almost new Marlin 45-70 1895, the one that has a 22" un-ported barrel with the same short magazine as the guide gun. Sounds like what I was looking for, although I prefer the straight stock and this one has the grip stock.

Dealer wants $350 for it. Apparently that one of their customers put only 10 rounds or so through it before deciding he hated the recoil and asked them to sell it for him.

What does the 1895 go for new? The guide guns at the same dealer are in the $535 range.