1886 vs. 1895, which is best? Comments!

[Justice Trimble]

Hi Guys,

I'm seriously considering the purchase of either the Win. 1886 with 26 inch barrel in 45-70 OR...the Marlin 1895 45-70 with 26 inch barrel.  So, I need your help in making a decision.  

First, which is the best gun for the money?  I've heard a lot about each.  I plan to hunt with it and do a little target practice.  I don't plan to shoot loads heavy enough to kill elephants, so I won't be worrying too much about recoil.  I own two 45-70's now and just want an additional one with a long barrel.  Of course, I love leverguns.  

So, which is more practical?  Which is more suitable for hunting?  Which is easier to use?  Which is more suitable for my needs?  

What do you guys think?  

I really do appreciate you time and your responses.

Thanks,

JT.... :-)

[targshooter]

Justice,
I know this sounds politically correct, but they are both great guns. I have not handled an 1886 for almost 30 years, but I remember them as top ejecting rifles. Therefore, they were not easy to scope as the top of the receiver was open. The Marlin 1895 has a solid top receiver and is very easy to scope. So, I would pick the 1886 if I was going with iron sights, whereas I would pick the 1895 for scope applications. Other than that criterion, both rifles handle about the same for me, and both are well made in my estimation. If you are a technocrat, the 1886 is a little more interesting, at least to me. To me, the 1886 also has a nostalgic eye appeal that the more modern 1895 does not. Overall, I really like both and have no real reasons other than the type of sight to truly recommend one over the other.

[John Traveler1]

Justic Trimble,

A few years ago, I was in your predicament:  My desire for the Winchester 1886 vs the Marlin 1895 was balanced by the overpriced original collector's pieces or an expensive new Winchester reproduction.  I settled for the Marlin 1895SS and have since added an 1895 CB edition with 26" octagon barrel and several other Marlins.  I've not looked back since.

I've handled and shot new samples of the Winchester/Browning 1886 and still believe they are very nice guns.  The real question is whether they are so nice that they justify twice the price of the same caliber gun by Marlin.  

Something like 80% of Cowboy Action Shooter prefer Marlin Lever guns for competition.  From your online "handle", I take it you are a CAS competitor?  That may help make your decision.

HTH
John

[Barbarossa]

Hi
  If it were me I would choose a Browning 86 over the Marlin, twice the price yes but twice the gun also.There is no way a marlin can come close to the smoothness of the action , quality and all round good looks its a classic.I currently have a browning 86 in carbine form and to be honest it makes a better hunting gun than the 86 rifle basically because of the weight.I had the rifle version killed a few head of game with it but it did get tiresome toting around all day.The carbine has a 22inch barrel and is a dream to carry and comes to the shoulder with ease.


 My two cents

                                                                          Jeff

[horseman308]

I'm assuming that you're loading your own ammo. Are you going to use smokeless or blackpowder? I don't know about the 1886, but the 1895 weighs so little, that shooting a factory charged .45-70 in it was quite painful. It'd probably be fine in blackpowder or loaded down.

[DakotaElkSlayer]

Have you checked out the new Marlin XLR series?
http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/xlr/default.aspx

Jim

[John Y Cannuck]

My personnal belief, and I say again, it's my personal belief. Is that the newer '86 actions are a bit stronger, if that's a consideration. I am basing this on only one example, but, as my '86 is an original, with a modern barrel, I think the comparrison to the newer Brownchester rifles should be fair.
What happened?
I had done some reloads in max loads for my rifle. I mistakenly assumed that they would be safe in my friends stainless Marlin. (Yes, I should know better!!)

Big OOPS!   :shock:  :shock:

When he fired the gun, he could only open it by prying it open with a board through the lever.

The loads produced no pressure sign in my rifle, and the action always openned smoothly.

[wilded]

I have a new in the box…
Winchester 1886 limited edition one of 500 # 418 in 45/70
Blue finish. Walnut satin non-checkered straight stock.
Hold 8+1, manual tang safety, cowboy buckhorn sights
26” octagon barrel, Steel Crescent Butt Plate
Full-Length Mag tube,Octagonal Bbl,Steel Forend Cap
$1275.00  shipping $25.00 plus insurance to your FFL

[tanoose]

Theres the difference the Marlin 1895 Cowboy can be picked up for $543.00 at Walmart and Gander Mountain. I used to have the 1895ss with a 22" micro grooved barrel . (very sorry i sold that rifle) I am now getting ready to order the cowboy model and intend to use a williams rear peep sight . There are days when i like to go out and hunt without a scope i intend to use this for deer and black bear in NY. Later Tanoose

[realidahorock]

Well, the marlin 1895 is the first choice of gunsmiths converting 45/70's to the harder charging 50 Alaskan's and such. so I doubt that stregth is the deciding issue here. The Marlin's are lighter and easier handling. The only draw back would be to the recoil sensitive shooter I suppose. And then of course they still make Marlin rifles :wink:  What do you do when you are duck hunting in a boat and your buddy yells "duck!"? realidahorock