MARLIN 1895G - Is porting a good option for this rifle?

[Ridge Runner]

Found a ported Marlin 1895 45-70 guide gun ported for $440. Is the porting really a benefit for this rifle?

Will the new Leverevolution ammo work well in it? What adjustments need to be made? I plan on using it for deer hunting under 150 yards.

Is the noise that bad?

Where is the best online price for a non-ported 45-70 guide gun? Locally they want $565 NIB.

[davem270win]

Marlin, I think, has dropped offering the porting on factory guns. It does make it louder, and I wouldn't want to be the guy shooting at the bench next to you.

If you want to port, I would suggest the longer barrel.

If recoil is a concern, you may want to look at better recoil pads. IMHO, the 45-70 does not kick all that bad, as it's more of a push than a punch.

[Ridge Runner]

What about the price listed for a NIB non-ported one? Does that seem really high?

[Graybeard]

I don't think porting is a good option for ANY rifle personally. For it to work as claimed (actually that's not possible as the claims are generally speaking bogus) they need higher pressures. Since the .45-70 operates are fairly low pressures as rifle rounds go the porting is even less effective than otherwise.

Porting doesn't reduce recoil really it merely redirects it and in the process makes the gun far noiser than without and really works on the ears of the shooter and those on either side of them. In case you've not figured it out yet I'm not a fan of porting.

[john keyes]

non-ported 45-70 guide gun

no such thing.  Guide gun = cut down ported barrel.  There are many unported guns that are louder.
And yes, it works well.

[Swampman]

I had a non-ported Guide Gun, and I loved it.  I wouldn't buy the ported version.

[kyelkhunter3006]

I've seen both versions as well. They don't port any of the new guns at all.  At least the one's I've seen weren't, and they don't list it in any descriptions on the website.

[Ridge Runner]

What are all of you seeing for prices on 1895G guns?

[kyelkhunter3006]

On gunbroker, most of what I've seen is in the $500 range, give or take $50 depending on the seller, for new guns.

[RGS]

I have a GG.  It is ported and it helps with muzzle rise.  Whether it is "loud" or not all I can say is center fire rifles are LOUD.  If you shoot under a tin roof at the range it will be very uncomfortable if you do not wear hearing protection.  But I don't know anyone who shoots without it, so there ya go.  Get you some muffs and  have a good time.  If you have your ears on, who the heck cares?  The 45-70 is pretty tame compared to the whiz bang ultra thermos bottle cartridge blasters.  Folks aren't bashful about blazing away with those things.

At least you won't be shucking hot brass all over your neighbor at the next bench.  For me personally, .308 brass up side my head is more of a distraction then muzzle blast.  I'd prefer you on my left with a GG over the guy with his M1A.   

[BBF]

Buy the rifle you like for the $ you want to spend. Ported or otherwise.This is a hunting rifle not something you bench shoot all day so the guys next to you don't matter

[Badnews Bob]

The ports on my GG do make a diffrence, But only when I use the jacked up hotrodded handloads, which are loud and rude and kill on both ends anyway. Did I mention I don't like shooting those? If you use some loads like the rem green box, non ported is fine and much fun to shoot.

 BTW They knock the stuffing right outta whitetails.

[Lloyd Smale]

ive shot both side by side with the same heavy load and it did make the ported gun substantialy less abusive. Personaly though if it were me buying it id go non ported. At least then you could take it hunting and fire a shot without plugs in and still hear the next day.

[DC]

 I don't think porting is a good idea at all.  It makes the gun horrendously loud.  On a 45.70, if you are shooting Buffalo Bore ammo it will smack you good but you don't shoot a ton of them at the range anyway.  For alot of reasons, I would not port a Marlin in 45.70.
For most everyday shooting just go out make smoke and forget the porting.

[bishopgrandpa]

My ported GG directs the recoil straight back and kicks the snot out of me as compared to my 22" non-ported barrel with the same load. I'll take the nonported anyday. The short barrel is very accurate but so is the 22". This is with a 450.