Winchester 1886 or Marlin 1895 Cowboy?

[Ron C.]

Planning to purchase one or the other, want a 45-70 that can use the hotter loadings but also has the old west look.  Any opinions of those who have owned one or both welcome.  Like the longer barrel and 9 shot tube on Marlin but the Win has the classic look.  Thanks

[86er]

 Although I don't own any Marlins to offer a comparison, I do own several 1886 Winchesters in various calibers. They are without a doubt the best looking and strongest of the two manufacturers. My original(1915) 45-70 handles Buffalo Bore loads with ease, as does the new 1886 EL by Miroku. Handloading is the only way to go with the 45-70. You can develope any number of loads to suit your needs. For the most part, factory ammo is loaded to 1873 Springfield pressure limits and is pretty anemic, but will still get the job done at close range.
    Whichever gun you choose will give years of enjoyment. The 45-70 is a great cartridge that is going strong after 130 years of service.

[Flint]

I owned a 45-70 Marlin, and I have shot the Winchester.  The Winchester is heavier, and the recoil is much less disturbing.  The Marlin is too light for the caliber, I believe, and after a dozen shots, I could no longer keep it on target.  I now have an Uberti Hi-Wall Winchester clone with a heavy barrel, and it is easier to shoot, though obviously not a repeater.  The Trapdoor Springfield is also a heavy kicker.

[Graybeard]

I agree with Flint on the Marlin. Way too light to be shooting with max loads. Kicks the snot outta ya. I let mine go for that reason. But then I do need rotator cuff surgery real badly and if that wasn't a problem who knows how I'd have felt about the recoil. Still it is wicked.

GB

[Ron C.]

I probably was not clear on the specific models.  I am looking at a Winchester 1886 Extra Light with 22 inch barrel, weighs about 7 1/2 lbs and the Marlin 1895 Cowboy which has a 26 inch octagonal barrel and full length mag tube,  Marlin lists it at 8 lbs.  In this case the Marlin is actually heavier.  I can get the Winchester for about $625 out the door, the Marlin would be about $75 less.  Leaning towards the Win.

[wesco]

I have four Marlin 1895's includinga Cowboy, and I just picked up my first 1886, a pre-1900 original. And all i can say is get the Winchester now, and  Cowboy later. They are making and will continue to make the Cowbo's but that is a great price on the Winchester, and if you don't want it, tell me where to go because after the original, I am hooked and need more. I am going to sell a Marlin to get one of the EL's this month. MUST HAVE!!

Wesco

[Graybeard]

The rifle I was referring to was a Marlin Model 1895 Cowboy just as you mentioned. No way did it weight any 8 pounds. Seven maybe but definitely NOT eight.

You shoot those heavy loads in it and it will jam your eye teeth for sure. I fired two three shot groups with mine the first day I took it out. My shoulder was black and blue for over a week from it. Those were some reloads using book max charges over 300 and 400 grain bullets.

Next time out I fired some Black Hills Cowboy loads and it was nice with them. Fired one three shot group with some Buffalo Bore 430s and WOW! Pain and agony on me. That was with Pachmayr Decellerator pad. I took the pad off and made it original again and traded it off without ever firing it again. Yeah it hurt that bad.

GB

[wesco]

Graybeard,

You too were lulled into the cult of the light 458 win mag--lol. I too had to shoot max loads out of my Marlins when I first got them--because I could. When I came to the realization that a simple 405-430 grain bullet at 1500-1650 fps load will end to end an Elk the question became why do I THINK I need 400+ grains at 1900-2000 fps? We have no grizzly here in Oregon, and even if we did my 1650 fps 420 grain bullet would satisfy me. Because I shoot it like a lazer because recoil is tolerable. Better then balck and blue shoulders and big flinches!

Wesco