Author Topic: Pro's / con's of the guide gun (Read 1363 times)

slimman75 · « **on:** December 03, 2004, 03:11:12 AM »

Hey I am thinking of getting a 45/70 marlin guide. It's stainless and ported most of my hunting is in the timber. Let me know what you think. Thanks Slim

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 03, 2004, 03:19:22 AM »

In my opinion it is a great gun. I had one in 444Marlin. I still have my 1895 in 45-70 and I love the gun. Great heavy cover gun.

oso45-70 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 03, 2004, 06:26:02 PM »

Slim,
I have two of them one blue and one stainless and i wouldn't take any thing for either one. Shooting them is about as much fun as you can have with your pants on. Just an old mans opinion,,Good luck.........Joe..........

Thebear_78 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 03, 2004, 06:42:29 PM »

I just got a stainless GG and have been extremely impressed with it. The first load that I have tried in it will shoot extremely well. Its very handy and a dream to shoot offhand. I put a leupold scout scope on it and a set of XS ghost ring sights. I think it is about the best close range big game rifle set up you can get.

Lawdog · « **Reply #4 on:** December 04, 2004, 12:00:31 PM »

slimman75,

Quote

It's stainless and ported

The 18.5" barrel ont he Guide Gun, even un-ported, is LOUD. Ported, it's EVEN LOUDER. Don't let anyone try to tell you different. Marlin no longer ports the barrels on the Guide Gun and that was for a reason. They were offering to replace ported barrels with un-ported barrels at a minor cost. You would have to get in touch with Marlin to find out about this as I no longer have the advertisement they sent out. I see no advantage of the Guide Gun over the Marlin 22" barreled 1895. Twas' me I would go with the 1895 and forget that short barreled .45-70 and save your hearing. Lawdog

Thebear_78 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 04, 2004, 02:31:41 PM »

I haven't noticed my ported guide gun being any louder than any of my large caliber rifles. Guns are loud!!!Period!!! I don't have any trouble shoot my guide gun along with any of my rifles, I always wear earplugs when at the range and haven't noticed it out hunting. The loudest gun I have ever shot was a 454 revolver, even my 44 mag revolver seems louder than my guide gun. I have a 18" barrel for my encore and haven't noticed it to be any quieter than my ported guide gun.

OrangeWing · « **Reply #6 on:** December 04, 2004, 05:10:43 PM »

You want loud? Try my custom .460 with the brake on. The muzzle blast will knock shells over that are at the back of the reciever. I agree with the .454 also being loud. It is louder then my TC 375JDJ. I really don't think the shorter Guide gun is much if any louder then the longer one. But then, after shooting 100,000's of shells noise seems to be less & less over the years.

TennesseeNuc · « **Reply #7 on:** December 04, 2004, 08:11:35 PM »

slimman,
I don't think you can go wrong with the 45-70 Guide Gun. All of the reports that I have seen, on different web sites ,concerning the accuracy, reliability and functioning of the Guide Gun are consistant with the experience that I have with mine.
I guess it's my favorite rifle.
Best,
TnNuc

pc · « **Reply #8 on:** December 04, 2004, 09:52:24 PM »

Are the stainless marlin guide guns prone to galling ??

TennesseeNuc · « **Reply #9 on:** December 05, 2004, 06:22:11 PM »

pc,
You won't have a problem if you use the right lube. I found that RIG stainless lube does an excellent job. I also use it on heavy friction points on carbon steele guns.
Best,
TnNuc

Harry Snippe · « **Reply #10 on:** December 12, 2004, 09:44:02 PM »

I just wish Marlin would not be so generous with the bore size and do something different with the speed bump in the barrrel . The guide gun I had had both of these problems and would not shoot any groups under three inch'sat 100 yards.I like what the 45/70 did on game and some day maybe check the bore on the longer version of the 1895 Marlin , or look for a used BLR in the 450 M.( well that is like looking for striped chicken beaks)I would like to compare the bores.
The BLR in 358W is a nice rifle too as I bought one to replace the Marlin guide . More Money! More Gun!
Happy

pc · « **Reply #11 on:** December 13, 2004, 12:35:30 AM »

Quote from: TennesseeNuc

pc,
You won't have a problem if you use the right lube. I found that RIG stainless lube does an excellent job. I also use it on heavy friction points on carbon steele guns.
Best,
TnNuc

TennesseNuc,

also I think that the marlin bolt on the stainess guide might be of the same material that all the blued marlin bolts are to...so if there different metals could be less chance of galling at any rate lube aside ??

MGySgt · « **Reply #12 on:** December 14, 2004, 02:19:11 PM »

I have both a GG and an older 1895. Both are loud (same load), but the GG is MUCH louder, yes it is ported. I hunt Elk in NW CO, and I take the GG over the original 1895. It is handier, swings quicker and has more power then is really needed for Elk. I load 350gr Hornady FP (brought out for the 450 Marlin) and you hit an Elk with them with a max load and it does knock them off their feet. BTW both shoot that 350 at or under MOA! But they do kick!

Currently I am trying to work with cast 430GC. Can't get the accuracy I want yet, but I won't give up until I do!

Both bores are at 457+ with no speed bumps.

Any one that wants a big bore can not go wrong with the GG weither with factory or handloads. WW Supreme 300 part, shoots real good out of both but not as tight as my hand loads.

Harry Snippe · « **Reply #13 on:** December 16, 2004, 08:53:32 PM »

Quote from: MGySgt

I have both a GG and an older 1895. Both are loud (same load), but the GG is MUCH louder, yes it is ported. I hunt Elk in NW CO, and I take the GG over the original 1895. It is handier, swings quicker and has more power then is really needed for Elk. I load 350gr Hornady FP (brought out for the 450 Marlin) and you hit an Elk with them with a max load and it does knock them off their feet. BTW both shoot that 350 at or under MOA! But they do kick!

Currently I am trying to work with cast 430GC. Can't get the accuracy I want yet, but I won't give up until I do!

Both bores are at 457+ with no speed bumps.

Hey buddy

I started out with an older 1895 with a straight stock and a 22" inch barrel.
I bought it used and I guess it had been well used since I believe it required a new carrrier to function properly. Instead of trading up I should have over hauled that rifle .It would be nice to have a rifle that was close to the 458 bore that would print groups to around an inch.
If you find a good rifle hang on to it

Happy

Any one that wants a big bore can not go wrong with the GG weither with factory or handloads. WW Supreme 300 part, shoots real good out of both but not as tight as my hand loads.

CEJ1895 · « **Reply #14 on:** December 17, 2004, 02:47:22 AM »

slimman75 - I've got the ported Guide Gun and I wouldn't trade it in for anything! I hunted with my brother-in-law's 22" 1895 one year and it was a good rifle but when I went to buy one of my own and handled the Guide Gun I was in love! With a scout scope set up it's faster handling than my Ruger M77 Ultra light! Get one you won't be sorry! CEJ...

adirondacker · « **Reply #15 on:** December 19, 2004, 10:47:19 AM »

for heavy cover if you want a fast handleing rifle with plenty'o power that guide gun is going to be hard to beat.i have the 444 outfitter it is ported,the porting prob makes it louder but i does help with recoil.i shoot a 300 grn xtp at 1925 fps.had a scope on it at first but changed that to a scout style mounted adco aim point.ashley outdoors makes a mount that sits ahead of the receiver putting the scope way out away from your eyes.cabelas sells them and ashley outdoors has a web page.designed to use with low power scout scope or electronic red dot.makes for real fast target acquisition.you can shoot with both eyes open.my rifle is not the most accurate i own by any means but 2 1/2 to 3" groups at 100 yds are probably better than most people shoot anyway.good luck with it,shawn