Author Topic: 1895CB How carryable and practical is the 26" bbl vs. 1 (Read 1220 times)

STW · « **on:** December 30, 2004, 02:51:13 PM »

Since you all gave me advice against getting the beater 94 in 30-30 I asked about the other day, I'm back to my original plan of saving up for a 45-70.

I had been planning on an 1886 but it looks a long way off-- $799 last year at Sportsmans' wharehouse, and $899 at my dealer. $8-900 when I see them (or Brownings' version) at gunshows.

But then I saw an 1895CB at the dealer the other day. Great feeling rifle with nice carry balance despite the long barrell--I loved the slim forend wood and cap compared to the guide gun and 336. And I loved the full length mag compared to the 1886. Great price at $529 (what do you all see them for?).

But I've been having second thoughts about the 26" barrel length. Whatever 45-70 I get will likely become my camp gun/ truck gun/ woods hunting gun/ woods SD gun. I'm thinking the 26" barrell is going to get tiresome for those purposes, and I drive a short wheelbase Jeep so long guns are a hassle to stow. Those of you out there carrying extra long leverguns aroung in the woods--how are they? Or do those pretty octo bbls stay in the safe? :wink:

On the other hand, I like the idea of 26" bbl for getting the 45-70 up to full speed. How much difference would there be between the 18"/22"/26" lengths in 45-70? I prefer a straight stock so the reg. 1895 is out, so I guess my choices are down to the 44.5" long 1895CB and the 37" guide gun. What would I lose in ballistics by dropping 8", 30% or so, in bbl length? Is there enough diff. that there are long shots that would be feasible with a 26" and not an 18"?

snowdog · « **Reply #1 on:** January 01, 2005, 08:52:41 AM »

I carried my 1895 CB around the woods this past season...
It is a bit more cumbersome than my ol win 30/30. but
the longer barrel shots significantly better than the 20 inch
barrel of my model 94. I carried the 30/30 on the first day
of the late season, the next 2 days I carried the CB. scored
on the 3rd day at 102 yards. I shoot 405 grn hard cast
and consistantly can hit 2 inch groups. with the 26 inch barrel.

John Y Cannuck · « **Reply #2 on:** January 01, 2005, 10:51:37 AM »

If you carry it all the time, you get used to it. I have an 1886 with a 28" full octagon heavy custom barrel . It can put your hand to sleep if you lay it on your hand across your knees. But I still carry it for miles. I've just got used to it. Having ten rounds of 45-70 in the tube means I don't bother with extra amo. :-D

Uncle Ji · « **Reply #3 on:** January 01, 2005, 11:04:08 PM »

If yer intent on carryin a 45/70 rifle then the Marlin CB @ 26" is acceptable especially if you ever decide on shootin hot loads from Garrett or Corbin using them on dangerous scary stuff. The extra weight of the octogon 26" barrel will come as a blessing when you squeeze the trigger. I personally have been fer the last 29 years been luggin around a 1894 Marlin 20" barrel in 44 mag with absolutely no regrets. As others have stated the few extra pounds of the 26" octogon you will git used ta. If ya love yer 1895 Marlin CB, go fer it, and don't look back. If in da future some crybaby whines about your 45/70 being 2 lbs. heavier then his Ultralight Arms .243 just smile (and fight the urge to call him a girly man) knowing yer following the footstaps of your manly fore fathers. My next levergun will be a Marlin 1895CB 45/70 god & wife-in-stein willing...

mogwai · « **Reply #4 on:** January 02, 2005, 06:10:53 AM »

My current favorite is a Win 71 with a 24" barrel. It handles quite well in close cover. And for a different perspective, a 26" barrel on my Rem 870 makes it a quick handling grouse gun.

Go for it!

STW · « **Reply #5 on:** January 02, 2005, 06:15:27 PM »

Thanks for the replies. Sounds like I shouldn't be wary of the longer barrel resulting in me not carrying the gun in the woods. The 1895CB was surprisingly balanced and easy to heft in the shop, and Marlin's web site lists its weight as 8 lbs. so it's not a heavy rifle by most any standard. For comparison, I just weighed a mod94 20" 30-30 and it's 6 lbs 6 oz.

Assuming the 44" OAL rifle is handy enough to carry, the extra weight will put that 45-70 blast out further away from me, and I keep hearing of folks who've sold off guide guns because of noise and flash with the ported short bbl. Hate to admit it if this is another girly man issue :eek: :-) , but I'm adverse to sharp blast--for example in handguns I love to shoot .45 acp and hate .357 mag. Here's hoping 45-70 is more like the big shove in the shoulder I get from .45 acp rather than the sharp hard wack with a baseball bat I get with .357 mag. :shock:

snowdog · « **Reply #6 on:** January 03, 2005, 06:32:47 AM »

thats about the recoil, with my loads, not that irritating KICK from
a 7mm. But more like a "push". It does start getting a bit rough
for me when I used the 400 grn speer over 51 grns of IMR 3031.

I pretty much sold on hard cast now in 405 grn over 38 to 40 grns
of IMR 3031. very mild. the FPS is right around 1400 FPS (according
to my lyman manual) This is without gas checks. fired around 50
or so of these cast boolits....No leading problems so far..........

gallatin · « **Reply #7 on:** January 03, 2005, 06:46:24 PM »

It took about one hour of carring my 26"barreled c.b. around in the woods this last season to give me the impression that this is going to be my go-to gun for many years to come. I like it that much. Put a limbsaver on it and even those stout loads are now fun.
Recoil is a push not a whack, I actually like rolling with the shot, not unpleasent at all.
John

hicard · « **Reply #8 on:** January 22, 2005, 04:15:08 AM »

You have a tough decision to make. I have both the guide gun and CB and think the CB is just too pretty to take out hunting. I love my 1895GS for hunting. It is accurate and easy to sling while walking under low tree branches. If I were looking for a truck, walkabout gun I would choose the GS.

darrell8937 · « **Reply #9 on:** May 10, 2005, 01:55:48 AM »

There is always the 1895 Limited with a 24" inch barrell. these feel sweet in the hand. I did not have the cash for it . I see the all the time on Auction arms..

tanoose · « **Reply #10 on:** May 10, 2005, 10:53:59 AM »

STW that price is a good one for my area the lowest i could find was walmarts updated price of $543.37

gregg454 · « **Reply #11 on:** May 18, 2005, 07:28:00 PM »

Have the 1895 CB and the 84 CJ-8 . Love the CB. Going to get the
GG one of these first years also in SS for a travel gun. retiring in
3 years at 55yr old. Have just found and bought a 629 Mt Gun S&W
NIB from 1997 or there abouts. I feel the GG and the Mt Gun will
make good tools for Bear country . Now the CB. I bought one before
they quit making them. I like the looks and they carry nice. I would
carry the exrta rounds in the belt than the tube. But thats me. Jeep well
buy a thick nice case with a full lenth zipper. Put the case between
shift lever and the transfercase shift lever and between seats. From the
fire wall to the bulkhead with gun on its top edge wise should be enought room for the cowboy. You can full lenth unzip the case and still have the gun protected and able to grab it in a hurry.