My experiences with two 1895s and three 336s. All new purchases since the guide guns were introduced in the late 90s. Used only factory ammo. I have alot of experiences with all the major manufactures of new arms and factory cartridges. My first was the 45-70 guide gun (18" or so tube with ports). Tried Rem, Win & Fed 300gr hps, several boxes each. The Rem had a most briliant flash thru the ports sideways compared to the other 2 brands. The standard 300gr Win (not Partition) I had problems pulling the trigger and dropping the hammer, tried the 3 brands and confirmed there was a problem (could not drop the hammer with a good grip on the lever and exertion on the trigger. 30% prob with the Win 300 grainers only(tried 3 boxes). My current 1895 22" 45-70 is scoped and am happy using only 405gr sp Rem factory ammo (less recoil). 2 1/2 years ago purchased 2 336s. One 30-30 the other 35 Rem. No issues with the 30-30, functioned slick. The 35 Rem had issues with the next cartridge begining to get stuck under the loading gate, also the lever had to be very tightly and consciously squezed or it would have a springing effect like opening up (maybe because of the loading gate issue) all the same time having a very hard trigger figure 20lbs (maybe because of the lever springing issue). I made sure there was not a cartridge stuck under the loading gate durring the circumstances noted and checked all screws for tightness. Both of these 336s were scoped. Accuracy with them at 1st seemed very good. Later with more time and ammo at the range accuracy seemed to be less or poor compared to other rifle types (maybe 5" groups). I have since sold the guide gun and the 2 336s. I feel the 300gr 45-70 factory ammo has sort of a higher level of recoil for what you get. Two months ago I picked up a new 35Rem 336 at cabelas. Wanted to try again, this one functions different than my first. After loading 5 or 6 factory Rem 200 grainers into the mag tube and swiftly opening the lever to jack a round into the chamber I get a train wreck of cartriges under the shell lifting arm. The lever is pretty much stuck wide open, cannot move. So unscrewing the lever screw, taking off the lever and pulling the bolt is required. The shells are stuck with the tip under the next shell base and the base of the most rearward shell is angled up and tight with the ejector and reciever. A medium sized blade screwdriver is handy in poking at the cartridges thru the back hole of the reciever and ejection port. Taking out the ejector and putting it away I suggest. Cartridges are difficult to release, sometimes one at a time and shooting backwards about 3 feet. Other times 3 or 4 will come out backwards at once after poking at them, cascading, hoo ray. I am happy with my 22" 1895, no problems with the loading gate, lever, function. I always check tightness of all screws etc. and operate the lever consciously for good function.
