Marlin .45-70 "Guide" Gun?

Question

Hi, I'm looking at getting myself a .45-70. I've narrowed it down to the Marlin model 1895 and 1895G. The 1895 has a 22" barrel and the 1895G has a 18.5" barrel. Well my question is more centered around what is a "Guide Gun". The 1895G is a Guide gun, which I notice the shorter barrel, but what is the reasoning behind a shorter barrel and the name "Guide Gun". What are the differences between the two when you take into account ballistics, recoil, noise level etc? If someone could break me down the differences and the use/meaning of guide gun that would be great.

And then lastly, what would you suggest? I don't really have a singly purpose for the gun. Honestly, it probably see more occasional weekend target shooting then hunting.

I personally like the look of the Guide gun better (shorter), but I for one know not to buy a firearms just on looks.

All help appreciated, thanks!!!!!!

Answer 1

I think the guide gun is shorter so it can be easily carried. I have a pair of Marlin lever action 444's, which I love. That 444 shell is like 2 44 mag shells stacked together; and it is one good brushcutter. A guide generally needs a handy thunderstick in case the person he is guiding screws up; he is not carrying something to hunt with; more likely just to get some idiot out of trouble. That is why a 444 Marlin or a 45-70 is good; it can put anything down with one shot and is handy to carry and totally reliable.

Answer 2

I have owned three Marlin .45-70s in my lifetime. I won't rehash the story here because I've told it too many times on Yahoo answers. From experience, I would stick with the standard rifle with the 22 inch barrel. Whether you choose stainless, laminate stocks, etc. is up to you. For hunting whitetail deer, the Remington-loaded standard velocity cartridges will work just fine. Or use the Black Hills Cowboy Action ammunition. Both these loads employ a 405 grain bullet. It will do out to 150 yards. Marlin put a 1 in 20 inch twist in their rifling for their barrels in this caliber. It's a little too tight for 300 grain bullets I believe, because my experience was that the accuracy with these loads left a little to be desired. Find a load (maybe Hornady) that has at least a 350 grain bullet. If you intend to hunt something the size of elk, the 405 grain loads would work, but only out to about 100 yards. For everything else bigger, you would definitley need a heavier load than the 405 grain low-velocity. It's a heck of a cartridge. And actually my favorite. It was revived, so to speak, nearly 40 years ago, because shooters and hunters knew it had great potential.

Answer 3

The guide gun's handier, and since the 45-70 isn't something you're getting for long-range shooting, anyway, the shorter barrel and slightly lower velocity isn't a real consideration. If you're a fanatic about small groups on paper, the longer sight plane of the 22" barrel will make a little difference, but the thing is primarily a hunting weapon, and if the G doesn't feel too "whippy" for you, it'll probably be more fun to carry in the woods.

Answer 4

Expect recoil - and a lot of it. I had a Marlin 45-70 and it was fun to shoot, but they don't weigh much so it will rock you a little. If I'm remembering right, the bullets weighing in around 300 grains didn't hurt too much, but the 500 grain bullets would definitely put the hurt on your shoulder. The buttstock of those rifles isn't very thick, so a heavy load will bite in. Others on here have already answered the 'guide' question, so I say pick whatever feels right to you.

Answer 5

A guide gun is meant for fast handling in case of dangerous game. 45-70 is suitable for North American dangerous game, although I'd consider it marginal for grizzly or brown bear. Recoil with be slightly more, noise will be slightly more and ballistics will show a slightly slower speed and a slightly faster drop but 45-70 is a relatively short range ( 200-250 yds. or so) round anyway because of its fast drop.