Guide Gun Vs. Cowboy

[savagefan]

Thanx to the help I've received from you great folks here, my next gun purchase will be a Marlin in 45/70. I would like to hear from you that have owned both in this caliber if one has an advantage over the other. Hunting in open timber, irons for now, maybe a scope later. I prefer the look of the Cowboy but this gun has to work well. Fire away please.

[RKrodle]

I have owned both the CowBoy and the Guide Gun. The CB does have the better looks, and the one I had shot very well. I really liked the slim wood. The GG is not as sexy but it shoots just as well and is the one I kept. The GG is quicker to shoulder and get on target for fast shots and it just handles better for me. I sold the CB and kept the GG.

[AJMD429]

I have one of each, but haven't shot either enough to comment. Both were used guns, but both function reliably with factory ammunition, and both seem plenty accurate. Once I get some handloads made, I plan to see how accurate the CB is with a scope, and the Guide wears 'ghost' ring Williams sights. I do know both will consistently hit a 6" gong at 100 yards, but that isn't necessarily an 'accuracy' test.

Generally, I'd want the shorter gun if I wanted 'handiness' and the longer gun if I wanted pretty looks and less noise/recoil, and maybe (I don't know about this part yet) more accuracy.

I suppose if you wanted to be down to basics about it, you can always shorten a CB barrel if you want to , and all you'd have to do is shorten and re-anchor the magazine tube to have your CB turned into a 'Guide' gun. Harder to lengthen a Guide gun into a CB...

[TedH]

I've never owned a CB, but I have handled and shot one. I do have a Guide Gun and must say I do prefer the latter for a hunting gun. In fact, if I could only keep one rifle it would be the Guide Gun. It's the ultimate in portability and power. I do like the Cowboys too, but they seem to be more of a specialty gun. Maybe I just prefer shorter barrels.

[jdad]

Target and Silhouette - Cowboy

Hunting and Utility - Guide

[Noah Zark]

I own an 1895CB, a blued 1895 Guide Gun (unported), and one of the new 16" stainless 1895 SDT carbines from Davidsons.

I guess I run contrary to the other views; the 1895CB with its slim furniture and excellent balance handles MUCH better for me than the more "clubby" GG or SDT with their bulked-up "plus size" forends. The long 1895CB "cradles" in my arms very nicely and I found that I can carry it all day. I don't think the longer, slimmer 1895CB comes to the shoulder any slower, and I do think the extra mass out front and extended moment of inertia helps to stabilize the CB better than the GG.

JMO,

Noah

[Blaine]

I have a 1895GS set up as a Scout, with Ghost Ring back up and a 1895 Cowboy set up with a fitted Simms and a Marbles Tanger and a Happy Trigger from WWG........I won't be selling either of them anytime soon I hunt with the stainless GS because where I live it's usually real wet during hunting season. If you forced me to pick one, I'd have to keep the CB.

[Old Savage]

I have shot both and I think you have to handle each and see which you like the best. Both are good shooters but I don't own either as I like the Standard 22" the best.

[Doc Hudson]

I haven't had a Cowboy, yet, but I had a Guide Gun.

It was mighty light and handy to carry, but in honesty I must admit that I was shooting some handloads that would kill on one end and danged near cripple on the other. Even with the ports, that 6.75 pound rifle was a thumper on the shooting end.

Even so, I'd love to get another and one day maybe I will.

[.45colt]

Just a few weeks ago I asked nearly the same question here. I decided on a standard Marlin 1895 with a 22" barrel.it's neither fish nor fowl (too short or long). Won it on gunbroker and it should be here in a few days.

[HATCHETTJACK]

im very satisfied with my marlin xlr in 45-70

[AJMD429]

im very satisfied with my marlin xlr in 45-70

What buttstock cartridge carrier is that, and does it hold the cartridges tight enough to not fall out with rough handling of the gun?

[Warhawk]

See if you can find an LTD III. The best of both worlds, it's like a Cowboy with an 18 inch barrel.

[Whit Spurzon]

The Marlin 1895 LTD III = The best of both worlds.



I've hunted a lot with the 1895GS. GREAT hunting rifle, very accurate, not finicky about ammo and easy to shoot and transport.

The Marlin 1895 Cowboy is a beautiful rifle. I love mine for everything but running through the brush chasing Elk. As mentioned earlier it really hangs on the target when shooting offhand. Typically gets another 75-150 fps than the GG at levergun pressure levels in the loads I've tested. The long sight radius is nice for older eyes too.

I picked up an LTD III last year - it has the beauty of the cowboy and the handiness of the Guide Gun. I've not hunted with it yet. Of the five 1895's I've owned this one is the most picky about ammo. I likes bullets sized .460" or bigger. .459" doubles the group size and .457" sized bullets will most likely miss the paper at 50 yards. It is the least fun to shoot off the bench - being light weight and without a recoil pad.

A friend of a friend has one and has hinted at selling it. I inquired and he wanted a ransom for it. If I didn't already have one I would have bought it - still might but have to sell something else to get it. If you're interested, email or PM me and I'll see if he still has it.

[jeepnik]

I like the GS myself.



Gotta love tree pictures. Show a levergun in it's natural habitat.

[savagefan]

Sure is a beauty Whit Spurs on.

[86er]

If you are going to use standard factory ammo you will get 125 - 200 fps more velocity out of the Cowboy. That velocity may give you a slight trajectory advantage if you will shoot out to 200 yds ( or a bit more ). It will also provide a wee bit more energy that might count if you are shooting big tough stuff like elk. If you are going to shoot Grizzly or Garrett type factory ammo, it is designed for performance from the 18.5" barrel and will not do much better with a longer barrel. With that in mind, you'd want a good recoil pad on the guide gun because the recoil will be significantly more than the Cowboy model. The LTD models are a decent compromise of shorter length while maintaining a lot of the weight. The new SBL is another great idea with a full length mag tube, stainless with laminate stock - more weight with handy features - like the medium loop lever. This model and all the guide guns with round barrel can easily accomodate a scout scope set-up or a receiver top mounted scope. The octagon barrel models will accept the receiver top mounted scope but to use a scout scope set-up will require some tinkering. Frankly, I had a Guide Gun, a standard 1895 and a Cowboy and I parted with them all for the Winchester 1886EL (22" bbl) - but that is irrelevant to your question. Given the choices of Marlin I would favor the new SBL or the guide gun for general hunting use, and for big critters I'd use Grizzly ammo or something like it.

[salvo]

I like my 45-70's short and handy

[Streetstar]

The Marlin 1895 LTD III = The best of both worlds.



it.

That looks nice !! another part of my brain likes Jeepniks GS model too ! If i had known that LTD 3 even existed, i would have searched for one of those over the guide i have now though, i love its capability, but i like the slim feel of my Winchester better

[CEMENTHEAD]

Guide Gun without a doubt. I still may pick up a Cowboy though, just for back up.
Here's a couple pics of mine........






Thanks, Tom

[Jaguarundi]

I like my SS Guide gun but I luv my XLR

[Jaguarundi]

The GS is great as a brushgun.The XLR is for reach'n out.

[HATCHETTJACK]

im very satisfied with my marlin xlr in 45-70

What buttstock cartridge carrier is that, and does it hold the cartridges tight enough to not fall out with rough handling of the gun?

its made by beartooth products, and i got it at cabelas... cartridges fit nice and tight and it has a neoprene inner layer that keeps em from slipping

[adirondakjack]

Ya mean this is an "either/or" deal? What fun is that?

I haven't got a .45/70, but if I was into them, I'd probably have to do what I did with 1894s. I bought two CB-Ls, both the earlier varient with the nicer wood and 24" barrel, and cut one of em to 16". A "short CB" is perhaps the neatest short rifle, IMHO. Ya get the octagon bbl, the slim forearm, and the short length.

[AndyM]

My Guide gun with the XS peep sights is a true hunting gun, at least for my type of hunting. I do some driving and some stalking and roaming around the mountains.

If you were taking a stand - I would go with the cowboy - if you are doing any type of roaming, the guide is the way to go.

Although, an early model 1895 with the straight grip and 22" barrel could be a good compromise. I think the cowboy gets heavy after an all day walk about