Custom Marlin 1895 45/70 Cowboy with an 18 inch barrel?

[Lastmohecken]

A brand new, unfired Marlin Cowboy 45/70 showed up at local gunshop. Price $650.00

Except it's not stock, the owner had the barrel shortened to 18 inches. He is now selling it, because he did not get what he wanted. The work seems to be flawless, but his instructions to the gunsmith was to make the mag tube, even with the end of the barrel, and it turned out that the tube got cut to the exact same length as the original 26 inch barrel, but he wanted it to be flush with the barrel like many Winchesters are.

That's it!, I am tempted to buy it, but with all of the levers I own, I just can't hardly justify it, but it would make a neat Guide type gun. About all it needs is a nice recoil pad, receiver sight, and a filler for the crossbolt safety.

Has anyone here taken a Cowboy and shortened it like this?

I have heard that the long Cowboys will not hold up to heavy loads, which I suspect pertains to maybe the mag tube comming apart, due to recoil. If that was the case, I would think that the shorter tube would hold up better. Or was there some other reason based on what I have read on the internet that the Cowboys should not be shot with real heavy loads?

[1886]

If one was to shoot heavy recoiling loads with the mag. tube fully loaded on a regular basis through the factory .45-70 CB, the mag. tube assembly would certainly be the weak link. It would almost certainly come apart. Shortening the mag. tube would help. Less rounds in the tube equals less weight working against the assembly. If I understand your post correctly, the mag. tube is longer than the barrel? I must not be reading/understanding your post correctly. If the mag. tube IS longer than the barrel that would certainly be awkward. Anyway, was any additional work done? Trigger work, action tuning, etc? If so it might be worth picking up, just shorten that tube! Please advise. 1886.

[AJMD429]

I have heard that the long Cowboys will not hold up to heavy loads, which I suspect pertains to maybe the mag tube comming apart, due to recoil. If that was the case, I would think that the shorter tube would hold up better. Or was there some other reason based on what I have read on the internet that the Cowboys should not be shot with real heavy loads?

I'll watch this thread eagerly to see the answer from our seasoned experts.

I've looked at my Marlin Cowboy and Marlin Guide Gun Stainless, and somehow the latter just LOOKS stronger, and by a large margin. I know that is silly, as the same receivers, etc., and I don't think stainless is stronger than blue (but I'm definitely no metallurgist!). Still, the barrel diameter of the Guide Gun is much larger at the breech ahead of the receiver, and the octagonal ones just LOOK like they could peel apart like a banana.

If there is a strength difference, I suppose you could always rebarrel, if THAT is the only part that is different...

[Lastmohecken]

If one was to shoot heavy recoiling loads with the mag. tube fully loaded on a regular basis through the factory .45-70 CB, the mag. tube assembly would certainly be the weak link. It would almost certainly come apart. Shortening the mag. tube would help. Less rounds in the tube equals less weight working against the assembly. If I understand your post correctly, the mag. tube is longer than the barrel? I must not be reading/understanding your post correctly. If the mag. tube IS longer than the barrel that would certainly be awkward. Anyway, was any additional work done? Trigger work, action tuning, etc? If so it might be worth picking up, just shorten that tube! Please advise. 1886.

NO, I didn't make myself clear on the mag tube. The mag tube is slightly shorter then the new shorter length of the barrel. In other words it's slightly shorter by about 1/2 inch or whatever, then the end of the barrel.

The gun looks just like the original 26 inch barreled model, just 8 inches shorter. It really looks pretty neat.

I don't know if it has had any trigger work, or action work. I don't think so, but it does seem to have a better then average trigger, and a slick action, better then average for the tipical out of the box marlin.

[Warhawk]

Marlin made an 1895 LTDIII that is very similar, having a 18.5 inch octagon barrel. I have one and it's my favorite .45/70.

[CEMENTHEAD]

Buy it now! You'll never regret it. Shoot it and if it's not your cup o' tea, sell it for what you bought it for.

[2ndovc]

Marlin made an 1895 LTDIII that is very similar, having a 18.5 inch octagon barrel. I have one and it's my favorite .45/70.

I love my LTDIII too.
Here's a photo of it and the hide fromthe fallow deer I took with it last year.


I shoot the snot out of this thing. From light target to bear killin' loads with out a problem and extremly accurate.


jb

[Borregos]

It looks like a pretty good buy to me, I would go for it

[Pete44ru]

You kin always shorten the barrel another 1/2".........

.

[foxtrapper]

I had Dave Clements do his "Basic" Marlin upgrade to my Marlin CB. Shoots and feeds flawlessly . http://www.clementscustomguns.com/rifleservices.html

[Lastmohecken]

Those LTD's look pretty much just like this Cowboy that has been cut down. I own an LTD .22 but I never knew they made an LTD 45/70.

One think I did notice on this gun is the barrel does not have any type of recessed crown, it's cut straight accross and has not been counterbored in any form or fashion. I believe some of the old Winchesters were not counterbored at all either. I guess it could always be counterbored later if needed.