Thinking about a Marlin 1895 cowboy. What are you thoughts?

Monte · Post by **Monte** » Thu May 01, 2008 8:52 am

Thinking about getting a 1895cb. I have a 1894cb in 45 colt and love it. Why am I thinking about one? Just because I love the 1894 and the longer barrel and the 45-70 case look good. Please give me your opinions. Do they shoot well, can they be loaded down for target shooting, do they recoil like a mule and are they worth the money?
Thanks

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Thu May 01, 2008 8:59 am

Monte,

I handled and examined one several years ago and fell in love with it. I didn't have the funds to make it mine though. Maybe someday.

Joe

O.S.O.K. · Post by **O.S.O.K.** » Thu May 01, 2008 9:21 am

I have one (and a 94 CB in 45 Colt too) - well one close to a cowboy - it's a pre-cowboy model that Davidson's commissioned with a 24", half round, half octagonal barrel. I really like it.

Anyway, yes, there are all kinds of loads for black powder equivalent velocities, yes they thump a bit - but not bad with bp equivalent/cowboy loads - especially shooting off-hand. They can be loaded up to beat the band (400 grain bullet at 2000+ fps) and those load do kick - let me tell you.

They are accurate with good loads and balance well.

If you like your 94CB and feel its "worth the money", then you will like the 95CB - go for it!

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Thu May 01, 2008 9:21 am

I got a used one and really like it. Doesn't look as 'stout' as the stainless guide gun I wanted to get, but was more affordable, and really is made the same. Plus it holds 9 rounds...

It balances well and is really light due to the big hole in the barrel...!

Smooth feeder so far (factory loads only so far).

I'd still like a SS guide gun someday...(all guns need 'friends' next to them in the safe, you know).

meanc · Post by **meanc** » Thu May 01, 2008 9:28 am

Please give me your opinions. Do they shoot well, can they be loaded down for target shooting, do they recoil like a mule and are they worth the money?
Thanks

I picked up an "1895 LTD V" a couple of weeks ago. It has the 24" half octagon / half round bbl, full length mag, and pistol grip.

I haven't shot it yet, but intend to do so this weekend with some Hornady 325gr Leverevolution. Then I'll put some reloads together and see how those go.

I'll let you know what the results are.

As far as "are they worth it", I picked up mine like new and unfired for $400 and didn't waste a second throwing down the money.

The looks of the 1895CB are very nice. I have the 1894CB with checkered stocks in 45colt also and love it to death. So if you really like the 1894CB 45colt, I couldn't see you not liking the 1895CB.

Quick Karl · Post by **Quick Karl** » Thu May 01, 2008 9:28 am

I love mine. Beautiful lines, though I think the forend could be a might trimmer; I was lucky to get some pretty good looking wood. The 26" octagon barrel is a beautiful thing, and I have a William's Foolproof Target peep sight on mine to help with fading eyesight. It is the favorite of all the guns I own, and the most fun to shoot..

Post by **Chuck 100 yd** » Thu May 01, 2008 9:36 am

One of my favorite rifles. I also have 1894 Cowboys in .357,.44mag.,
,45 Colt all with 24" barrels. BUT the 1895 CB is special due to its capabilities with the .45-70 round and that 26" barrel.

Post by **Old Savage** » Thu May 01, 2008 9:52 am

I like them but my friends CB is not nearly as accurate as my standard 1895SS for whatever reason. I have had two of those and both have been quite accurate.

Dewight · Post by **Dewight** » Thu May 01, 2008 1:26 pm

I have two, one 38-55 and the other is a 45-70. Love them both. Because I'm not a big fan of recoil and like to shoot alot, I put LimbSaver recoil pads on both of them. I often shoot 100 rds. in a day and don't end up with a buised shoulder. The 45-70 can be loaded to wide range of intensities, from kitty cat mild to romp'em-stomp'em thunder. Accurated loads can be be had at all levels.

I like the lines, weight and balance of the Marlin better than the Winchester 1886.

Irascible · Post by **Irascible** » Thu May 01, 2008 2:43 pm

I have one of the 1895 Cowboys - great gun and accurate with cast. I shortened the barrel to 24" and installed a Pachmyr decelerator "sporting Clays" pad for a quick, unsnagged trip to my shoulder. I mounted a Williams receiver sight and a fiber optic front bead. It is light and a full load will hurt. I tried mine on a good size Blackbear and it worked fine. I used a 350gr OW truncated mould, #2 Alloy and a reasonable load of 4198 for 1800 fps.

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Thu May 01, 2008 3:10 pm

Don't take this the wrong way, but my first thought when I read your topic title was, "Why? There's a perfectly good .45-70 in the form of a Browning/Winchester 1886!" But, that might simply stem from the fact that I'm an uinrepentent Winchester fan!

Post by **Old Savage** » Thu May 01, 2008 3:23 pm

Ah, Griff, now don't you open a can of worms?

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Thu May 01, 2008 3:37 pm

Got to, if ya wanna go fishin'!

Pete44ru · Post by **Pete44ru** » Thu May 01, 2008 4:42 pm

[What are you thoughts?]

I'm thinking, you're gonna drive yourself crazy - until you git one !

awp101 · Post by **awp101** » Thu May 01, 2008 5:06 pm

Griff wrote:Don't take this the wrong way, but my first thought when I read your topic title was, "Why? There's a perfectly good .45-70 in the form of a Browning/Winchester 1886!" But, that might simply stem from the fact that I'm an uinrepentent Winchester fan!

Old Savage wrote:Ah, Griff, now don't you open a can of worms?

gary rice · Post by **gary rice** » Thu May 01, 2008 5:24 pm

i bought the 95 cb last year and i love it. shoots better than alot of 22 rifles for accuracy.

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Fri May 02, 2008 6:16 am

I must have posted my answer on another thread

.

Anyway, I really like mine, even though I bought a used CB when I really wanted a stainless Guide Gun, but couldn't afford one.

Action is smooth, cycles factory ammo flawlessly. 2" groups with a good scope and factory ammunition. Lightweight barrel (because the hole is so durn big!) despite the length.

You'll like it.

AndyM · Post by **AndyM** » Fri May 02, 2008 6:22 am

I handled one and spent some time shooting one - I will someday have a longer barrel 45-70 to go with my guide gun and Pedersoli Sharps. Although the Marlin is nice - I think I am with Griff on this one and will be getting a 1886 model.

You can't go wrong with the Marlin - they are fine shootin' irons...

Last Spike · Post by **Last Spike** » Fri May 02, 2008 7:06 am

The 1895 CB is a good gun - I made mine better by slicking up the action, adding a Pachmayr recoil pad, and added a big loop lever to it. Now I'm good for everything from mild to heavy loads.