Anyone use an 1895 SBL?

[jmc67]

I have an 1895 SBL on order, and was wondering whether anyone owns one of these and can give me any feedback on whats it's liek to live with please?

[Sim G]

So very nearly ordered one when they first came out. A Marlin lever gun and .45-70, what's not to want! However, produced by Remington. It's going to be a while before I look at one as Eemington have still got so far to govto bring Marlin back to where it was before they bought and moved it, for the worse.....

But, who and for how long has yours been on order for? I believe South Yorkshire Shooting Supplies has one in stock.

[jmc67]

I ordered mine through marlinrifles.co.uk. Interesting to hear that south yorkshire shooting has one in stock - might give them a call and see whether they still have it. Thanks.

[Sim G]

It's still advertised on Gunstar.....

http://www.gunstar.co.uk/Rifle/Marlin-S ... 75810.aspx

[jmc67]

Just checked with SYSS - currently out of stock, but expecting more very soon :-) Thanks for the tip.

[physeptone]

Just found this thread....
I have one, and absolutely love its look. Fun, fun, fun to shoot :)
Not really for sporting use (not many comps for 'em) but you can see why people would want to carry one in bear territory (Alaska etc) and good here for boar for example.

Word of warning .... sorry to spoil the party......

I was lucky enough to get an early, original Marlin made JM stamped 1895SBL.
The new Remington made (REP) stamped ones are sadly not the same quality...
I was unlucky enough to get my hands on a brand new one in Whittakers gunshop in Kentucky last October and it was awful, nastily made, tooling marks, poor quality, loading gate felt poorly fitted etc etc.
If you can find a good used one, look for "JM" stamped on the side of the barrel - if you find one you will be on to an absolute winner

If you cant, i would strongly recommend seeing before you buy- handle it, check metal work over, especially inside, check fit of wood to receiver, cycle the action, if you can, get some dummy rounds and try them cycling.

Hope this helps.

[jmc67]

Hmm, interesting reading, thank you. I'm still waiting on mine, and based on previous comments have moved my order to SYSS. Will see what Roger says when it comes in. I've made up some dummy rounds, so wil be trying those as well.

[jmc67]

Just had an update from Roger on this - my 45/70 is back from the proofing and about to be sent to my local RFD, yay. Looking forward to using this the next time I'm at Bisely.

Out of interest, has anyone tried using Hornady 45/70 Leverevolution rounds for target rather than hunting? I have had different responses from different people as to whether this would be allowed (presumably as they are soft point).

[Sim G]

Leverevolution are expanding ammunition. However, expanding ammunition such as semi jacketed soft points or others, designed to be used in lever action tubular magazines, are classed the same as hollow point match bullets. Para 3.16 of the 2002 Home Office guidance to police outlines this.

What they perform like, I don't have a clue, but supposedly are very good. But, I'd imagine would be very expensive....

[jmc67]

Interesting, thank you Sim G. I'm set up for loading my own as well, but I will talk to my FEO about this and see whether they are happy with that.