I posted this on another website, then realized this might be a better place to ask.

I just ordered a new, blued, unported Marlin Guide Gun (1895G) in 45-70. I've read that this gun was designed originally for Alaskan guides who needed a powerful yet easy to transport and access rifle. Do a number of guides in Alaska actually carry the guide gun when they're out in the bush with (or without) clients, or is it all PR hype? Thanks, Dennis

I'm sure there are several guides that carry them, likely fishing guides who frequent streams and need a compact and portable backup. I've hunted Alaska four times but none of my guides used them nor did any of the other guides employed by the outfitters.

I agree mostly non hunting guides as they are already dealing with making room for some large and strange hunting rifles throwing thier own into the mix is not to hard.

DennisE - fishing guides tend to prefer a reliable 12 gauge pump shotgun, with a bolt action 375 as a second choice - hunting guides heavily favor a bolt action in 338,375, 416 over the Marlin guide gun - the lever gun is getting more attention, especially with the price of the marlin so low and decent ammo readily available.

There are at least a few who do as a backup gun. I believe the very compact rem. 600/660 in .350 rem. mag is considered too.

Dennis,

The market of Alaskan guides is far too small for Marlin to produce such a firearm just for them. The market of guys who want a gun like something an Alaskan guide might carry is FAR larger, and it's far more likely that Marlin designed the gun for them.

George

I was in Alaska on a hunt 2 and 3 years ago. Most of the guides had either a 375H&H or a 338Win Mag. One guide had a Marlin 45-70, he used 350gr. handloads a buddy loaded for him. When the Game Warden came to one camp, he flew in on a float plane, and unloaded his boat, he had a Rem 660 in 350RM.

Most guides up here use from the .300WM to the .458. But I have heard of at least one guide who uses a lever action.

The thing about firearms companies is that they add the names "Guide," Alaskan, etc. to their guns. But these guns are not necessarily "guide" nor Alaskan guns, they just sound appealing to buyers.

We already have guns that are specifically built for Alaska, and others that are redesigned for bush pilots. For example, "The Copilot" is a lever gun one can buy in .450 Alaskan and other calibers. This gun can be easily taken apart and stored in its storage case. It is coated (or plated) to resist rust and other problems associate with Alaska weather. I believe the Web site where one can see "The Copilot" is: www.wildwestguns.com

So the Guide Gun is a wannabe deal?

I am shocked.

I used one back when I was a guide in Kodiak. I guided myself hunting and fishing over much of the island that did not require a fly-out. I didn't give a rats butt what name Marlin gave the gun (misnomer or not). Simply put, Marlin was marketing the gun. Looks like it worked too. It's like some of the new short magnum cartridges. How well do you think they would have sold without the "magnum" moniker? There is not a gun better suited for most of what I did with it. The gun is fairly light, short, fast handling, surprisingly accurate and powerful with good handloads. I could put it in my handlebar rack on my ATV and it didn't extend much beyond the end of the handlebars. I could sling it across my back when fishing and it wasn't in the way at all. It was comfortable to carry in the mountains. Its compact size was ideal for weaving through the alder hells. Topped with a cheap Simmons 2.5x shotgun scope with gobbs of eye relief, the gun was fast swinging, quick pointing and quick recovering after the first shot. I shoot it well with both eyes open.

I never killed a brownie with it. I was close enough to smell one and hear one, but never saw him. My heart was racing, but when I glanced down at the rifle in my hand it had a calming effect and inspired confidence. A B&C bear was taken in that exact spot less than a week later. I like to believe it was the same one I was after.

Paul Barnard