I am planning to purchase a Marlin lever gun in 45/70, and use Garrett loads in it for a close range thumper. My local gun shop has the Guide gun with an 18" barrel, and straight stock, or a 22" barrel, with a pistol grip stock. I would prefer the 22" barrel to maximize performance, but prefer the looks of the straight stock. So my question is, will there be any noticeable difference in handling; ie, felt recoil, or anything else, from the straight stock to the pistol grip? (Im thinking of putting a straight stock on the 22" version)

I have a Marlin .444 and a Winchester 88 with pistol grip and wish they had a straight stock and have used Browning BLR and Savage 99 with both styles of stock and in conclusion I would prefer a straight stock on any lever rifle.

Steve

My choice is a Pistol grip ! why I can pull the rifle to my shoulder better ,and have better controp to shoot from any position , I'm a cowbow shooter ,Target ,and hunter , pistol grip for me is the best for quick and accurate fast shooting , I have both types ! the straight stocks for me just don't compare to the grip I have with pistol grip type of stocks , I'm 5'8" and weight 190 . Lop is 13.625" 5/8"

bushman
I owned a 22" pistol grip Marlin for a while. My brother owns a Guide Gun. I have shot Garretts Hammerheads, and other plus P loads in both of them. My brothers rifle had the ports in the bbl and kicks less than my rifle does.
My nephew got my Marlin, but if I was going to replace it I would go with the Guide Gun as I like the shorter rifle for what I would use a 45/70 lever for.
Bottom line is, get the rifle that feels the beas to you. They are both good.

I own 4 Marlins, 1 pistol grip and 3 with straight stock. My take is that the pistol grip gun balances better and is quicker to cycle. The ones with the straight stock dissipate recoil much better because the "jar" moves in a straight line back into my shoulder. The heavy kickers I own (45/70, 50 alaskan) are straight stock. The light kicker (35 Remington) is pistol grip. Incendently- my early 1895 has both the straight stock and the 22" barrel. If you look a bit, you can probably find one.

I have the 45/70 guide gun with the straight stock and I hate it. With stoked up hand loads it always pushes the lever into my knuckles, I think if I had the pistol grip stock it would not hurt as much. I guess my choices are getting a new pistol grip with matching lever or going with a large wrangler loop...

45/70multitask
When you shoot you 45/70 grip it HARD with both hands. That should eleminate your problem.
You just cannot hold a hard kicker like a 22.
Pull it into your shoulder HARD. Grip it HARD.
Put your face on the stock HARD.

With maximum loads either rifle is likely to be uncomfortable to shoot. I don't think you lose enough with the shorter barrel to make any difference on game.

If maximum barrel length is a priority and you fancy the straight stock don't forget that Marlin offers a 26 inch 1895 Cowboy.

Thanks for the advice guys!

I have a 1977 vintage Marlin 1895 with a 22" barrel and the straight grip, squared lever. It is a great woods rifle and I've never felt the barrel should be shorter diving into a thicket. I can't really say there is any difference in the grip, I just shoot it as is and really don't worry about it.

There are a couple of ways you can go. Buy the Marlin 1895G and send it in to Marlin to have the barrel replaced with a 22" barrel for about $140, or get the Marlin 1895 and have to look around for a buttstock, lever and trigger guard plate.

dear N E 450 NO 2 I do grip the gun HARD however my fat hands just barely fit in the lever making my second finger a flesh stop for a majority of the recoil being that the grip is straight it comes straight back where a pistol grip would come back and hit all my knuckles at once. BY the way my loads are 58gr ramshot xterminator cci 250 mag primer starline brass and a 405gr cast lead bullet 2065fps 48000 psi and a whole lot of thump at both ends...

Buy an 1895CB and have the barrel bobbed to 22". It has a more slender forearm and looks better with the octagon barrel.