Has anyone handled or fired the Marlin 1895 Cowboy in 45-70 with the 26" octagon barrel?
I am thinking that I would like one for bear huntin over bait, and for fun shooting. Was thinking that the extra barrel might soak up a little of the extra recoil, and looks real good to boot.

I've had mine for about 2 years and I love it. I shoot 405 LBT around 1900+fps. It is pretty stout with that load. Took a 6x6 last year with one shot through the neck. Elk stood up on hind legs and fell over on its back. Should be plenty for any bear.

My father has one; I love it. Maybe "covet" is the word. Amazing, but even with that long-ass tube, it balances and handles very light and handy like. 410g at something like 1875 and it do kick! There's not a lot of weight to it, you know.
It handles well, action is slick, looks great, and delivers the goods. Questions? :-)

Ditto to Bwana-be, except for that little detail about owning one.

Marlin really has been ahead of the game in levers, both technologically and cosmetically for a few years now.

-Spencer

With the correct load, it will take a bear with no problem. I have used mine on boar and deer. Placed a 425 grain hard cast in the boiler room and both went right down.

The thing about bear hunting is that most of the bear will be coming to the bait the last hour before sunset. Do NOT try to only use iron sights. You will be passing up too many opportunities. The last bear I took, I used and 50mm illuminated scope. It makes a difference. Often the larger boars will not come in till sunset or later.

I used my 30-06 on the last bear, but had the 45-70 as a backup. The guide likes them so much, he kept asking me to use it instead....

woody,

I have one and though I love it dearly in reality it is about the same as the standard 22" bbl model. They both weigh the same so recoil "should" be the same in both. The standard model has a heavier though shorter barrel. Despite this the two balanced the same to me. The 22" model would ceratinly be more handy and they are lots cheaper due to the fact that they are not a "new" model. I got the cowboy simply because I shoot lots of cowboy silhouette with it. And, well, it just plain looks good like you said!

Since I already have a longer bbl the next one I get will be the guide gun. Non-ported of course!

You won't regret any of the Marlin .45-70's IMHO.

Guys,
I found a dealer who wanted to trade his new 1895C for an old Remington .22 that I had, plus a little cash, so I now have that mean kickin' dude. It is a neat rifle though, and what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger.
Woody