I found one today at a gun show for $400, 2 minor dings on the stock by the butt, and it's ported. As lots of you who read this forum know, I'm in the market for a 1895. I've read reviews of the ported one, and they've ranged from:
"Wow, the ports really help, and don't make it unbearably loud"
all the way to:
"The ports are a nuisance, don't help on a cartridge as slow as a 45-70, but still make it way too loud"

I really want this gun, but if it will just hurt my hearing I think I should wait.

Thanks for any replies!

I've got a GG w/o ports, one of my co-workers has one with ports. We couldn't tell a difference in recoil or noise shooting some 350gr loads at 1,800+ fps.

If the deal is good for either model, buy it!

Is $400 a good deal? My dad said he would call him about it tomorrow, I won't be around, what should I tell him to ask about, like how far down should he try to lower the price without sounding like he's trying to rip him off, number of rounds shot through the gun, condition of the action and barrel, crown, etc.? No actions were allowed to be cycled, everything had something keeping them closed on them, so I don't know the condition of the barrel or anything. I need like a "script" of what to ask when buying a gun, anyhting would be appreciated.

Tyler,

I have an old one that is ported and in 45 70. My boss has a new 450 Marlin guide gun that is not ported. They both kick the same and are the same in loudness. I think the short barell makes it loud not the porting.

Tyler,

I bought mine new three years ago from a place that was having financial problems (they've since gone under) for $375.00.

If it's in good exterior condition and looks like it's been taken care of internally $400 wouldn't be out of line, my girlfriend paid a bit over $400 in good used condition for her S/S GG last year. It also depends on where you are and how much guns go for.

hth

I would recomend you check one thing out !
I had an early guide gun with ports. I liked it fine with 300 grain bullets, but when i loaded up some hot 350 grain loads , I came up with a problem.
the stock was cut to a length that put my right thumb right below my nose, and recoil caused me to jamb my thumb hard against the bottom of my nose,
Hurt like hell !, I think scoping the gun would eliminate the problem.
I sold it and bought a regular 1895. The newer Guide guns have a longer stock that works better. i would like to have one and set it up with a ghost ring...tj3006

Hmmm...the stock design looks the same as the new ones...maybe I'll ask about that, thanks for the warning.

If you hunt wearing the same electronic hearing protection you wear when practicing then the extra noise from the ports will cause you no trouble. I strongly recommend you protect your hearing as a young man, or end up a little too deaf a little too soon like me (and I'll wager several other lip readers on this forum). The Peltor 6S is a pretty good setup.

I don't hunt wearing hearing protection, so ports aren't a good idea. The stainless model is new for $475. The other guy wants $425 for a used one thats got dings on the stock, something I don't like. Guess which one I'll pursue? I'll make sure everyone knows if I get it.

Tyler,
I've never shot a 45-70 with the ports to compare. I do recommend buying new since you are young, especially if the history of a used gun is shady.

I can vouch for the hearing loss at a young age. I'm only 24 and I have substantial hearing loss in both ears, especially my left ear. I have a constant ringing in my ears 24/7. Now I can't hear certain frequencies of sound particularly high and low pitches. Years of unprotected shooting is to blame.

I would recommend getting a pair of those electronic muffs or "hearing aids" to hunt with. You look like a "tool" when you're out there, but you'll have the benefit of hearing later in life. If you buy your levergun at a small time dealer, you might be able to work a deal and get them at a reduced cost.

The local gun shops...one is expensive as heck, for used rifles, they don't carry new, and the other is expensive as heck and don't carry used. Their prices are normally $100 higher than other places for a new gun.

I suggest looking through the Gun List and the Shotgun News to find access to their list of dealers who will do transfers for you, then have them get what you want new for you from a sholesaler at dealer cost plus their transfer fee.

I found a "transfer dealer" in the next town to the north of my rural homestead just that way. He only charges actual dealer cost, actual shipping, and $20 transfer fee for ANY gun.

Graf's (local gun shop) charges $25 plus $15 shipping to get a gun in, the 1895g is $412 dealer cost, and 1895gs is $472. I think if I can get the gun from the lady it's a better deal.

Tyler my boy, I wouldn't be too concerned about your hearing. Just take extra precautions when going to the range or use some electronic's out in the field, those things are a dream. Trust me though, when you're older and married you're gonna wish you couldn't hear!

quote:

I don't hunt wearing hearing protection, so ports aren't a good idea.

Tyler, you're one quarter right. Ports are probably a good idea if you're shooting the +P sledgehammers everyone oohs and awes over, but truth be told deer fall over just fine to a 405 @ 1200 or 300 @ 1600, and do not call for ports. I'll guess this is why Marlin dropped the ports on all but the 450 Guide Gun. As for hunting without hearing protection you're just plain wrong, young man. I didn't lose my hearing by shooting a ported Guide Gun without hearing protection. I lost it, just like you will if you do not instantly become permanently careful, by shooting rifles and shotguns without hearing protection. By the time I noticed most pistol shots gave me that icepicks in the ears feeling it was probably too late but for the last 30 years I've been wearing protection on the range. In the last decade or so I started wearing the Peltor 6S in the field. My son has never fired a shot without wearing hearing protection and I hope he never has to (Now all I have to do is get him to turn down the volume on his iPod). By the way the worst thing about hearing loss is that sometimes hearing is replaced by high pitched whining (tinnitus - 24/7 - for the rest of your life) instead of silence.

The Marlin 1895M no longer has ports either.

I much prefer the 1895's with unported, full length barrels. My buddy shoots a short barreled ported 450 and the noise and muzzle blast are ridiculous IMHO---2MG

I did not comment much on the ports, on my earlier post. But In my opinion the 45/70 with hand loads has a fair amount of recoil.
If that scares you buy somthing else. Ports will reduce the problem a little but create another problem in increased noise.
I use hearing protsction when shooting at targets but not when hunting. I do not hear to well either , but I blame a deep purple concert in 1975. By the way as far as the stock problem goes just hold the rifle to your shoulder and if your nose hovvers over your thumb you have the short stock...tj3006
...tj3006

I have a good friend who will be 80 in feb 07, and he shoots handloads in a ported marlin guide gun regularly. He says the ports made a difference in recoil and He sold me his old 1895.

Tinnitus is a bitch. I would not wish that on anyone.
Besides that I was hit on the cheek by something blown out of the ports of a Guide Gun at the range. I was 4 feet to the right and 5 feet behind the shooter. It stung like a yellow jacket. No ports for me.

Well...I'm getting the 1895gs tomorrow after my football game. Heck yes!

quote:

(and I'll wager several other lip readers on this forum)

huh?

quote:

Originally posted by Tyler Kemp:
Well...I'm getting the 1895gs tomorrow after my football game. Heck yes!

A fine choice of rifle, no doubt.
Short, handy, accurate, reliable, nicely made and hits like a thunderbolt.
Nice work.
Let us know how it works out for you young fella.

This is my Marlin Guide Gun in .45-70. It has the ports and they do help. It does not make the gun unbearably loud. I like the ports on this gun, and I'm glad it has them. Bill T.

I have shot both ported and unported. I have no preference. I have not noticed much if any difference between them.

I just bought one two months ago and it was $414 NIB+tax at Academy.Don't know if you have those around your area.Got a quote from a dealer for $460 out the door for a differance of $12 between the big store and the dealer.

my 18" ported is I think to close to my ear, only shooting the heavy sluggs. Right ear can't dampen the second shot if I don't drop the animal immediately with the first shot. I don't know about comparing 2 short alike bbls ported or not but I know one thing I am looking into replacing my barrel with a 26" tube and no port--anyone know who will do a barrel R/R on a Marlin 1895?

I am one who dislikes ported barrels anymore and I think dislike is an understatement.

I don't think ports really do much for a 45-70 -- any normal hunting load you'll use will have a low level of recoil -- and if you're going for grizzly, etc, then you probably won't notice the garrett -- forget the ports, and put a limbsaver pad on it

Not that this helps hearing, but it's said, and I've experienced it myself, that in the excitement at shooting at big game you don't pay much attention to muzzleblast and recoil. That's true. That's not to say that it doesn't hurt your ears, but they don't ring like you shot two or three shots off the bench. Being I never big dangerous game hunted in Africa with the big big magnums, I can't vouch if that hold true to them.