I can pick up a Marlin 1895 Cowboy .45/70 new for $620.00 from a friend. Should I take it or wait on a good deal on a Winchester 1886 .45/70? Is there such a thing as a good deal on an 1886? I looked at a .45/90 today from around 1900 that was priced at $2,300. I thought that was to high considering the condition of the rifle. Thanks for any input.

When faced with your decision, part of the fun is the shopping!
Here is a link to the Gun Digest Winchester 1886 listings. Check out the .45-90 for sale. Since it is new, it must be a Miroku similar to mine with a few mods and much less use:
http://secure.adpay.com/search...ch=winchester%201886

Mine:

I don't know if there is such a thing as a good deal on a new 1886 Winchester. I do know that I would like to have one.

I DO have a 1895 Marlin Cowboy in 45-70, and love it. Light, easy to carry, holds nine, and is scary accurate. A great rifle. Go ahead and get the Marlin, and start saving for the '86 if you can find one.

I think an 1886 is the best lever 45/70 ever made.

The new Jap. made ones I have shot have been excellent.

For the Money, the Marlin is a great 45/70.
You can never go wrong with a Marlin.

Homebrew

Of course you could go totally "retro/eclectic"
and get a Winchester [New Made] 1895 Take Down in 405 WCF.

I "thought" the 1886 was my favorite lever, till I shot a 405 WCF @50 rounds one day at prairie dogs....

I realized I had to have one.

The more I shoot it the more I like it.

IMO it depends on what your objectives for the rifle are. If you're going to cowboy action shoot it, I'd go with the Marlin and be done with it. OTOH if you're going to hunt with it, PERSONALLY I'd much rather have a stainless version Marlin for about a $100 more NIB. A quick search of GB indicates that the new 86s are selling in the $1250 to $1500 range. Whether it is worth the extra money as a shooter is somewhat debatable in my mind, but that is your call. Again, as a personal opinion, I think you'd have a hard time going wrong with a Marlin, considering the difference in price and the basically non-existant difference in performance.

OK. Now I know what to do. First get the Marlin. Then save enough for the 1886 and 1895! Thanks guys. My wife will thank you! (She has finally gotten over the few grand I spent on a new SXS 12 bore.)

I have both one of the 1886 takedowns and a marlin cowboy in 45/70. The winchester is 'prettier' and made to take more abuse. That said, there is nothing wrong with the marlin. I hunt with the marlin regularly. It functions fine, shoots accurately and is lighter to carry. A good buy for the money. you can not go wrong with either or both!

Buckeyeshooter:

Wondering what makes the Winchester built to take more abuse. Not being a PITA, seriously would like to know.

I have a Marlin Guide Gun in 45-70 and love it. Also have a in 44mag. The Win is relatively new.

Buckeye

Is that one of the new 1895 30/06 Carbines?

How does it shoot?

I wish they made that model in a Take Down.

The marlin has a 2 piece firing pin and at times the ejectors need to be replaced. Also the new marlins have a plastic unit in the mag tube to keep pressure on the rounds. The winchester on the other hand just feels 'right' I use the marlin alot for hunting and have several thousand vs several hundrend down the winchester.
It is one of the new carbines, this one is 30-06 and shoots great. I'm real happy with it, I also got one in 30-40 krag, but it is as yet unfired. Winchester has done a nice job with these reissues. They shot real well. Winchester did make an 1895 takedown several years ago--- but its a rifle version. I hope you don't object to my 'gun porn' but I've got a photo of the 30-40 and the takedown.