Marlin 1895 CB or Winchester 1886 Short Rifle?

[sghart3578]

Hello friends,

I want to add a 45-70 to my safe to replace the H&R Handi that I sold a few years ago.

I like my Marlins, I have two. I looked at a new 1895 CB at Sportsman's Warehouse the other day.

But I have always liked the 1886 design. I know the Winchester is a lot more money but, if you guys had to choose one, which would it be?

I don't hunt any more, it would be strictly a range toy and strictly a cast bullet shooter.

Thanks in advance for your help and input.


Steve in N CA

[hpdrifter]

If I had the money, the 1886. I have a M1895 and I like it. The fit and finish are fine. Check the rifling of the Marlin before you buy.

[sghart3578]

If I had the money, the 1886. I have a M1895 and I like it. The fit and finish are fine. Check the rifling of the Marlin before you buy.

Is your Marlin a new one?

Thanks,
Steve

[gpidaho]

You best check out some of the threads here at Boolits before you plunk down the cash for a new Remlin 1895 CB. The one we bought was a total ********* with CHUNKS missing from the rifling. Remlin wouldn't fix it. We finally got our money back from the gun shop after a huge hassle. Gp

[sghart3578]

You best check out some of the threads here at Boolits before you plunk down the cash for a new Remlin 1895 CB. The one we bought was a total ********* with CHUNKS missing from the rifling. Remlin wouldn't fix it. We finally got our money back from the gun shop after a huge hassle. Gp

Yeah, that's what scares me off from a new Marlin.

Thanks

[Brad Cayton]

I got a new Marlin, 1895, CB last summer. Fit and finish was fine and it shoots lights out. I also bought a new 1894 in 45 colt and a 336TD. Others have had issues but all 3 of my new Marlins are very nice and shoot great.

[hpdrifter]

Is your Marlin a new one?

Thanks,
Steve

It was brand new a year and a half ago. Marlin replaced my barrel.

[DW475]

I bought the Marlin Cowboy when it first came out (pre Remlin!!) and it's a heck of a shooter. Since 45-70 is one of my favorite calibers I had to get an 1886 and a few others in the collection. Both my Marlin and Win love the cast boolits. I would spend the money and go with the Winchester if you can.

[44Blam]

I've got a Marlin 1985 and it shoots great. Rifling is good, fit and finish are good. I've only shot 405 and 500 grn boolits through it. Those 500 grn boolits with a stout load sure do pack a wallup!
I recently got a 350 grn mould that is a hollow point, so they should be closer to 300 grn. I cast about 300 a couple weeks back. Just waiting for them to harden up to shoot them. Maybe weekend after next...

[Bad Ass Wallace]

When I retired after 46 years my wife bought me a Pedersoli 1886 in 45/70. These are fitted with the quality 1:18 ROT that they use in the Sharps rifles. Like the original Winchesters, this rifle has a generous breech to feed 500gn boolits which the Marlin will not. Surpurbly accurate to boot!



10 Shots kneeling at 100 yds (open sights)



Since fitted with Lyman receiver sight

[sghart3578]

That is a fine looking rifle, thanks for sharing.

Thanks to every one for their input.


Steve in N CA

[msp2640]

Steve - I basically have both rifles you've mentioned. short - The 1886 gets shot more often! long - In my case its not an apples to apples comparison though. I was an original owner of a Marlin 1895S, that I may have shot 100 rounds through over the course of 15 years. A local shop had a 2nd hand Marlin 1895CB model (could have passed for new in the box) and I traded my rifle and about 100 cash for the Cowboy model. This was maybe 10 years ago, before Remington took Marlin over and prices escalated. The 1886 Winchester (made by Miroku) is actually in 45-90 and that to came via a trade for a handgun and cash added about a year after. I wasn't really in the market for it at the time, but the owner was looking for a base revolver for custom work, which I had and we made a great deal for both of us. The 1886 seems to be made to a higher quality, not to disparage the 1895 because it is nice, the 1886 just has better wood, higher polished bluing and overall parts fitment is better. Both ahve the longer 26 in octagonal barrels, the 1886 has the curved steel buttplate vs the "shotgun style" butt of the Marlin. With heavier bullets, loaded with some gusto, the 1886 can be less enjoyable off of the bench, even with a proper hold on the rifle. The 1886 had a Marble tang sight on it when I received it, whereas the 1895 has just the factory sights. After shooting both, I just can't say if one is more accurate than the other. I can't speak to the newly produced Marlins, having never even held one, but apparently they're finally releasing 357 lever guns, supposedly worked out the bugs with their production. I think I'll give them a year or so out in the public, before I'm a buyer. It's just my opinion, even if Remington has ironed out the issues with their lever gun production and you can afford to upgrade, you may enjoy the 1886 from an aesthetics perspective more. I was very, very fortunate in my acquisition of both. I don't think if I was starting over and had cash in hand that I would even be in the market to buy both, and with hindsight now, I would just purchase the 1886 (in 45-70 or 45-90 - didn't matter to me then or now) and it wouldn't matter which name on the rifle either, whether it was Browning or Winchester (I believe Miroku has made them for both). I have not had the chance to see a Pedersoli version of the 1886, but have read good things about their products, the one above is beautiful. Good luck in your decision! Bill in MA

[MostlyLeverGuns]

My new Marlin 1895 Cowboy is put together as well as my 1979 Marlin 1895. If open or aperture sights, the 1886 would work well. I have Winchester and Browning 71's in 348, I prefer shooting with scopes, so the lighter Marlins are my choice. Haven't really worked an accuracy load, but the Cowboy may make MOA with the 4.5-14 scope I use for load development. The Marlin is very easy to do trigger tuning, the 86/71 are more difficult. I have looked at the Pedersoli 86/71. The case-hardening colors do make for a good looking rifle. The modern Winchester 86 and 71 have that tang-safety, a show stopper for me.

[osteodoc08]

If you’re looking at the new Winchester with tang safety, do yourself a favor and look at the Browning 1886 or perdersoli. I’ve found the quality in bluing and wood work better, but it doesn’t have the “Winchester” name on it. For some it matters. No judgement here. The browning and Winchester will need to be thriated

[sghart3578]

Thank you every one for your insight. You have given me a lot to think about.


Steve in N CA

[shortlegs]

I have the marlin in 45-70 CB and 45 colt CB. both shoot great. A friends wife just bought the marlin guide gun in 45-70 for herself. She is afraid of running into hogs while deer hunting and was afraid she couldnt get on charging pig fast enough with scoped rifle and wanted something to put down pig the fastest. 405 gr bullet about 1200 fps should do the job!

[wrench man]

Have Marlin 1895's, regular rifle 22" and an LTD "I" 24" half round/octagon barrel and the Pedersoli 1886/71, the Pedersoli gets shot the most, but I haven't had the LTD that long yet.

[comprschrg]

The WORST experience I've ever had with a new rifle was when I made the mistake of buying a remlin 1895.
I can't warn you enough to do your homework, and find out for yourself, the new remlins are not all good. You might get a good one, but if you don't you'll be in for months of aggravation.
I know. It took me ten months of sending my rifle back and forth only to get my money back in the end.

[Kevinakaq]

Have a newly manufactured Marlin 1895cb in 24” and a Browning 1886 SRC. Both are nice rifles. I would select the 1895 first because is it less invested money and lighter, BUT the Browning is a fine rifle and multiple steps above the Marlin in quality. I just worry more taking the Browning out! The Remlin 1895 is accurate and well put together and is a fine rifle. I must state though that mine was a SHOT show model that I was able to inspect along with three others at time of purchase.

I did decide on a used Browning 1886 over the Winchester due to the tang safety. Watching Hickok45’s videos of him with his didn’t hurt either...

I recently found an 1895cb JM stamped for sale in next to new condition for $1000 with the box. Near the same price as a nice Browning 1886 but still am sorely tempted as a replacement/upgrade for my Remlin. I must honestly admit though that the Remlin quality is right up there with the JM Marlin...just a personal preference thing imho.

Good luck with what is a difficult choice.

[sghart3578]

I had the chance to handle both the Marlin and the Winchester at stores here in town.

The Winchester impressed me overall as the nicer rifle and for $500 more it should be a nicer rifle.

But the tang safety is a deal breaker for me. I was thinking that in the future I may want to add a tang sight so I would be stuck.