The Marlin Model 1895 Guide Gun is back! Ever since Ruger bought the Marlin brand in 2020, fans have been waiting for the return of the Guide Gun series. Ruger has since unveiled a tight catalog of Marlins over the past two years, including the 1895 SBL and the 1895 Trapper — but the model that Marlin fans knew as the 1895 GBL (Guide Big Loop) was not among them; it has now returned as the 1895 Guide Gun.
Ruger says the new 1895 Guide Gun is the “first reintroduction in the Guide Gun family of rifles and Ruger’s first introduction of an allow steel Marlin rifle with a blued finish,” which indicates there will certainly be more to come.
“The Guide Gun is our next step in the expansion of the Marlin line,” said Chris Killoy, Ruger CEO and president, in a release. “Marlin fans should be encouraged by the growth in product offerings and know that we are going to continuously expand into other models.”
This model is chambered in .45-70 Govt. with a capacity of 6+1 rounds. It features a 19-inch cold hammer-forged barrel with a 1:20” twist and a threaded muzzle (11/16”-24). The rifle comes with a match-polished thread protector, so you can run it as is, with a brake or comp to help tame that .45-70 kick or a suppressor.
Much like the 1895 GBL, the furniture on the new Guide Gun is brown laminate with “crisp checkering to help maintain a good grip in virtually all weather conditions.” The steel receiver, big-loop lever, and trigger guard plate all have a blued, satin finish contrasting with a nickel-plated bolt that helps ensure smooth cycling and lasting durability.
On top is a traditional fully adjustable semi-buckhorn sighting system similar to the sights on the Marlin Model 1894, but with a heavily hooded front sight.
It’s a handsome rifle, no doubt, and it adds a welcomed new yet familiar entry to the Marlin lineup, which now features five lever-gun models and three rimfire rifles.
The price may seem a bit steep to people who remember this model going for about $700 in the old days. Well, a lot has happened since then. These days, used Model 1895 GBL rifles are going for about $1,400 or more. Considering that, the $1,149 price tag on the new 1895 Guide Gun doesn’t seem so unreasonable.
Model 1895 Guide Gun Specs
Caliber: 45-70 Govt
Capacity: 6+1
Weight: 7.4 pounds
Overall Length: 37.25 inches
Length of Pull: 13.38 inches
Barrel Length: 19.1 inches
Thread Pattern: 11/16 “-24
Thread Cap: Match-Polished
Barrel: Cold Hammer-Forged Alloy Steel
Twist: 1:20” RH
Grooves: 6
Stock: Brown Laminate
Frame/Receiver: Alloy Steel
Finish: Satin Blued
Rear Sight: Semi-Buckhorn
Front Sight: Brass Bead with Hood
MSRP: $1,149
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