The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - all weather 45-70 lever action rifle

3Crows · January 1, 2018, 06:04 PM

Dear OP. I have a 45-70 Marlin SBL. The rifle was purchased a year ago. It is a fine rifle, functions wonderful and is very slick and smooth and reliable. Because it is stainless and laminate it is certainly resistant to weather. I like the FNC stainless GSBL version they have as well, might look for one. I do not need to do the Custom Shop route though because I can work my own weapons pretty good. I much prefer stainless steel whenever and wherever possible over blued. Both looks and function.

I was initially very attracted to the chrome Henry 45-70 but the quality control is not what I was expecting and I do not like the tube loading. A buddy of mine has one and it does not cycle reliably compared to my 1895 and it feels rough when I cycle it. And again, the tube loading and pointing a rifle at myself to load and unload is not for me. I can live with it in a rimfire but not in a centerfire. Too slow and cumbersome.

January 1, 2018, 06:04 PM	#10
3Crows Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2017 Location: Wichita, Kansas Posts: 220	Dear OP. I have a 45-70 Marlin SBL. The rifle was purchased a year ago. It is a fine rifle, functions wonderful and is very slick and smooth and reliable. Because it is stainless and laminate it is certainly resistant to weather. I like the FNC stainless GSBL version they have as well, might look for one. I do not need to do the Custom Shop route though because I can work my own weapons pretty good. I much prefer stainless steel whenever and wherever possible over blued. Both looks and function. I was initially very attracted to the chrome Henry 45-70 but the quality control is not what I was expecting and I do not like the tube loading. A buddy of mine has one and it does not cycle reliably compared to my 1895 and it feels rough when I cycle it. And again, the tube loading and pointing a rifle at myself to load and unload is not for me. I can live with it in a rimfire but not in a centerfire. Too slow and cumbersome. Last edited by 3Crows; January 1, 2018 at 06:15 PM.