marlin 1895 sbl vs the henry all weather 45-70

REVOLVERfan · July 30, 2017, 10:43 AM

I know the differences between the two (load gate vs tube, stainless vs chrome, laminated stock vs treated wood) my question is to anyone that owns one what would you choose? and I prefer a new gun and don't want to spend a ton on a used jm. are they both durable enough to handle hot loads? just trying to get some opinions before I make the purchase.

T. O'Heir · July 30, 2017, 11:38 AM

There are 'lever action' loads that aren't as hot as loads developed for stuff like Ruger No. 1's, but are a bit warmer than Trap Door loads. Mind you, when you consider the lightest .45-70 bullet is about 250 grains(a bit over a half ounce), there really isn't a lot to be concerned about. The TD loads run about the same velocity as a 110 grain .30 Carbine. They start at about the Max TD loads for a lever action and can go up to roughly 174 grain .303 Brit velocities.
However, MSRP on the Henry(7 pounds. 4 round capacity) is $999.95. MSRP on the Marlin(8 pounds. 6 shot capacity.) is $1,146.00. Don't think the price difference is warranted.

Six Pack · July 30, 2017, 03:15 PM

I would go for the Marlin. See my response the the Remlin 45-70 thread.

Dufus · July 30, 2017, 04:59 PM

I chose the Henry H010CC and shoot 405 gr cast.

When loaded up, it is quite a handful.

Minorcan · July 30, 2017, 06:04 PM

Given the negative reviews and problems posters have had with Remington and their awful Customer Service I would not buy anything made by Remington. This includes personal experience with a purchase I made from Remington. I would prefer a real Marlin. their are plenty of the older guns made during the "good" years.

Six Pack · July 30, 2017, 10:25 PM

Minorcan, what was your problem with Remington? My Marlin is the only Rem product I own and have never had any issues of any kind.

And BTW, it's THERE, not THEIR. "Just sayin' " as they say.....

Lohman446 · July 31, 2017, 09:24 AM

As much as I like a good many things about Henry rifles I cannot, personally, get over the loading tube for anything but a range gun. If the Henry had a loading gate it would take this 10 times out of 10. It does not. If Remington had not destroyed the Marlin reputation I would take it 10 out of 10. They have.

So I'm left with.... ehhh?

Dufus · July 31, 2017, 10:07 AM

When I was a pup, my Dad taught me to shoot starting with a 22 LR rifle with a tube. The Henry and its tube just comes natural for me.

Neither the Henry or the Marlin would be considered a "range" gun in any sense of the word.

CLYA · July 31, 2017, 02:02 PM

Hi, new here, but I've had this forum on my main bookmarks for around two years, when I got interested in AR-15s. Owned four, and put together three of them.

As to the new Marlins made by Remington, and Henrys. I now have two of the Marlins made in 2016, and a new Henry 45-70. I had began putting hand loads for the 45-70 together, about six months before I picked up a rifle. Initial thought was to go with the Henry. I had read all the "Remlin" stuff too, as they called them.

While looking at the Henrys, I took a look at the 1895 Marlin octagon barrel 45-70 model. Wood to metal fit was much improved from the pics and videos I had seen. The front sight was mounted on the barrel at the 90 degree up location. The crown looked good, and I put a flashlight in the receiver to get a somewhat look at the barrel and rifling. If anything the finish of the walnut stock wasn't up to the looks of the Henry, and the woodwork wasn't as rounded as the Henry as it met the metal parts. Yet the wood furniture was nice & even as it contoured around the metal parts.

At that point, I put a deposit on the gun, read up some more on the subject, and watched more videos. Some for, and some against. I ended up buying the Marlin. Brought it home, removed the lever and bolt, and gave it a cleaning. I also applied some tung oil finish to the wood, which really brought out the grain and actually looks real good, even sitting next to the Henry.

At the range, this rifle was shooting very accurately, even with it's original Buckhorn sights. I've since added Skinner Alaskan sights to it. Since I reload, I've put more than several hundred rounds through it, in the last two months, without a single failure to load or eject. The accuracy remains as good as ever.

After the Marlin, I bought a Henry. It's a nice looking rifle, shoots accurate, has good looking wood to metal fit............but I still prefer the side load method versus the Henry magazine tube loading. Yet, it's not that big of deal.

Since my original 2016 Marlin-Remington-Freedom Group 45-70 has done so well, I bought a new Marlin 336 30-30 stainless steel. It's wood to metal finish is also very good. Same with the barrel, receiver and other parts. I did disassemble this one, and polished all of the action parts, as well as rounding the sharper edges on the lever. I'd say, the action is now as smooth as the Henry's.

I've now put many factory and reloads through it, and it functions perfectly too. It is a fact, that earlier made "Remlins" had problems with fit & finish, as well as some machined parts. It's true, what has been said. At the same time, there are now some nice looking & functioning rifles coming off the lines. I wouldn't care to trade my new ones, for a JM model. I might perhaps buy a JM sometime, but I have no dog in the JM versus Marlin-Remington battle, that some people have.

It's just important, to inspect the rifle first if possible. Make sure it cycles correctly, that the sight is milled straight, instead of an angle, and that the rifling & crown looks decent as far as you can tell from a quick observation.

July 30, 2017, 10:43 AM	#1
REVOLVERfan Member Join Date: January 12, 2017 Posts: 26	marlin 1895 sbl vs the henry all weather 45-70 I know the differences between the two (load gate vs tube, stainless vs chrome, laminated stock vs treated wood) my question is to anyone that owns one what would you choose? and I prefer a new gun and don't want to spend a ton on a used jm. are they both durable enough to handle hot loads? just trying to get some opinions before I make the purchase.

July 30, 2017, 11:38 AM	#2
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	There are 'lever action' loads that aren't as hot as loads developed for stuff like Ruger No. 1's, but are a bit warmer than Trap Door loads. Mind you, when you consider the lightest .45-70 bullet is about 250 grains(a bit over a half ounce), there really isn't a lot to be concerned about. The TD loads run about the same velocity as a 110 grain .30 Carbine. They start at about the Max TD loads for a lever action and can go up to roughly 174 grain .303 Brit velocities. However, MSRP on the Henry(7 pounds. 4 round capacity) is $999.95. MSRP on the Marlin(8 pounds. 6 shot capacity.) is $1,146.00. Don't think the price difference is warranted. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

July 30, 2017, 03:15 PM	#3
Six Pack Member Join Date: May 7, 2016 Posts: 37	I would go for the Marlin. See my response the the Remlin 45-70 thread.

July 30, 2017, 04:59 PM	#4
Dufus Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2014 Posts: 1,965	I chose the Henry H010CC and shoot 405 gr cast. When loaded up, it is quite a handful.

July 30, 2017, 06:04 PM	#5
Minorcan Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2015 Posts: 379	Given the negative reviews and problems posters have had with Remington and their awful Customer Service I would not buy anything made by Remington. This includes personal experience with a purchase I made from Remington. I would prefer a real Marlin. their are plenty of the older guns made during the "good" years.

July 30, 2017, 10:25 PM	#6
Six Pack Member Join Date: May 7, 2016 Posts: 37	Minorcan, what was your problem with Remington? My Marlin is the only Rem product I own and have never had any issues of any kind. And BTW, it's THERE, not THEIR. "Just sayin' " as they say.....

July 31, 2017, 09:24 AM	#7
Lohman446 Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 2016 Posts: 2,192	As much as I like a good many things about Henry rifles I cannot, personally, get over the loading tube for anything but a range gun. If the Henry had a loading gate it would take this 10 times out of 10. It does not. If Remington had not destroyed the Marlin reputation I would take it 10 out of 10. They have. So I'm left with.... ehhh?

July 31, 2017, 10:07 AM	#8
Dufus Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2014 Posts: 1,965	When I was a pup, my Dad taught me to shoot starting with a 22 LR rifle with a tube. The Henry and its tube just comes natural for me. Neither the Henry or the Marlin would be considered a "range" gun in any sense of the word.

July 31, 2017, 02:02 PM	#9
CLYA Senior Member Join Date: July 31, 2017 Posts: 125	Hi, new here, but I've had this forum on my main bookmarks for around two years, when I got interested in AR-15s. Owned four, and put together three of them. As to the new Marlins made by Remington, and Henrys. I now have two of the Marlins made in 2016, and a new Henry 45-70. I had began putting hand loads for the 45-70 together, about six months before I picked up a rifle. Initial thought was to go with the Henry. I had read all the "Remlin" stuff too, as they called them. While looking at the Henrys, I took a look at the 1895 Marlin octagon barrel 45-70 model. Wood to metal fit was much improved from the pics and videos I had seen. The front sight was mounted on the barrel at the 90 degree up location. The crown looked good, and I put a flashlight in the receiver to get a somewhat look at the barrel and rifling. If anything the finish of the walnut stock wasn't up to the looks of the Henry, and the woodwork wasn't as rounded as the Henry as it met the metal parts. Yet the wood furniture was nice & even as it contoured around the metal parts. At that point, I put a deposit on the gun, read up some more on the subject, and watched more videos. Some for, and some against. I ended up buying the Marlin. Brought it home, removed the lever and bolt, and gave it a cleaning. I also applied some tung oil finish to the wood, which really brought out the grain and actually looks real good, even sitting next to the Henry. At the range, this rifle was shooting very accurately, even with it's original Buckhorn sights. I've since added Skinner Alaskan sights to it. Since I reload, I've put more than several hundred rounds through it, in the last two months, without a single failure to load or eject. The accuracy remains as good as ever. After the Marlin, I bought a Henry. It's a nice looking rifle, shoots accurate, has good looking wood to metal fit............but I still prefer the side load method versus the Henry magazine tube loading. Yet, it's not that big of deal. Since my original 2016 Marlin-Remington-Freedom Group 45-70 has done so well, I bought a new Marlin 336 30-30 stainless steel. It's wood to metal finish is also very good. Same with the barrel, receiver and other parts. I did disassemble this one, and polished all of the action parts, as well as rounding the sharper edges on the lever. I'd say, the action is now as smooth as the Henry's. I've now put many factory and reloads through it, and it functions perfectly too. It is a fact, that earlier made "Remlins" had problems with fit & finish, as well as some machined parts. It's true, what has been said. At the same time, there are now some nice looking & functioning rifles coming off the lines. I wouldn't care to trade my new ones, for a JM model. I might perhaps buy a JM sometime, but I have no dog in the JM versus Marlin-Remington battle, that some people have. It's just important, to inspect the rifle first if possible. Make sure it cycles correctly, that the sight is milled straight, instead of an angle, and that the rifling & crown looks decent as far as you can tell from a quick observation.