Low prices on the Marlin 1895 Stainless Guide Gun in .45-70 start at Champion Firearms-

Side Ejection Perfection. Nothing in the world is more purely American or iconic as the lever action rifle. In fact, just after the Civil War, the most advanced rifles known to man were lever carbines with tubular fed magazines. These "cowboy" guns dominated the Old West, also proving themselves to be highly effective hunting rifles for over 150 years.

At the heart of the design is a solid top, side eject receiver-- technology that would pave the way for mounting optics. This singular achievement would later allow the platform to be classified as a truly modern hunting rifle.

The story of this gradual transformation can trace its origins back to the late 1860's, when Henry and Winchester lever action rifles first made their debut on the U.S. market. Then in the year 1881, the Marlin Firearms Company arrived on the scene and things would never be the same again.

Over the next half century, Henry folded, Marlin lagged behind in relative obscurity, while the rifles designed by legendary inventor John Moses Browning and produced by Winchester would remain a staple of the American frontiersman. However, by the 1930's an inescapable design flaw began to come into sharp focus for sportsmen around the country -- the Winchester's couldn't take a scope.

And that's when Marlin took the lead from behind, capitalizing on an unforeseen design bonus, all courtesy of a remarkable stroke of engineering genius. In 1893, Marlin filed for a lever action design patent that featured a forged action with something altogether revolutionary-- side ejection-- which Winchester rifles unwittingly lacked. Despite being a true genius and possessing a rare insight into firearms technology, John Browning certainly could not have foreseen the inevitable popularity of hunting optics.

This new Marlin rifle was cleaner, had less moving parts, was less likely to bind up or have debris fall into the action and prevent it from working properly. Later refinements at the onset of WWII saw a rounded, massive alloy steel bolt body firmly supported and engaged in a broad, deep locking surface inside the breech, giving the rifle an even stronger lockup.

After WWII, Marlin's solid top receiver would prove an ideal mounting platform for riflescopes, which became wildly popular among returning GI's turned avid deer hunters. By contrast, Winchester top ejectors meant awkwardly offsetting a scope to the side of the receiver, which caused problems due to parallax.

It wasn't until the Reagan administration in 1982 that Winchester finally redesigned its action to angled cartridge ejection, which then made possible the top mounted scope-- amazing when you stop and consider Marlin already had this technology in place back when Grover Cleveland was still president.

To provide shooter's with maximum overall security, the Marlin 1895 Guide Gun is equipped with four highly effective safety features. In the event a rifle is banged or dropped, the first safety feature is a half- cock hammer that prevents it from making contact with the firing pin.

Next is a crossbolt safety, which even goes a step further and acts as a hammer block, or mechanical barrier, to help prevent unintentional discharge. The third safeguard is a patented Marlin mechanism dating back to the year 1893 -- a two piece firing pin that forces the rear section to drop out of alignment until the locking bolt is fully engaged. The final safety feature is a trigger block that prevents the gun from being discharged unless the lever is completely closed.

Introduced in 1972, the Marlin 1895 Guide Gun (sometimes referred to as "New Model") is a direct descendant of the company's original rifle produced from 1895 through 1917. However, the New Model is based on the 336 receiver upgrades from 1948.

The furniture is a handsome American black walnut that is superbly done and includes a tough Mar-Shield finish. A pistol grip, clean cut checkered buttstock and standard contour forend combine to provide excellent handling and control when firing off hand.

The rifle's stainless steel finish provide excellent corrosion resistance while still maintaining a classical appearance. Ammunition feeds via the rifle's 4- shot tubular magazine. The round profile 18.5" barrel has deep cut Ballard type rifling for also firing cast lead bullets and exhibits excellent accuracy.

While drilled and tapped for a scope mount, the Marlin Classic 1895 also wears an adjustable, folding semi- buckhorn rear with brass front bead sight and Wide-Scan hood that is highly visible and gets on target quickly. An ambidextrous offset hammer spur is included for use in conjunction with scopes and the rifle weighs in at 7- pounds unloaded.

Despite the fact just about everyone can shoot more accurately with a scoped rifle, there are instances where a deer gun with open sights becomes indispensable. In thick brush, big timber, or in adverse whether conditions, iron sights perform remarkably well-- not to mention greatly improving the balance of a rifle for off- hand shots.

For service or repairs, the rifle is backed by the company's standard 5- year manufacturer's warranty. Overall, the Marlin Classic Model 1895 offers the advantage of being chambered in a .45-70Govt. cartridge, which delivers bone crushing power at close range on dangerous game.

At relatively close distances (200- yards or less), high quality lever guns like the Marlin compare favorable with their bolt action counterparts in terms of minute-of-angle accuracy-- while operating much faster and more efficiently for follow- up shots. Similarly, a lever action rifle may not cycle as fast or carry as many rounds as a semi- auto like the AR-10, but is more powerful, more compact, better balanced plus costs far less to purchase.

Established in 1993, Champion Firearms is a retail gun store and indoor range located in College Station, Texas.

As a brick & mortar store, we pride ourselves on customer service, quality products and our competitive pricing.

Each listing is an item we actively plan to stock. While not all of our inventory is listed, the items contained on our website represent some of the most popular products we carry.

Our staff has worked hard and done their best to ensure the accuracy of every listing. In the event an error has been made, Champion Firearms asks your understanding while we make it right.

From all of us here at Champion Firearms, thanks for visiting our store. For assistance, please do not hesitate to let us know what we can do to help: (979) 693-9948 or [email protected]