Marlin 1895 Guide Gun

About the Marlin 1895 Guide Gun

The Marlin 1895 Guide Gun is a short-barreled lever-action rifle chambered in .45-70 Government. Introduced in 1998 as the Model 1895G, it pairs a compact 19.1-inch (originally 18.5-inch) barrel with a six-round tubular magazine, making it a fast-handling, hard-hitting rifle favored by big-game hunters and wilderness guides as backup protection against large or dangerous animals. Following Ruger's acquisition of Marlin, the Guide Gun was reintroduced with a cold hammer-forged barrel, laminate stock, and a big-loop lever.

The Guide Gun earned its name and reputation among Alaskan and Canadian hunting guides who wanted a compact, powerful rifle that could be carried all day yet stop a charging bear at close range with the century-old .45-70 cartridge.

Marlin 1895 Guide Gun specifications

Originally cataloged as the Model 1895G; the big-loop variant was known as the 1895GBL (Guide Big Loop). The current Ruger-produced model (70456) carries a 19.1-inch barrel and threaded muzzle. Early Marlin-made Guide Guns used an 18.5-inch barrel.