Marlin · Rifle
Marlin 1895 SBL
Lever action · .45-70 Government · introduced 2010
Also known as 1895 SBL, Stainless Big Loop
About the Marlin 1895 SBL
The Marlin 1895 SBL (Stainless Big Loop) is the modern tactical-styled big-bore lever-action rifle chambered in the venerable .45-70 Government. Built on Marlin's strong 1895 action, the SBL features a 19.1-inch cold hammer-forged stainless steel barrel with threaded muzzle, gray laminate hardwood stock, oversized lever loop for use with heavy gloves, XS Sights ghost-ring rear and tritium fiber-optic front sight, and a full-length Picatinny optics rail. After Sturm, Ruger & Co. acquired Marlin in 2020, the SBL was the first Marlin model reintroduced under Ruger production in 2021.
When Ruger relaunched the Marlin lineup in 2021, they chose the 1895 SBL as the flagship - the rifle that would either prove or doom the new factory's quality. It proved them. The Ruger-era SBL is widely considered the finest production .45-70 lever gun ever made, and Alaskan bush pilots and bear-country guides have made it a near-default sidearm against grizzlies and brown bears.
Marlin 1895 SBL specifications
General
- Type
- Rifle
- Action
- Lever action
- Firing mechanism
- Hammer-fired
- Trigger
- Single stage
- Calibres
- .45-70 Government
- Magazine capacity
- 6 rounds
- Magazine
- Tubular magazine
Dimensions
- Barrel length
- 485 mm (19.1 in)
- Overall length
- 946 mm (37.2 in)
- Weight (empty)
- 3.31 kg (7.30 lb)
Barrel
- Rifling twist
- 1:20 in (508 mm)
- Rifling
- Right hand
- Grooves
- 6
Materials
- Barrel
- Stainless steel
- Receiver / frame
- Stainless steel
- Stock
- Wood
- Finish
- stainless
Performance
- Muzzle velocity (typical)
- 600 m/s (1969 fps)
- Muzzle energy (typical)
- 4680 J (3452 ft·lb)
- Effective range
- 150 m
History
- Introduced
- 2010
- Production status
- In production
- Country of origin
- US
Features
- Oversized lever loop
- Threaded muzzle
- Tritium fiber optic front sight
- Ghost ring rear sight
- Picatinny rail
- Side loading gate
- Tubular magazine
- Exposed hammer
- Gray laminate stock
- Sling swivel studs
Safety
- Cross bolt safety
- Hammer block
- Half cock notch
The 'SBL' designation stands for Stainless Big Loop. Modern Ruger-built SBLs are highly sought after - early examples were easily resold for double MSRP. Capable of taking any North American game including coastal brown bear with proper loads.
This is a variant of the Marlin Model 1895.
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