Hey fellas, long time no post in this section. I recently sold my 444 and now I'm having big bore regret syndrone. I've decieded I need a good bigbore from Marlin. (marlinitis strikes again) This summer I should have a nice bonus comming in that will allow me about 1300-1500 dollars to spend on a new gun, I need a big bore. There is a gun I have always thought was a cool idea made by the good folks at Wild West Guns www.wildwestguns.com the Alaskan Guide model. Here are the specs:
We take a Marlin 1895 Guide Gun in blue or stainless and dissemble it. The action is modified to allow use of the hot .457 Wild West Magnum while still allowing use of standard 45-70 loads along with .410 shot shells, before reassembling, a reliability tune is performed on the action for feeding, extracting and ejecting. Our patent pending Trigger Happy Kit is installed for a crisp clean 3 pound trigger pull. We install a Pachmayr Decelerator pad to help with recoil and Parkerize the rifle. You now have a true Alaskan Guide rifle.

THE ALASKAN GUIDE™
Barrel length 18.5 inches
Recoil Control Porting System
Straight style Wood Stock Cut to Your Length of Pull
Pachmayr Decelerator pad
Action tuned for reliability
WWG Trigger Happy Kit installed and set at approx. 3lbs
Safety Vented Magazine Tube
WWG Ghost Ring Rear Sight
Williams Fire Sight in red with skeletonized hood
Mil-Spec Parkerized finish or Bead Blasted Stainless
Test Fired

I want one real bad, here is my question for you guys, does anyone out there have one, do you know of anyone that does? I'd just like to hear a few first hand stories before I lay down that kind of cash. Thanks in advance.

Ive actualy recently seen a Wild West Marlin in a gunshop in Williston VT ("the Powderhorn"). Its a beauty....its bead blasted stainless but with a price tag of well over 2 grand, Ill just have to settle for the happy trigger kit I have on order with them (WW) and the action work I plan to do myself on my 450. Im reading LOTS of good stuff about WW. Good luck.

Matt,
A lot of what you described is marketing. I'm sure there are a few guides here in the state that actually a WWG rifle, or a Marlin. But... By and large, most use bolt rifles chambered in 338 Win Mag, 375 H&H, or 458 Win Mag. The Alaska Guide rifle WWG is marketing, is just that marketing. Most guides don't use them. If you want a "true" Alaska Guide's rifle, pick up a Winchester M70 chambered for the 458 Win Mag and there you are.

Hey fellas, long time no post in this section. I recently sold my 444 and now I'm having big bore regret syndrone. I've decieded I need a good bigbore from Marlin. (marlinitis strikes again) This summer I should have a nice bonus comming in that will allow me about 1300-1500 dollars to spend on a new gun, I need a big bore. There is a gun I have always thought was a cool idea made by the good folks at Wild West Guns www.wildwestguns.com the Alaskan Guide model. Here are the specs:
We take a Marlin 1895 Guide Gun in blue or stainless and dissemble it. The action is modified to allow use of the hot .457 Wild West Magnum while still allowing use of standard 45-70 loads along with .410 shot shells, before reassembling, a reliability tune is performed on the action for feeding, extracting and ejecting. Our patent pending Trigger Happy Kit is installed for a crisp clean 3 pound trigger pull. We install a Pachmayr Decelerator pad to help with recoil and Parkerize the rifle. You now have a true Alaskan Guide rifle.

THE ALASKAN GUIDE™
Barrel length 18.5 inches
Recoil Control Porting System
Straight style Wood Stock Cut to Your Length of Pull
Pachmayr Decelerator pad
Action tuned for reliability
WWG Trigger Happy Kit installed and set at approx. 3lbs
Safety Vented Magazine Tube
WWG Ghost Ring Rear Sight
Williams Fire Sight in red with skeletonized hood
Mil-Spec Parkerized finish or Bead Blasted Stainless
Test Fired

I want one real bad, here is my question for you guys, does anyone out there have one, do you know of anyone that does? I'd just like to hear a few first hand stories before I lay down that kind of cash. Thanks in advance.
Mattpair,
You seemed to be in agreement with the .45-70 and that is your choice. It is with me as well. I sent my .45-70 to Jim West in Anchorage not on the precept of having it garnished as such. My rear stock cracked and I had a absolute zero time finding somebody to make for me a good synthetic stock to no avail. I called most manufactures in the States and ended up calling WWG. Alaska is probably no more tougher on guns than most other places - maybe wrong but nonetheless I had the gun electroless nickel plated too. I do use the occasional glove so the larger loop lever seemed appropiate as well. He went thru the innards and cleaned up the trigger pull - very nice, replaced the extractor. installed some very good sights - like you mentioned, he made up a synthetic stock that to this day has performed in all the conditions I use it in. I reload for it as well in the .457 dimension along with the standard souped loads of the admirable .458/.459 round. Killed me some big bears and a few moose - cannot beat the gun. Walk anywhere and have some peace of mind. Slick action! It is not a bolt claw extractor CZ, 98, or a Mod.70 but you should be very pleased with the improvements of Jim Wests work. :cool:

Matt,

Bottom line, if you rreeeaaaallllllyyy want one, buy one!

There's an article in the March '05 issue of "Rifle" magazine called 'Last Alaskan Sourdough...The Legend of Sheep River'. It's about a guy named Ed Stevenson who operates as a professional hunting guide with an emphasis on bears. Over the 44 years Ed's been guiding and hunting, he's given up the .338 Win Mag, and similar cartridges, and finally given up bolt guns too. He does have a selection of Marlin 1895's, Winchester 1895's, Winchester 71's, and Win 1886's in .348 Win, .375 Scovill, 45-70, 450 Alaskan, and .411 Hawk.

Great article, you should read it.

Lobo in West Virginia

oh yea! them shotshells are probably better off in a shotgun. I'll admit I did use it once with 2 1/2 shells I believe it to be the size, to kill a porcupine in a tree once - I was out hunting for moose and had a couple shells in my pocket and it worked. I eat them - good meat. Seemed pretty weird out of a rifle - somebody here has a better report of that kind of use in a rifle.

Matt,
A lot of what you described is marketing. I'm sure there are a few guides here in the state that actually a WWG rifle, or a Marlin. But... By and large, most use bolt rifles chambered in 338 Win Mag, 375 H&H, or 458 Win Mag. The Alaska Guide rifle WWG is marketing, is just that marketing. Most guides don't use them. If you want a "true" Alaska Guide's rifle, pick up a Winchester M70 chambered for the 458 Win Mag and there you are.


Aleskka338, I have no true need for a "real alaska guide's rifle" I don't care what they call it. It suite me just fine if it was the "Ulitmate 'Bama Big Bore" Infact I kinda like that better. What I want is a Marlin 45-70 guide gun that is tricked out to the max. This gun seems to be just that. I'll probably never shoot the .457 through it, however if it will patten good I do see myself shooting 410 shells through it. Maybee some 410 slugs too. This gun will be a brush gun for whitetails, hogs, bears and maybe elk/moose if I get the chance to go out west. Thanks for the advice its nice to hear from people that have 1st hand experience.

You can shoot .410's out of the .45/70 too, so don't think you need a special chamber. Be that as it may, the dimensional differences between the two are significant and the results probably aren't worth the trouble past 10yds. I wouldn't recommend it.

What about a tricked out .45LC or .454 Casull? Rigged to fire the heavy bull it will do all you need and will recoil enough to get your undivided attention!

There was a post above about Ed Stevenson, Master Guide. Ed is one of a kind, one of the last old school guides left. He definitely deserves all the respect in the world. Not many folks like Ed left in this world of ours. He's a real, honest-to-goodness, Alaskan character and we would be much poorer without Ed.

I didn't mean to down play the effectiveness of the WWG rifle. Like their Co-Pilot takedown rifle, I'm sure it is a gem, and suited very well for taking into the far reaches of the back country as a survival firearm. I've seen a lot of posts from various forums about one guide or another using these types of rifles, or something similar. It is true you will find a wide variety of rifles and shotguns used by guides in Alaska. There are guides using 30'06's with 220 grain loads, 300 Mags up to the 505 Gibbs. However, I'd estimate that 85-90% of the guides are carrying a 338, 375, or 458. Doesn't mean something else wouldn't work. But when you give a rifle the moniker of "Alaskan Guide Rifle" as WWG has, it implies that is what they use. That just isn't the case, though I'm sure there are a few.

18.5inch barrel ,what do you have to do ware ear muffs to shoot it ?

I didn't mean to down play the effectiveness of the WWG rifle. Like their Co-Pilot takedown rifle, I'm sure it is a gem, and suited very well for taking into the far reaches of the back country as a survival firearm. I've seen a lot of posts from various forums about one guide or another using these types of rifles, or something similar. It is true you will find a wide variety of rifles and shotguns used by guides in Alaska. There are guides using 30'06's with 220 grain loads, 300 Mags up to the 505 Gibbs. However, I'd estimate that 85-90% of the guides are carrying a 338, 375, or 458. Doesn't mean something else wouldn't work. But when you give a rifle the moniker of "Alaskan Guide Rifle" as WWG has, it implies that is what they use. That just isn't the case, though I'm sure there are a few.


Man, the fact that they called it the Alaskan Guide model really bothers you. I guess if I lived where you do and all it might bother me too... but again, i really don't care what real alaskan guides are using do to the fact that i'm not an alaskan guide, or will ever face the kind of game and enviroment that a alaskan guide will face. Please reread my post, I'm just looking for a good brush that will have enough punch to handle up to elk/moose/bear-black and brown. The 45-70 seems to do this best. But like I said before this gun will see most of its time in the deep south hunting whitetail and hogs. I live in Alabama for pete's sake. I just want a really tricked out marlin and WWG seems to make a dandy. I'm starting to think about just buying the parts and doing doing all the installation on my own, The only thing is I would really like to have it parkerized... descisions descisions....

18.5inch barrel ,what do you have to do ware ear muffs to shoot it ?

I always wear hearing protection when shooting at the range. I don't while hunting but i figure the very few rounds I will fire hunting really won't amount to much compared to range time. For really loud guns try using the soft foam ear plugs with the big muffs on ontop of them. Please remember to use hearing protection when shooting.

Check Out: http://www.garrettcartridges.com/

alyeska338: I would have to agree with your gun choices. I am not a guide, but I have spent hundreds of hours in the woods here in Alaska and most of that was with a .375 H&H. Waiting back at the cabin as a back up, is my .458 win. mag.

As long as you can hit your target, the 45-70 will kill anything in North America. For me, being tall and long armed, the just Marlins dont fit me to well. Shoot what you like. Shoot what you intend.

matt, if you want another site to check out, take a peek at www.brockmansrifles.com They have some neat options, and maybe a little cheaper than wild west.

Mad Dog

matt, if you want another site to check out, take a peek at www.brockmansrifles.com They have some neat options, and maybe a little cheaper than wild west.

Mad Dog


Thankd MD i'll check that out.

Matt, I've seen a couple of Wild West Guns and they are first class and they command a high prices. If you're wanting a guide rifle (backup rifle) then look no further. They'll do the job they were built to do. In my view there is a difference between a hunter's rifle and a backup rifle for hunting dangerous game. The hunter's rifle needs to place the first shot with extreme precision. Nothing beats a scoped, big bore rifle, whether its a bolt, lever, or single. I suppose you could through semi-auto in here too. Any will do as long as the cartridge fits the game being hunted. For a backup guides rifle it should be something that can throw a lot of lead in a hurry, in tight situations, if warranted. In this case a Marlin/Winchester/Browning lever action throwing a heavy projectile from a 45/70 or something like it has no peer. I doubt many of these guns use scopes. Good iron sights are demanded. As someone has already pointed out Ed Stevenson has reached the pinnacle of his profession and his backup guns wear levers.

Matt,
If you want a "true" Alaska Guide's rifle, pick up a Winchester M70 chambered for the 458 Win Mag and there you are.Man, how true! I've been in WWG's shop twice now, and they do sell neat stuff, but most Alaskans--who REALLY hunt--either don't know about the place or kinda pooh-pooh it as gingerbread. The "Rifle" article on Ed Stevenson backs that up. Take a look at his everyday guns in one of the photos....those things have been to **** and back!

I suspect most of WWG's customers are not from Alaska. I would suspect most are attracted by WWG's marketing and looking for a unique rifle that exhibits some Alaskan attributes. Fremont is right that most Alaskans view those products differently. Their shop is interesting, though they have had problems with their walk-in customer service for the past several years. 10 years ago they treated the locals much different and better than the last time I was in. Not sure how things went wrong, but a gunsmith working for them actually sent out emails to several visitors apologizing for their front line personnel. Jim West wouldn't address the problem.

Their products and services are interesting and well done, there is no question about that. I don't think they are any better or unique than anyone else offering similar services. The 457 Mag they offered wasn't any real improvement over the 45/70. The take down Co-Pilot is a very good concept for stashing a breakdown rifle in an airplane with limited cargo room. Their Summit lightweight rifles should attract more attention, but don't for some reason.

Stevenson's guns are not from WWG, for those that are wondering. One was given to him by Dave Scovill, the other 1895 Winchesters he uses came from Fred Zeglin at Z-Hat. Ed uses 'em as walking sticks when he has too. His rifles are tools to get the job done, nothing more, nothing less.

My first comment was based on the original poster's claim that the WWG was a "true Alaskan Guide rifle". That just isn't the case.

My first comment was based on the original poster's claim that the WWG was a "true Alaskan Guide rifle". That just isn't the case.


Aleska,

Sorry If I mislead you into thinking that I was the one that said this rifle was a "true alaskan Guide Rifle" infact these words were just copied and pasted from WWG's website. I copied them because I wasn't sure if everyone would know what gun I was talking about without the product description from the website. Thankyou for your imput as well as other's in letting me know what most guides in Alaska really carry, that has been very informative. But like I have stated in some of my past reply's my needs nowhere even come close to the needs of an Alaskan guide. I'm just looking for a tricked out Marlin Big Bore to hunt non dangerous game with, (well our good friend Mr Gates might argue the fact that wild bore are very dangerous, and I would agree) This gun the, "Alaskan Guide Model" from WWG seemed to be what I was looking for and I was interested to see if anyone had had any experiences with this gun or with Wild West Guns themselves. The services that Brockman's offers looks to be along the same lines as WWG. That's another option I'll have to consider. Again, sorry if I offended you or anyone else in any way with this, I was just looking for a little info on this particular rifle, not anything about true alaskan guides.

Matt - if you want the bells and whistles, go for it!

On the other hand - gotta say, from experience, a slicked-up Marlin is as easy as just running a bunch of ammo through the Marlin you already own. :D

I scratch my head at some of the 'improvements' offered, when by far the biggest improvement possible is going to be between our ears.....

Sounds like what you are after is the same thing as the owners of custom bolt-action rifles. It's a hobby and doesn't have to make financial sense to be fun. Decide what you want, spend your money, and enjoy. I've customized some rifles that it made no sense to do so, just because I wanted to.

matt,
The WWG rifles that I've had a chance to look at were all very well made or customized. I don't think there is any doubt they will perform as stated. I think they are probably on the same level of craftsmanship as Brockman's or Dave Clay's rifles. If you are looking for a rifle that is as WWG builds, I doubt you could find one any better anywhere. Jeff Cooper is a big fan of the Co-Pilot takedown. Cooper doesn't hand out accolades very often but has raved about WWG's work and the concept.

You may also want to take a look at their proprietary actioned 500 S&W levergun.

matt,
The WWG rifles that I've had a chance to look at were all very well made or customized. I don't think there is any doubt they will perform as stated. I think they are probably on the same level of craftsmanship as Brockman's or Dave Clay's rifles. If you are looking for a rifle that is as WWG builds, I doubt you could find one any better anywhere. Jeff Cooper is a big fan of the Co-Pilot takedown. Cooper doesn't hand out accolades very often but has raved about WWG's work and the concept.

You may also want to take a look at their proprietary actioned 500 S&W levergun.


You know if it wasn't so expensive to shoot the 500 S&W, (even if you do handload its still too high), I'd love the idea of having one. I just like to shoot to much to aford it.