I started to post this in the pistol grip / straight grip post but decided I didn't need to get involved in the perceived recoil versus newton's law debate. My question has to do with only one issue in relation to recoil with my guide gun. When working up loads and firing from the bench the one and only thing that gets my attention is the lever slamming into my second finger. After a few rounds it starts to be a real pain. Does the pistol grip curved lever provide any relief to this? I have been thinking of doing the conversion to pistol grip but if it doesn't help why bother with the expense. This is not an issue when hunting as the only thing thing I pay attention to is the animal and it's reaction to the hammer blow it has just experienced. Thanks for any POSITIVE feedback provided on this before hand. If you feel the need to name call or belittle someones comment keep it to yourself.

Thanks,
BoomSplat

I have an 1895 (pistol grip style) and I like it - some folks have reported that under recoil their lever pops open slightly with the straight grip stock due to it hitting their fingers. This hasn't happened to me yet with any of my loads. I have also used a straight stocked 336 in 35 Remington in the past, and under certain conditions I could get my finger jammed if I didn't keep a grip on the stock.

I think that the pistol grip stock will have a slightly different drop/comb height than what you have, so you have to consider the possibility of making other ergonomic adjustments if you've got your guide gun adjusted to suit you as it is.

With my 1895GS... I have fairly big hands and I have to shoot with my little finger behind the lever, there is just not enough room for three fingers inside, or you can just grasp the outside of the lever loop. If I try to shoot with three fingers inside, my second finger definatly gets beat up. If I don't grip the stock/lever hard enough, yes the lever will pop open about 2 inches. From the offhand position, I really don't have any of those problems tho.
Andy

I have both straight grip 45/70 and pistol grip 444. I can not tell any difference in the 2 at recoil. It does not bother my finger.

I put a large loop lever on my guide gun 45-70 for a more comfortable fit for my large hands and wrapped it with a strip of soft buckskin for the recoil .

Thanks for the feedback on this, guys. I haven't had any problems with the lever popping open as I keep a pretty good grip on the gun. I'm only 5'10" and don't have large hand by glove standards but the lever is kind of close getting three fingers inside. I shot a friends 30-30 Marlin that had the pistol grip years ago and don't remember coming away from it with sore fingers. That is what got me thinking about swapping out the stock and lever for the pistol grip. Of course it didn't fling 350 - 400 grain bullets 1900 fps either. Thanks again and hope to get some more opinions on this.

Boom

I have an 1895GS and have experienced the same phenomenon, beating up the middle knuckle on my middle finger... from the bench. When shooting freehand this is not an issue, as my whole upper body rides with the recoil and my hand stays in place on the rifle; I have also slugged myself in the nose from the bench due to this recoil and position. My solution has been to simply place less of my hand/fingers in the grip while bench shooting, sliding my hand back as far in the grip as possible, and my knuckle takes less of a beating.

Boomsplat, mine is a full size 1895 and it will still beat you up from the bench, it takes a toll on the fingers and my cheek bone always gets smacked!
I have a remedy for this, just raise the rifle rest up untill you are sitting more upright and most of those problems will go away. This will let your hand drop into a more natural position in the lever and lessen the contact with your knuckles. It works for me, Glenn

I have skinny fingers and all 4 fit inside the loop with room to spare. I never have any issues with either style, and I like both styles.

IMO the pistol grip is more natural feeling and more comfortable. The straight wrist looks more traditional I suppose.

FWIW I have the striaght stock 450M, very large hands, with all in the lever, my knuckle gets bruised so and I take my second finger and stick it out straight :eek:, NO-Not that way! I get it out of the lever and the other TWO have enough room in the lever. have no issues cycling the rifle. this works well for me with gloves on also. I don't have to do this with my 44mag. but I end up doing it sometimes with it also.

I have skinny fingers and all 4 fit inside the loop with room to spare. I never have any issues with either style, and I like both styles.

IMO the pistol grip is more natural feeling and more comfortable. The straight wrist looks more traditional I suppose.


FWIW I have the striaght stock 450M, very large hands, with all in the lever, my knuckle gets bruised so and I take my second finger and stick it out straight :eek:, NO-Not that way! I get it out of the lever and the other 3 have enough room in the lever. have no issues cycling the rifle. this works well for me with gloves on also. I don't have to do this with my 44mag. but I end up doing it sometimes with it also.

John Newman used slip hammers on his Single Action Colts, but I've never heard of their use on marlin rifles. Or do you? A thumb, a trigger finger, and four in the loop? No wonder you're battering your knuckle!

How many other six-fingered guys are there on the board? And where are you from?

I know everything's relative in West Virginia, but. . .

Grins,

The Old Guy

TOG, good catch on that. I'll edit to read just two fingers in the loop!
GS

Thanks for the help on this so far. Hope to get some more comments, keep it coming.

Boom

I consider the entire lever to be the loop. I can put all 4 of my fingers inside the rear portion of the loop with plenty of room to spare. I never have any problems with sore fingers.

i think the straight stock looks better but both my rifles are pistol grip(you get whats avaliable or affordable) however ive heard that the pistol grip stocksa handle heavy recoil better, ive heard of a couple of rifle stocks breaking on the straight stock guns but ive never seen one thats broke

I broke the straight stock on my first 1970s era 1895 shooting Marlin level loads from the Hornady manual..

I keep all my fingers outside the loop when shooting off the bench with my straight grip rifles.

Perceived recoil is different for everyone. I can load a gun and have two people shoot it and get different perceptions of the recoil. I am not recoil sensitive, so what I think is not bad recoil, is not what others might think.

I never ask anyone how the recoil was on a certain gun, I just go out and experience it for myself. There is nothing like actually doing it and learning from actual hands on experience. You eliminate all guessing.

As far as my finger getting whacked by the lever, sure it has happened to me, the more recoil the harder you get whacked. You cannot compare the recoil of a 30-30 to a 45-70. Just my experience.

i dislike the recoil from my 30-30 more than that of my .444 with a max load of h-322 pushing 300 grain xtp bullets the big bore seems to push more and i dont have to fight the fli8nch as much. not that the little guy realy kicks but its more of a sharp whack and reflexes kinda get in the way

Like andy, I leave my little finger out of the lever.

This gives me a better feel for the trigger.

Sore shoulder, but no sore knuckle.

Someone needs to raise the benches at my range.

I have both straight grip 45/70 and pistol grip 444. I can not tell any difference in the 2 at recoil. It does not bother my finger.


I have both and I cannot tell any difference, they both hurt. At the bench I shoot with the second finger outside the loop. When hunting I shoot with all three inside the loop because the few shots are not an issue whereas at the bench 20 shots or so and I am in pain.


.

You can alter your lever to give you about 1/4 inch or more room inside the loop by grinding the fwd portion toward the trigger. Taking extra room from the top and bottom of the fwd portion. I would just for the heck of it, put something like lipstick to transfer the area that is hitting you to your finger to give you an idea what part is actually hitting you.