Marlin says their XLR line of rifles were designed to take advantage of the Hornady Leverevolution ballistic-tipped ammo. Exactly how? Is the only difference the longer barrel (24" vs 22" on the regular M1895)? The bottom line is that my friend recently bought a 1895GS Guide Gun and I'd like to get a Marlin 45-70 in stainless also, but don't really like the short 18.5" barrel on the GS. I want a distinct advantage so I can beat him on the range (he's a better shot, so I need all the advantage I can get). Will the XLR do this? :)

The extra distance between front and rear sight may help a little.

The extra barrel length of the XLR should yield extra velocity, and I suspect the Leverevolution ammo is designed with slower burning powder that will provide some velocity advantage in a longer barrel. The longer barrel will give you a velocity/flatter trajectory advantage, and as mentioned above a sight radius advantage, but not necessarily an accuracy advantage. I personally want one just because I love the way they look, and I like the stainless construction. :-)

Mike, if he shoot better than you, you will not get a rifle to make up for that. I suggest get what you want and go shoot it until you get as good or better than him.

Mike, if he shoot better than you, you will not get a rifle to make up for that. I suggest get what you want and go shoot it until you get as good or better than him.

Awww.... he ain't all that much better of a shot than I am.;) I'm just looking for any technical edge to help me gain the upper hand. I know that with open iron sights a longer barrel is inherently more accurate due to the increased distance between sights. This thread was basically to see if anyone knew for certain what improvements the XLR offers over the GS. I like the longer barrel on the XLR, but I like the straight comb walnut wood stock of the GS. Ideally, I guess I'd like to put a longer barrel on a GS. :D

Buy the XLR and the GS, then swap stocks and sell the laminated-stock GS to someone who wants a short-barreled, foul-weather gun. :-)

Buy the XLR and the GS, then swap stocks and sell the laminated-stock GS to someone who wants a short-barreled, foul-weather gun. :-)

I had already thought about doing that but that's a hunk of change going out the door. I think I'll just get the XLR and learn to like it's laminated stock. Ideally, I'd like to just order a GS from Marlin with an XLR barrel on it. But their website says absolutely "no custom work." :(

I personally like the pistol grip stocks - I wish Marlin would make again make a pistol-grip version of their 1894. Generally I prefer walnut as well, but I rather like the laminated XLR's stock. This is one rifle I'm looking to seriously acquire in the future.

Okay.... y'all convinced me. I'll just get the XLR.

There's another possibility - call Marlin and see if they have the GS stocks in their parts department. You could just buy the stocks and restock your gun (I'm sure you could find a buyer for the laminated stocks, if you wanted to sell them). I know that CZ and Winchester carry replacement stocks for at least some of their guns; I would imagine that Marlin would do the same.

I like the way that the GG balances when shooting offhand, compared to the longer barreled guns, but that is personal opinion. I shoot better with it than more accuarate, longer rifles. Technically, Marlin just added the additional barrel length for velocity gains, made it stainless and laminated the stock with a nicer recoil pad, changed the magazine follower, but the action and the rifling are the same.

If you are shooting open sights, though, going to a peep sight automatically increases your sighting radius by 6-8 inches, about the same difference as between the XLR and Guide Gun's barrel length.

Just my .02, Ryan

Okay... I changed my mind again. I'll get the GS. :D Afterall, it needs to be an even contest between me and my buddy, so I might as well get the same gun.

I thought the XLR had a pistol grip? I know my GG has a straight stock. Is it just a simple matter of changing the lever?:D

The XLR does have a pistol grip.

I'm in the opposite camp of Ryan; I really like the way the long-barreled rifle holds and handles (must be why I like my 1885's with 28 and 34 inch barrels... :-) ). As a kid I remember seeing an ad in the 1960's for a Winchester 64, which was a 94 with a pistol grip stock, half-magazine, and long barrel (24 inch, I think). I loved the look of it then and ever since I have wanted a similar rifle. Now that Marlin has the XLR out, it gives me all of that style, along with stainless construction and the 45-70 caliber that I now prefer. :-)

They may not do custom work, but they will rebarrel.

A year or so back, I had a regular 336, they woulda CBized it for $280;(38-55).

I never did follow thru tho.

I fired the 325grain factory stuff through my .450 Marlin GG and wasn't impressed at all.

It wasn't so much the lack of velocity, it was the uneven velocities. I can make rounds all day with H322 that will run 15-25 FPS spread (5 shot group).

The LeverEvolution stuff was dang close to 100FPS spread.

You cannot simply change the stock to make a Marlin straight or pistol grip, you also have to change the trigger plate and lever. Its not impossible to find someone to swap with, or you can buy the parts. Some people modify the pistol grip trigger plates and levers to straight.
Andy