Marlin 1895CB Questions

[DeadEye]

Greetings,
I have purchased a new Marlin and have some comments and questions;

The gun is has a very good fit and finish. The wood has nice grain and seems to be a satin finish. It came with a leather lace up butt stock pad (kicker killer?)

It also has a Marbles rear tang sight and a front globe sight with a bubble level. I also have several inserts for this sight as well, though I am not sure of its make.

The gun was also tuned as well as the trigger and is very smooth.

Cant wait to shoot! I do have a few questions though...

1) The serial number begans with 99 so does this mean it was made in 1999?

2) I have no experience with a rear tang mounted peep sight and wonder what hand placement you find most usable. Do you place you hand more to the side, in front of the sight or behind?

3) In its former life it was used for cowboy action shooting. I will be using it for hunting boars and deer. What favoriate factory loads do you all like?

I will try the handloads later.

[DeadEye]

Suppose I am talking to my self! Hello?

[Gurn]

I think your right 99 means 1999

[Sure-Shot]

2001, if you look in the reference section toward the bottom of the list of forums you will find a fair amount of information on Marlins that 44-40 Wiley did. There are a lot of people with information here that are happy to share, but you may have to wait a day or to as they aren't on everyday or on every forum when they are on. So welcomb aboard Deadeye.

[GEOFF]

Deadeye,

I also just got a new 1895 Cowboy and I really like it so far. Keep me posted about what you find you like in the way of loads. I'm starting to research loads for mine but mine will attempt to duplicate the original black powder velocities or even less. I'm not trying to make a magnum out of mine, I have a .375 H&H for that. It is just so fun to launch a big heavy bullet at fairly low velocity.

Some other guy can correct me if I'm wrong but I am 99% sure you take 100 and subtract the 99 in your serial number and that means your rifle was made in 2001

I have a Marbles coming for mine. I think you'll like yours too but don't let your eye get too close under recoil. Elmer Keith wrote about the wife of a fairly famous gun writer or some such getting her eye put out by a Savage 99 in a lighter recoiling cartridge by far that a .45-70. So be careful.

Keep us posted on how well you like your rifle. Hold it how ever is comfortable regarding the tang sight. I have a Win. 94 and I wrap my thumb around behind the tang sight on that rifle. On my old Marlin 1881 when I shoot it I place my thumb parellel with the rifle along side the hammer.

Geoff

[DeadEye]

Thanks guys. It does look like the date of manufacture is 2001.

It seems many of you shooting 45-70 for hunting seem to use federal and pmc. Though someone has mentioned remingtion for best accuracy.

I have some concerns over hand placement with the tang mounted sight and recoil, though I guess its something I will need to get use to.

[Sure-Shot]

One thing about recoil. If you use any of the pmc for all rifles it is loaded down to be safe in the old trapdoors and has very little kick. However, you can get some loads that are full horse and they will let you know it. I put a pacmeyer decelerator pad on my 450 GG and it is now a pleasure to shoot even with the hotter loads. Was money well spent.