I don't have an 18 inch barrel on mine, but the shorter barrel will most likely make the recoil heavier and the muzzleblast greater. However, several of the guys have shortened their rifles and they love them. Let us know how this project goes!

Ron

 

regarding re crowning, would a 45 degree crown be the way to go ?

 

It's hard to go wrong with any crown other than not to do one. 45 is fine. My advice is if your going to cut it then really cut it short. 16" is minimum to be legal in the USA. So why not go 16.5"? Oh and yea, it will have a touch more recoil and more blast but it will be incredibly handy. Consider cutting 1" off the butt stock.

Real Carbines are awesome. It's like going from a full sized sedan to a mustang or vette. If you are considering it you won't be disappointed.

 

You didn't say it explicitly in your post, but it sounds like you just don't want anything with the safety? Why don't you just buy a nice 1895G JM stamped and remove and plug the safety?

 

My thoughts exactly! NC Hunter.

 

I like mikewoods idea of cutting it down to 16.5"... This is the most fun caliber to shoot in my humble opinion. Tested a 45-70 at the range about a month ago and fell in love instantly (not with the rifle, it was a rossi, but with the caliber). Hope to find one, which is not 100% perfect, get a good deal, cut it and have some fun... Plus more than likely my wife won't like to shoot it, even though she's starting to look a little to close at my slug queen, the remington 870 wingmaster, lol.

When I see a cross bolt safety, reminds me of this image

 

Pretty sure there is a sweet cut down JM stamped rifled offered for trade in the trade section right now ....

 

I guess I'm on the other side of the fence here?, I had to ORDER an 1895 because ANY AND ALL! of them to be found were indeed guide guns!??, I also wanted the pistol grip stock too.

 

959, I did what you are thinking about. I had my 1895 XLR with the 24 inch barrel cut to 18.5 inches. Sent it to Grizzly and had him do a little action and loading gate work at the same time. The gun as it was originally was too heavy and too long. It seldom left my safe. I longed for the 450 Guide Gun I had sold earlier, not for the caliber but for the size of the gun.

The cut down gun is nothing short of fantastic. What I have is a stainless steel guide gun with a pistol grip. The gun simply fits me much better than the original. It is lighter than it was with the long barrel. That long barrel has a lot of leverage to use against you. My guns shoots at least as good as before the chop job. Maybe there is an increase recoil and in muzzle blast, but I have not noticed it. I think it probably is a little heaver than the guide gun, but that is a positive in my book. Seems to balance better and probably tames recoil better over a guide gun. Overall I have no regrets what so ever, except that maybe I should have had it done sooner.

Even better, after I played around with it awhile after the cut job I removed the scope and now use a ghost ring with an ivory front bead. Such a handy rifle with a scope just did not make sense. I am 67 next month and pretty much crippled up with injuries, but I can hit a beer can at 75 yards with the ghost ring and probably farther out than that. That is my brush gun anyway so that is enough. I have other rifles with scopes if I want to reach out a ways.

 

Also had a XLR cut. Mine has a 20" barrel. Shoots fine, Dave

 

Thanks Gladesman, I needed some confirmation on my crazy thinking from a seasoned marlin owner, thank you. If Marlin would ever dump Remington and their cross bolt safety, produce a stainless 16" 45-70 walnut stock guide gun, they could ask any amount and people would wait in line for them with a smile on their faces ....:marchmellow:

 

Someone please tell me what advantage you have with an 18" barrel over a 22" barrel? I just can't see one unless it's just personal preferance.

 

first advantage, in thick brush and scrub, won't catch on things as easily. second advantage theoretically, quicker target aquisition. third lighter for long term carrying when out moving through brush etc when actively hunting versus sitting in a stand or blind.:biggrin:

 

I have an 1895 that has been cut back to 18"s and I can't say enough good about it. Compared to my full length Cowboy it is lighter and handier to maneuver in and out of blinds, treestands, vehicles, boats, etc., and balances well for carry in a backpack scabbard. There may or may not be more recoil than with the long barrel version, but felt recoil actually seems less to me, as the push is more directly back, with less muzzle flip. Accuracy is as good or better as well, again probably due to less jump and less barrel whip. here's a couple pics.

 

I have an 1895 STBL with the 181/2 barrel, full length mag. and pistol grip. It has become my favorite rifle for deer/bear here in VA since buying it two years ago. It is extremely accurate and works great.
Use it with a Leupold 2x7 glass on most days, but it hunting a really thick area or sometimes just for fun, I switch to a Burris FastFire II. Great little sight. Makes the 45/70 every handy and light. They interchange without changing POI.

 

I've cut to preference so have no problems with doing so. But if the CBS is your only complaint, why not add a safety delete kit instead? That would be the fastest and cheapest option to your goal.

 

I just bought a ported guide, so no cutting necessary.

 

959 the guidegun looks good. Hope you enjoy it. Dave

 

You don't loose anything noticeable shortening the barrel.

 

You can still cut it to 16 1/2":flute:

 

Hey Czechdogg... I have one of those too... Czech out this Brockmans .35 Rem 336 Trapper I bought from T-Roy last year... I don't know what you're doing to your fps when you go this short, but she's a pleasure to handle in the woods, and still a great shooter. I took a couple nice fat does with her last fall.

 

I have a 1895 that I had cut to 16 1/4 for a little fudge factor and love it toped it off with a wwg ghost ring

 

Cut it. I'm with all the guys saying go as short as you can. 16 1/4 - 16.5" seems like the ticket. I love my 16".

 

Had my full size and loved it. It hasn't left the safe since the Guide Guf came home. It's just so much handier.