[gyrhed]

If this makes you mad let me know about it. If you like the idea let me know too. I want to judge the resale value of what I will be making.

Last week I bought a 26" barreled CB. Never had any intention of using it or even keeping it for long. I got it really cheap almost NIB. I know some of you guys think the world of the way these long barrels balance but I do not. I find it comberome and slow to handle compared to even my 22" 1895. I also do not like the straight grip. However I really do like the looks of the octagonal barrel and the thinned up cowboy stocks. today I saw an 18" LTD (octagonal barrel) on gunbroker and I got to say I love the look.

What I am thinking about doing is swapping pistol grip parts from the 1895, thinning the 1895 stock and cutting the octagonal barrel and mag tube to 18".

Take the left over parts and make an 18" guide gun with straight grip. Sell the guide gun and keep the short octagonal barreled pistol gripped CB. Believe it or not I could probably sell the GG for more than I have in the CB.

 

[dag]

Instead of ruining a beautiful rifle why not just sell it and use the profits to build what you want?

 

[rhendrix]

If this makes you mad let me know about it. If you like the idea let me know too. I want to judge the resale value of what I will be making.

Last week I bought a 26" barreled CB. Never had any intention of using it or even keeping it for long. I got it really cheap almost NIB. I know some of you guys think the world of the way these long barrels balance but I do not. I find it comberome and slow to handle compared to even my 22" 1895. I also do not like the straight grip. However I really do like the looks of the octagonal barrel and the thinned up cowboy stocks. today I saw an 18" LTD (octagonal barrel) on gunbroker and I got to say I love the look.

What I am thinking about doing is swapping pistol grip parts from the 1895, thinning the 1895 stock and cutting the octagonal barrel and mag tube to 18".

Take the left over parts and make an 18" guide gun with straight grip. Sell the guide gun and keep the short octagonal barreled pistol gripped CB. Believe it or not I could probably sell the GG for more than I have in the CB.

I say it is your gun and you should be able to do what you want to with it. I think what you describe would be a great looking gun. I too would like to have a short barrel, pistol grip, octagon barrelled 45-70.

 

[Seagoing]

If I had those same 2 rifles I would do very much as you describe.
My difference would be 20 instead of 18 inches.

I wish Marlin would give us these kinds of choices, even if there were a fee.
Walnut or laminate,
blue or stainless,
pistol grip or straight,
round or octagon barrel,
several barrel lengths,
barrel band or forearm cap,
full-length or half magazine tube.

If you didn't like the one in the display rack, you could order up one made to your spec.
I bet they would get a WHOLE lot of new orders.

 

[Eli Chaps]

I love the look and feel of straight-gripped Marlins but I know I shoot pistol-gripped better. I was all set to do a trade with a fella and convert my 1895G to PG but my oldest basically begged me not to as she likes it the way it is. She is getting back into shooting and loves that gun so I'll leave it as is. But point being, if I shot my CB more than I do now, I would consider converting it as well. I believe in making a gun work for you.

Have a look at Phil's "Urban Cowboy". Straight gripped but a sweet carbine none the less. Lots of folks would cringe at hacking on a CB but like I said, make it work for you. It's just metal and wood. ;D

http://www.marlinowners.com/forums/index.php/topic,79319.0.html

 

[Gunjunkie]

It's your dime I wouldn't cut or chop the CB personally you can sell it and like the others said find a 45/70 carbine and have it re barreled if you like .. they are out their..

 

[Corbi]

Those are not rare or collectable rifles. I say customize it if you want to.

I would go with 20".

Corbi

 

[MOUNTAIN WILLIAM]

I'm building a stainless one with a 16" octagonal barrel. I say do it, it's your gun, make it fit the way you want it to. Now if only the STP came with an octagon barrel. :

 

[lever addict]

Bring it over. I have a new blade on the hack saw! I have bought new guns and made them the way I want! The old Marlin is gone and the new...well i'd make my own no problem! Go for it! ;D

 

[Gaterskiner]

I would cut it down in A heartbeat. I would keep the straight stock though.

 

[brianscott12]

I personally wouldn't do it to my own but you paid fir it so what ever suits ya.

 

[gyrhed]

WOW I expected more No and less Yes.

I did basically the same with my 94 CB when I put the PG stock and lower tang on it because I really do shoot a pistol grip so much beter than a straight.

Its funny I can out shoot my son with everything we have from any position and with any sights except for the straight stocked 44 mag and the winny 30-30. With those two guns off hand he regularly outshoots me. One has a v notch and one has a williams peep.

I may put it together this weekend but make no cuts to get an idea.

 

[LVRFAN]

Cut it to 20 inches.

 

[gyrhed]

Lot of people say 20" would be better but this LTDIII that is on gun broker right now is what got me thinking about this in the first place. I really didn't intend to keep this CB until I saw how cute the octagonal barrel looks when it is short nad the forearm is skinnied up.

 

[six_gunz]

If this makes you mad let me know about it. If you like the idea let me know too.

Whatever trips your trigger, it's your rifle!

I agree with the other poster.......the cowboys aren't that rare and collectable.....there were only 1000 of the LTD III's made though....
BTW, they have a 18.5" barrel.

 

[MattPair]

CUT IT UP!!! I'm in the middle of my LTDIII build myself. Only mine will be with a round 18.5"barrel, wish it was octagon!