You have acquired a pre-Remington 1895 Cowboy and if you wish to maintain top value I would discourage you from chopping the barrel. The 26 bbl provides heft which assists a steadier off-hand hold and provides a longer and therefore superior sighting radius. Another advantage with the longer barrel and provided the chamber has sufficient throat, you may have the opportunity to experiment with shallower seating depths for various bullet weights and obtain consequentially better ballistics if you are so inclined to pursue.

All in all, you have done well and a good, pre-Rem Cowboy is much sought after where I come from. Good luck, welcome to MO and please do let us know how you get on and what you end up doing with 1895 Cowboy.

 

Welcome Darrel to the forum. I have an 1895gs and a 444xlr one has a 18 1/2 barrel and the other 24. I would like to have a CB with the 26 inch barrel, and your right I would never cut down the barrel of a nice CB. IMHO I prefer the 18 1/2 GS, you lose a bit of velocity, and some accuracy I suspect, but not enough to worry about plus it's a very handy lenght in the woods. The extra length of your barrel probably won't be a problem for plicking , targets or hunting once you get used to it, so get out and have some fun, besides you'll want to get another one in a different configuration I promise you! Nice gun by the way. Some pics would be nice.
JB

 

Welcome to MO

Our first and only rule (that matters) is that you must post pictures.

Barrel length for 45-70 is a hotly contested subject. I have an 1895 SS with the 22" barrel that is just fine out to 250 yds with factory sights. But I have also owned and shot longer single shot 45-70 with as long as a 32" barrel. The 45-70 can go a long, long way...how long is dependent on the sights.

If you're hunting a 22" barrel is good to maybe 300 yds with proper sights. The Cowboy 26" can reach out that beyond that but a good tang/receiver sight will help. Beyind that you need much different better sights.

Here are my current 45-70s. The RB has sights that are worth more than the rifle itself. The Trapdoor is a cut-down rifle (32 to 22") with Buffington sight and Lyman 17 front globe.

BTW: Don't cut the CB. If you want a shorter barrel sell the CB and buy what you want.

DD

 

Thanks for help everyone. I will leave it alone, and search for a Pre-Remington 1895 SBL (I understand they made some pre 2010 ?)

I will try to post pic after wife goes to bed (I love gun porn). The cowboy is pristine. I cannot find evidence that it was fired! owners manual, no box. priced about right @ $650.

 

That CB was a steal!!!

DD

 

You did get a good deal being I cant find one. The price for one will keep going up I wouldnt cut it . Not when ther are short 45-70s out there to be found. I have a 22" one the Im very fond of. And yes we need pictures.

 

Thanks, glad to hear I got a good value. Action is gritty new. Have not shot it yet (Blizzards here). Will have pics late tonight.

I still believe that if you cut one of these heavy octagon barrels back to 20.75" - 22" you would improve harmonics (and accuracy), much like these sniper schools are doing chopping Rem 700, bull barreled .308's to 18" and getting real tack drivers in a handy sized rifle. But the fact that I suspect it to be morally wrong to chop a cowboy, and since I know it would greatly decrease it's value, I will not attempt it. If Remington starts producing CB's, I hope someone will try it.

 

It's a tough one, yes it'd be shame to cut it. But if you want a shorter, octagon barrel 45-70 Marlin without paying huge prices what can you do - luck out on a 20" or 24" LTD? And what are the chances of that? A much rarer and more expensive gun. Yes there are heaps of shorter barrel 1895s but they have round barrels, fat forends and some have PG. 26" barrel is a lot and IMO ballistically unnecessary, but it gives a great sight radius and balance for longer shots. If I wanted a more handle-able 1895 and owned a 26" CB I'd seriously consider getting it chopped. Or if I was really worried I guess I could get a 20" octogan barrel from Green Mountain or similar, save the JM barrel and swap it out.

 

It's a tough one, yes it'd be shame to cut it. ... If I wanted a more handle-able 1895 and owned a 26" CB I'd seriously consider getting it chopped. Or if I was really worried I guess I could get a 20" octogan barrel from Green Mountain or similar, save the JM barrel and swap it out.

Thanks sidewinder. But I guess I've made up my mind not to chop it and leave it as is. Would be kinda like painting eye shadow and lipstick on the Mona Lisa. Shame, It's kinda "pearls before swine" with me. The 1895 SBL puts the whip cream in my Irish coffee. Probably something to do with shinny objects and simple minds. But would fit my wet, brush rifle hunting style here in Midwest.

Had similar dilemma several years ago, when I found a Winchester '94 .22 WMR, deluxe in pristine condition for (don't tell anyone) $250. Again, pearl before swine. I couldn't take this beautiful rifle out hunting. Traded to my friend who had the sister rifle in .22 S, L, LR. Now he has beautiful Winchester .22 WMR gathering dust in his gun cabinet with it's sister, and I have a new Henry .22 WMR, octagon that I take out plinking and **** hunting. A win/win. I'll just keep looking for that SBL.

 

DANG Darrel DON'T cut that CB! BTW welcome to the MO from the motor city! you got a STEAL! up here its 1k minimum for any that i have seen at shows. i got my LTD II with the 24" octagon barrel and pistol grip stock for $900 and was told then i got a decent deal. you cut it you lose... big time! you want a shorter octagon get a LTD III 18.5" octagon barrel. check on gunbroker and a couple other sites to get an idea what it is worth. who knows, someone might want to trade you for that CB:flute:. what year is it? first couple digits of serial subtracted from 100 eg 98xxxxxx 100 -98 = 2002; 13xxxxxx 100 - 13 = 1987.:tee:

 

DANG Darrel DON'T cut that CB! ... what year is it?

Yeah Deadeye, Rest easy, I'm not gonna chop her. She's a 2009. but no outward signs that Ilion got their hands on her. Rifling crisp, haven't checked headspace yet.

 

Here are pics as promised

Mama, don't let your Marlins grow up to be cowboys. Fit, finish, machining look good. No Remlin gremlins (eg. poor stock/receiver fit, sights canted, etc.).

 

wheeew!(wipes sweat off brow) was getting worried lol! glad to hear she's going to stay whole and not get amputated!sweet pics! i'm getting jealous already lol.:biggrin: nice sheath for the SOG axe, a fitting companion to the CB, good steel to go with good steel!:congrats:

 

nice sheath for the SOG axe, a fitting companion to the CB, good steel to go with good steel!:congrats:

Thanks GrondHamar. I plan on making matching leather butt pad/Butt stock cover, with dense cell foam inlay for the cowboy. If it turns out well I'll post a pick. Have a side of leather that is just 1/4" short, dang it! Have you seen price of leather side lately? Whoa!

 

She's a beauty. Glad you're not cutting her. You got a steal brother. Let us know how she shoots.

 

congrats on a great marlin glad your not going to chop her go out and find a good guide gun if you want a short barrel can not have to many marlins