Marlin 1895 .45-70 Government
Model: 70460
Marlin 1895 .45-70 Government
Model: 70460
Full Specifications
About This Firearm
The Marlin 1895 is the traditional .45-70 lever rifle: 22-inch blued barrel, American black walnut stock, and a 5-round tube. At 7.5 lbs and 40.5 inches overall, it's longer than the SBL but still a manageable woods rifle. The .45-70 Government in this action will handle factory deer loads on the low end and full-power 405-grain bear loads on the high end — and the 22-inch barrel recovers more velocity than shorter alternatives, which matters at the cartridge's outer hunting range of 150 yards.
Ruger acquired Marlin out of Remington's 2020 bankruptcy and restarted production in Mayodan, North Carolina. Early Ruger-Marlin rifles (2021-2022) had documented fit-and-finish inconsistency; 2023+ production is consistently well-finished per owner reviews. Inspecting your specific rifle before accepting it from the dealer remains sound practice. The cold hammer-forged barrel specification is a genuine manufacturing improvement over late-Remington production.
The 22-inch barrel has a practical upside at the range: reviewers note the extra length gives .45-70 loads a noticeably softer push compared to the sharper impulse from 18-19 inch alternatives, even though the heavier load still means the buttpad does real work. The Marlin 1895 SBL is the better fit for wet weather or suppressed shooting; the Henry Side Gate .45-70 is the alternative if you want a shorter overall package with a different loading system.
Best For
Strengths & Limitations
- Cold hammer-forged barrel is a manufacturing step up from the Remington-era production it replaced. Reviews of 2023+ rifles consistently note improved barrel quality over the transition-era guns.
- American black walnut and deep blued finish. For a buyer who values traditional aesthetics, no current .45-70 lever rifle at this price point matches the classic look of a well-finished 1895.
- The 22-inch barrel is the longest in the current Marlin 1895 lineup, which gives .45-70 factory loads the most time to accelerate before leaving the muzzle.
- Early Ruger-Marlin production (2021-2022) had documented QC inconsistency. Current production is generally well-regarded, but inspecting fit and finish at the dealer before purchase remains worthwhile.
- No threaded barrel and no cross-bolt safety by default — just a hammer block. Hunters who want a tang or cross-bolt safety for safe unloading in the field will need to check the specific model configuration carefully.
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Frequently Asked Questions
I heard early Ruger-Marlin 1895s had quality problems. Is that still true?
It was true for some 2021-2022 production rifles, particularly early transition guns. Common complaints at that time included rough bolt work, visible wood-to-metal fit gaps, and heavy trigger pulls. Ruger publicly acknowledged the ramp-up issues and added tooling and inspection steps. By 2023, the consensus on owner forums and in published reviews shifted to positive for current production — most buyers report clean, tight rifles. If you're concerned, buy from a dealer who lets you inspect before purchase, and specifically check the bolt face, wood-to-metal fit at the receiver, and that the action cycles smoothly before money changes hands.
What's the practical difference between the Marlin 1895 and the 1895 SBL?
The standard 1895 has a 22-inch barrel, walnut stock, and blued finish — traditional aesthetics at a lower street price around $1,400. The SBL has a 19.1-inch barrel, gray laminate stock, full stainless steel, ghost ring sights, and a threaded barrel. The SBL is the better choice for wet-weather hunting or anyone who wants suppressor capability. The standard 1895 is the better choice if you want traditional good looks and the velocity advantage of the longer barrel.
