Chance to buy a "looks new" Marlin 1895

[drift_g35]

I know I just asked you all what I should buy, and this wasn't on the list, but I have a chance to buy a Marlin 1895 45-70. Basically a buddy who bought it for $400 to help a friend out who needed money. But he doesn't want it. Said he'd sell it to me for $500. Do I do it? I don't know very much about them other than they can take down just about anything closer than 100 yards.

[Skully]

First off, maybe you should not buy it based off the fact that he does NOT sound like a "Buddy," if he bought it for $400 and offered to sell it to you for $500.


Am I the only one that finds that odd? [Coffee]


It depends on what the Marlin 1895 looks like, most run $500 - $700 new. They are a good gun and the 45-70 is a big kicker, good camping rifle. I had one I inherited but stupidly sold it cause I was not big into lever action, now I regret it.

[Colorado_Outback]

Do it. 45-70 is fun.

[drift_g35]

First off, maybe you should not buy it based off the fact that he does NOT sound like a "Buddy," if he bought it for $400 and offered to sell it to you for $500.


Am I the only one that finds that odd? [Coffee]


It depends on what the Marlin 1895 looks like, most run $500 - $700 new. They are a good gun and the 45-70 is a big kicker, good camping rifle. I had one I inherited but stupidly sold it cause I was not big into lever action, now I regret it.

Let me rephrase that. I offered $500 because I know he wont get rid of it for $400 or $450, he'd rather keep it for that. $500 is a good enough profit for him.

And this thing literally looks brand new. Not a scratch or anything. Looks just like this.
http://www.marlinfirearms.com/images/bigbore/zoom_1895G.jpg

[Skully]

Let me rephrase that. I offered $500 because I know he wont get rid of it for $400 or $450, he'd rather keep it for that. $500 is a good enough profit for him.

And this thing literally looks brand new. Not a scratch or anything. Looks just like this.


If it is your fault for the $100 profit then it is your bed, you lay in it. :)

(Just giving you grief.)

Yes they are a good gun, if it looks like new then better the deal. Again 45-70 is pretty potent, small and light, a good camping, truck, backpacking rifle, take down a bear if needed.

[drift_g35]

Am I looking at an avg of $1.50 a round? Thats all I am finding online but some of these sites have russian 223 for $.90 a round.

[streetglideok]

Looks like its a guide gun. I have one of those in stainless, and a regular 22" barrel 1895. You can buy regular ammo for them that is loaded pretty weak. You can also load it pretty damn warm, and they kick like hell. Easily the nastiest kicking gun in my closet, and its in the company of a 300RUM sporter weight rifle, and a 375H&H, lol. My hunting loads are pretty warm but not max. I recently bought some trailboss powder to load up some light plinking loads. I'll load some 405gr slugs with that for playing. They are a cool gun, lot of history with the caliber. When loaded right they will bring down anything in north America. If it is a New Haven made gun, they tend to be more desirable than the Remington made models. Check prices of new, I don't think you're getting hurt too bad at that price if it's in great shape.

[battle_sight_zero]

Looks like its a guide gun. I have one of those in stainless, and a regular 22" barrel 1895. You can buy regular ammo for them that is loaded pretty weak. You can also load it pretty damn warm, and they kick like hell. Easily the nastiest kicking gun in my closet, and its in the company of a 300RUM sporter weight rifle, and a 375H&H, lol. My hunting loads are pretty warm but not max. I recently bought some trailboss powder to load up some light plinking loads. I'll load some 405gr slugs with that for playing. They are a cool gun, lot of history with the caliber. When loaded right they will bring down anything in north America. If it is a New Haven made gun, they tend to be more desirable than the Remington made models. Check prices of new, I don't think you're getting hurt too bad at that price if it's in great shape.

I have the Cowboy version, been offered $1100 for it or its brother the 44mag. As stated there is a demand for the New Haven rifles because of the Remington acquisition. I take it off his hands for that price and it seems quite fair. I wish I had bought a few more of the Marlins over the years.

[Great-Kazoo]

I know I just asked you all what I should buy, and this wasn't on the list, but I have a chance to buy a Marlin 1895 45-70. Basically a buddy who bought it for $400 to help a friend out who needed money. But he doesn't want it. Said he'd sell it to me for $500. Do I do it? I don't know very much about them other than they can take down just about anything closer than 100 yards.

If he really needs the money throw him $350. That will bring him back to the $400 he paid for it, real quick. Ammo isn't cheap, as you're finding out. if you reload, how's the powder / component availability?

[SouthPaw]

I say go for it. My Dad had a beautiful stainless guide gun and they are a blast to shoot. Like others have stated ammo isn't cheap but it's not something you go shooting everyday.

[Bailey Guns]

$500's a good price, regardless of what he paid for it. Contrary to what a few others have said, I have an 1895G (like the one in the photo) and the recoil is noticeable, but not bad. Less than a 12ga IMO, with factory ammo. If it's ported it's one of the earlier guns and is worth a good deal more than the $500 your friend is asking.

If you like lever guns, go for it. These are really nice rifles. I'm still looking for another 1895M...same gun in .450Marlin. Now THAT's a kicker.

[BPTactical]

Get it.
Then we toss on a big loop lever, long mag tube, WWG trigger, Kick-Ez buttpad and slick up the action.
Then you have "Thumper".

[streetglideok]

.450Marlin. Now THAT's a kicker If you load the 45/70 warm, you match and exceed the 450 marlin load. That's where my hunting loads are. Standard loads are mild, hence I bought trailboss. Components aren't too hard to find actually.

[Bailey Guns]

Yeah, I don't reload so all I have to compare are factory loads. I've heard Buffalo Bore loads some pretty potent .45-70 stuff.

[drift_g35]

Yeah, I don't reload so all I have to compare are factory loads. I've heard Buffalo Bore loads some pretty potent .45-70 stuff.

They better be a $2+ a round.

[laportecharlie]

If it is a New Haven gun, buy it. If it's Remington, I would pass unless you can get it for $400.00 or less. I had a 1st year production ported guide gun . When I decided to sell it I did a bit of research on the Marlin owners forum to get a feel for pricing. The general consensus was the Remington guns (at least the early ones) were junk. They had so many returns that they stopped production for a while until they got them sorted out. There won't be any more New Haven made Marlins so they can only go up in value.

[encorehunter]

I have the gun in question, along with the 22", 24" and 26" versions. The guide gun you are looking at is the one I use the most for hunting. It is a great carrying gun, especially for elk in thick timber. I don't suggest using the 300 gn JHPs remington for anything other the whitetail or pronghorn. I took a bear a few years back at around 10 yards, and only one was a pass through out of 4 shots. I have target shot with it out to 400 yards, but wouldn't feel comfortable on an animal past 150 with the iron sights.
The price it fair, and you don't have to pay tax, but you do have the back ground check. It is more than likely a lot cheaper than the ones on GB.

[centrarchidae]

I'd take it at $400, easily.

At $500, I'd have to think really hard about whether any of my travel or hunting plans for the next few years involved a chance of big ill-tempered critters at close quarters.

I'm a recoil wuss, and either porting or a limbsaver would be a big deal for me.

[Jer]

First off, maybe you should not buy it based off the fact that he does NOT sound like a "Buddy," if he bought it for $400 and offered to sell it to you for $500.


Am I the only one that finds that odd? [Coffee]


It depends on what the Marlin 1895 looks like, most run $500 - $700 new. They are a good gun and the 45-70 is a big kicker, good camping rifle. I had one I inherited but stupidly sold it cause I was not big into lever action, now I regret it.
So if he got it free as a gift or heirloom should he be forced to give it to you for free as well? Just curious how far this 'good friend' thing goes. What if he paid MORE than market value, should you... as a good friend... be forced to pay over market value to bail your friend out of a bad deal he made? I never understood why some got their jimmies ruffled over what the previous owner paid. Starting to sound an awful lot more like socialism than capitalism.

[meatman]

If it is a New Haven gun, buy it. If it's Remington, I would pass unless you can get it for $400.00 or less. I had a 1st year production ported guide gun . When I decided to sell it I did a bit of research on the Marlin owners forum to get a feel for pricing. The general consensus was the Remington guns (at least the early ones) were junk. They had so many returns that they stopped production for a while until they got them sorted out. There won't be any more New Haven made Marlins so they can only go up in value.


It'll have "JM" stamped on the barrel if it's a pre-Remington.

I had one a couple years ago, sold it, now I want it back... Get it.

[bnred9]

Like other have stated if a New Haven gun buy NOW. I would pass on the newer Remington rifles.

[streetglideok]

Oddly enough, my "remlin" gun, the 1895 guidegun that Remington made, actually feeds better than the other one I have that was made in New Haven. I've only taken my 1895GS out once, with handloads of H322, WLR primers, and 405 cast bullets. Beat the holy snot out of me, couldn't really tell on accuracy, as a result. Reloder 7 is a favorite for the 45/70, and I've had decent accuracy with it. I'll try the trailboss next time, lil less than factory load power. My other gun, I have the XS ghost ring peep sights, it shoots decent.

[wctriumph]

I had a Marlin 1895 Cowboy in .45-70. Kicked pretty hard but was accurate and I loved the look and feel. Had to sell it when times were tough and I would get another 1895 Cowboy if I could ($$).

[Gman]

45-70 has amazing penetration. If you want to roll your own, casting your own bullets is pretty easy.

I looked at the Guide Gun, but would probably go for a longer barrel.

If you like it, go for it.

[Skully]

So if he got it free as a gift or heirloom should he be forced to give it to you for free as well? Just curious how far this 'good friend' thing goes. What if he paid MORE than market value, should you... as a good friend... be forced to pay over market value to bail your friend out of a bad deal he made? I never understood why some got their jimmies ruffled over what the previous owner paid. Starting to sound an awful lot more like socialism than capitalism.

No socialism about it, I was not referring to the money/value aspect.

It all depends on what you consider the term "Buddy" is in the friendship level meter, everyone's gauge is different for that term.

For example; someone I have know for years as an "acquaintance" tells me he paid $400 for it to help another friend out, but then offers to it to me for $500, shows me where I stand with that person, but it depends on the item in question if I consider the purchase or not and I would not be too offended.

Next example: A long time personal close friend were to do that I definitely would have to re-evaluate the close friendship thing status and feel a little hurt.

In the way the OP made the first post I read it as "His Buddy" helped another buddy out in a $$ situation then turned around offered it to him for $500, $100 profit, didn't sound very "Buddy" like to me.

The OP clarified that "He" was the one who offered the extra $100.

[Bailey Guns]

If I was in the market for this gun and a close friend offered it to me for $500, I 'd jump on it. Even knowing he paid $400. That's a good deal no matter which way you slice it. It seems to me that's more than fair. He risked his money on a gun he didn't particularly want to help someone. Then he offered it for more than a fair price and well under market value. He could be making $150 to $200 more on some of the gun sites.

[Bailey Guns]

So if he got it free as a gift or heirloom should he be forced to give it to you for free as well? Just curious how far this 'good friend' thing goes. What if he paid MORE than market value, should you... as a good friend... be forced to pay over market value to bail your friend out of a bad deal he made? I never understood why some got their jimmies ruffled over what the previous owner paid. Starting to sound an awful lot more like socialism than capitalism.

It reminds me of people who sell a gun for an asking price and they're happy when it sells at that price. But they get all bent when the next guy turns around and sells it for more $$. Once you sell the gun, it's a done deal. What happens after that isn't the original seller's concern.

[Jer]

No socialism about it, I was not referring to the money/value aspect.

It all depends on what you consider the term "Buddy" is in the friendship level meter, everyone's gauge is different for that term.

For example; someone I have know for years as an "acquaintance" tells me he paid $400 for it to help another friend out, but then offers to it to me for $500, shows me where I stand with that person, but it depends on the item in question if I consider the purchase or not and I would not be too offended.

Next example: A long time personal close friend were to do that I definitely would have to re-evaluate the close friendship thing status and feel a little hurt.

In the way the OP made the first post I read it as "His Buddy" helped another buddy out in a $$ situation then turned around offered it to him for $500, $100 profit, didn't sound very "Buddy" like to me.

The OP clarified that "He" was the one who offered the extra $100.

The socialism reference was a bit facetious on my part but you get the point. His idea of 'buddy' does come into play but much like I said before even if he's a good buddy there's a flip side to that coin which is why what is paid for something by one individual should not come into account when that individual sells it to someone else. Anyone else. That flip side is if you have a good buddy who receives a bunch of firearms from a relative who has passed away. Knowing this he offers you one that he decides he doesn't want to keep. Should you expect this to be given to you for free since he received it free or would you pay market or near market value? After all, you are a good buddy, right? Something a good buddy does is they don't take advantage of another buddy with knowledge they have gained in order to get ahead. If he wants to offer it to you for less than market than that's one thing but EXPECTING that is just as bad as trying to make money off your buddies IMO. So in this instance if the buddy didn't pay $400 and he received it for free would you feel 'shafted' if he offered it to you for $100 even though it was worth $400-$500? Seems pretty unreasonable to do such a thing to a good friend yet he's 'making' the same $100 off of you. Things start to get complex and this is exactly why I try to avoid selling items to good buddies because in the end it never helps a friendship and if I do it's market value or ever-so-slightly less and my buddy usually doesn't mind paying it if it's something he wants as he would pay that or slightly more elsewhere. None of my friends expect a free ride nor do they expect to gain position on my back and those are the types of friends I keep. Maybe you're different but that's my take on the subject and to me seems the fairest way taking all things into consideration.


It reminds me of people who sell a gun for an asking price and they're happy when it sells at that price. But they get all bent when the next guy turns around and sells it for more $$. Once you sell the gun, it's a done deal. What happens after that isn't the original seller's concern.

Also a good point. Once you sell an item you relinquish ALL rights to that item. If they sell it for more that shouldn't mean anything to you and you shouldn't expect anything or be angry of they sell it for more just like if they have to take a loss they shouldn't expect you to show up with money to span the gap. All sales are final and both parties agreed to the terms which were stated originally and that's the end of their transaction in it's entirety as it applies to that item.

[The Norseman]

I heard a "buddy" was someone who would go downtown and get two blow jobs and then bring one back for you.....

[Jer]

I heard a "buddy" was someone who would go downtown and get two blow jobs and then bring one back for you.....
That's a pretty good 'buddy' there.

[Skully]

I heard a "buddy" was someone who would go downtown and get two blow jobs and then bring one back for you.....


That's a pretty good 'buddy' there.


That is a good buddy. [Coffee]


Not sure Jer how we managed to get totally off subject with my making comment of the "buddy" thing. You misunderstood me, which it is hard sometimes in the relaying what your thinking in the writing, so my fault for not explaining.

The original OP's post, how I originally read it was, his "buddy" helped another friend out and got a new looking item for a steal in price, told him what he paid for it then immediately turned around and offered it to him for more. The OP digressed more of what happened. So I misunderstood how the deal went down.

The making a mark up I guess in my imaginary world I would do that to a "buddy or close friend" I would hook them up for a deal as well. A good acquaintance I might mark up a little, but I am not going to rub it in how much I originally paid for it. Guess that is me, I find certain value in friendship more than making a buck.
Everyone is different though. [Beer]




So back on to the original subject matter of the post, with all the positive "YES" get it, did the author of this wonderful thread pick it up????? :)

[drift_g35]

Wow, I really fucked this thread up haha. I have been busy with a release from work so I havent had a chance to go over to my buddy's house. Maybe this weekend.

[hurley842002]

I've owned both the guide gun in 45-70, and the GBL in 45-70, bottom line I loved both of them, and hope to own another in the future. The 45-70 is such a fun versatile cartridge, you can go from light recoiling (think .410 or 20 gauge) factory 405 grain Remington loads, to hot and heavy 430-500 grain boutique or hand rolled loads that will damn near put you on your a$$, and take any game in the Americas, and most game in Africa.

If you don't buy it, maybe you can put me in touch with your friend, lol.

[Bailey Guns]

If you don't buy it, maybe you can put me in touch with your friend, lol.

No kidding. If I didn't already have one I wouldn't be able to count out the money fast enough if I knew who the friend was.

[Jer]

Wow, I really fucked this thread up haha. I have been busy with a release from work so I havent had a chance to go over to my buddy's house. Maybe this weekend.
If he doesn't offer you fresh-made brownies as you enter the door he's not a very good buddy. A real buddy would do that.

[Skully]

If he doesn't offer you fresh-made brownies as you enter the door he's not a very good buddy. A real buddy would do that.


...but avoid the ones that smell funny. Could get you trouble in other ways. [Coffee]

[tmleadr03]

People who say they are for capitalism are so many times the same people who complain when someone makes money off them.