Marlin 1895GBL

Aside from existing Marlin models, the basic Model 336/Model 1895 receiver and lever action mechanism has enjoyed some popularity as a parent for various wildcat caliber conversions. These custom rifles are increasingly popular in the western United States, Canada, and Alaska where encounters with grizzly bears and other potentially dangerous animals can be expected. Some of these wildcat cartridge conversions include the .450 Alaskan, .457 Wild West Magnum, .50 Alaskan, and the .510 Kodiak Express.

Of the conversions mentioned both the .450 Alaskan and the .457 Wild West Magnum do not require new barrels, but simply a chamber reaming and the required action modifications (referred to as “action lengthening”); the .457 magnum also allows continued ability to use .45-70. The .510 Kodiak Express is the most powerful wildcat conversion available for the Marlin at 5,000+ ft-lbs.¹² Both the .50 Alaskan and .510 Kodiak Express require a new barrel to be installed on the rifle.

The .45-90 Sharps (also called .45-90 WCF or simply .45-90) has occasionally been used in converted Marlin 1895 rifles. The .45-90 conversion involves modifications to the action that increase the bolt travel and action timing (to adjust when a round is ejected, and when a new round lifts to enter the chamber), and the chamber in the barrel is reamed to .45-90 specifications. The case of a .45-90 is more than a quarter inch longer than the .45-70. The limitations on bolt travel of a converted Model 336 rifles are generally limit its case overall length (COL) to 2.85 inches. The 2.85 COL allows all bullets that work with the .45-70 action to be used in the converted .45-90. The .45-90 converted 1895 actions have the same pressure limitations as the .45-70 actions.

With a big-loop finger lever for easy deployment with gloves and a full-length tubular magazine offering six rounds of 45–70 Gov’t. firepower, this new rifle is big, fast-acting medicine in any neck of the woods. It features a two-tone brown laminate stock for enhanced weather resistance and distinctive looks.