Marlin 1895 limited edition or Pedersoli

[mar]

Earlier this year I bought a Marlin 1895 and had an XS lever rail put on and then mounted a scout scope.  This was my first 45-70 and I really like it.  Now I am thinking about getting another and keep it with open sights.  I've been looking at the Marlin 1895 limited edition that came out last year that has the 24" octagon barrel with engraving on the receiver.  I have also thought about the Pedersoli models 1886 or 86/71.  Has anyone owned one of these or have any input about them?  Thanks.

[BigBore44]

See if you can find a
Marlin 1895 Century limited edition. Now those are classy and were still made by Marlin craftsman. Before Remington took over.

I don't really know about the others you mentioned.

Best
BigBore44

[mar]

Ray
I found a picture of the one you spoke of. That is great looking but I wanted a shotgun style butt so that a recoil pad could be used. The curved metal butt plate looks awesome but might be hard on the shoulder.
Marshall

[BigBore44]

Marshall
I understand. One thing to possibly be aware of on the new commemorative . If they are making the octagon bbl like the new Cowboys, It isn't a nice sharp corners on the bbl, more like lobes.
I've handled a few o the 18.5" & 26" 1895 Cowboys and was pretty disappointed in the barrels.
Just a FYI.

Best

Ray

[Thunderjet]

You could also take a look at a Winchester 1886 Extra Lite Deluxe rifle. Plenty of engraving with gold critters on the side.

[medicdave]

I have one if the older miroku Winchester extra light 1886's. I swapped in browning parts to add half cock to the hammer, and slicked it up with a bit of polishing and spring work, added a reciever sight etc., and I like it way better than my brothers Marlin. If your going to scope it the Marlin is much easier to scope.

[rgp]

I've shot a friend's Pedersoli 86/71. It was very well made, as smooth as an original Model 71, easy to shoot well, reliable, and everything about it feels right. It is perfectly balanced and very comfortable to shoot. It really does feel like an original Winchester Model 71 but with a bigger hole in the barrel and a 5 shot magazine. The recoil pad on this gun is also a very nice one, it is like those smooth sporting clays type pads that won't grab clothing when you shoulder it.

Ever since shooting that one I've wanted to buy one but I haven't been to any gun shops that have them in stock.

The only downside I can see of the 86/71 is if you want to use a scope. I don't care for scopes on lever guns though so that doesn't affect me. Of note, Pedersoli also makes an original 71 type bolt mount peep sight which can be purchased separately for this rifle.

[rgp]

PS, no lawyer mandated extra safeties on the 86/71 I shot, it has the original half cock and everything.

[mar]

Nov 9, 2016 15:37:54 GMT -5 rgp said:

I've shot a friend's Pedersoli 86/71. It was very well made, as smooth as an original Model 71, easy to shoot well, reliable, and everything about it feels right. It is perfectly balanced and very comfortable to shoot. It really does feel like an original Winchester Model 71 but with a bigger hole in the barrel and a 5 shot magazine. The recoil pad on this gun is also a very nice one, it is like those smooth sporting clays type pads that won't grab clothing when you shoulder it.

Ever since shooting that one I've wanted to buy one but I haven't been to any gun shops that have them in stock.

The only downside I can see of the 86/71 is if you want to use a scope. I don't care for scopes on lever guns though so that doesn't affect me. Of note, Pedersoli also makes an original 71 type bolt mount peep sight which can be purchased separately for this rifle.

Rgp
Was the Pedersoli that you shot seem to be accurate or did your buddy tell you anything about the accuracy?  I probably would keep this rifle with open sights since the Marlin that I have has a scope.  Thanks everyone for the info. so far.

[rgp]

Nov 9, 2016 20:50:46 GMT -5 mar said:

Nov 9, 2016 15:37:54 GMT -5 rgp said:

I've shot a friend's Pedersoli 86/71. It was very well made, as smooth as an original Model 71, easy to shoot well, reliable, and everything about it feels right. It is perfectly balanced and very comfortable to shoot. It really does feel like an original Winchester Model 71 but with a bigger hole in the barrel and a 5 shot magazine. The recoil pad on this gun is also a very nice one, it is like those smooth sporting clays type pads that won't grab clothing when you shoulder it.

Ever since shooting that one I've wanted to buy one but I haven't been to any gun shops that have them in stock.

The only downside I can see of the 86/71 is if you want to use a scope. I don't care for scopes on lever guns though so that doesn't affect me. Of note, Pedersoli also makes an original 71 type bolt mount peep sight which can be purchased separately for this rifle.

Rgp
Was the Pedersoli that you shot seem to be accurate or did your buddy tell you anything about the accuracy?  I probably would keep this rifle with open sights since the Marlin that I have has a scope.  Thanks everyone for the info. so far.

All we did with the gun that day was shoot some small rocks with it,  ie, targets no bigger than a ping pong ball or golf ball at ranges from about 25 yards out to maybe 75 yards. I do not know if he ever tested it on paper but he said it was accurate and to me it "felt" accurate, and more importantly, it was easy to hit with, it was a very easy rifle to shoot well. It is also a very nicely made and well finished firearm.

Out of the box it has buckhorn sights and a gold bead front, but the
buckhorn sight they use is of high quality and easy to use. There is an importer in Amarillo, I think their name is IFG or Italian Firearms Group, and they stock the Pedersoli copy of the original M71 type peep sight that mounts on a slot in the top of the bolt. I believe the rifle was also drilled and tapped on the receiver for aftermarket receiver sights as are sold for the 1886 Winchesters.

I've got an original 24" .348 Winchester 71, and the Pedersoli appears to be an exact copy of the 71 as far as the action (Winchester's 71 action was a "modernized" 86 with fewer parts, so an 1886 action is a little bit different than a 71), and to me both guns feel the same. The Pedersoli 86/71 he has is either the classic or the premium with a 24" barrel, with half cock safety and free of undesirable modern "improvements." Some of the other versions made by Pedersoli though have an additional modern tang safety like the Miroku Winchesters.

If you think you might be interested in one, the 86/71 really is worth a trip to a dealer who has one in stock so you can see it in person.