Anyone like The Guide Gun?

[razor]

I just bought one off of gunbroker. I plan on mounting a Leuopld VarX 1.5x5 on it. Also, may have the trigger worked on, and a Decelrator pad installed. Do these kick anymore than the 22" barrel model? Do you all like them?

[Gary @ R&G]

I have a 450 Guide and like it. I put a WWG trigger in it to get rid of the flop. I use a Burris 1 3/4x on an XS scout mount. I used Warne QD rings and XS ghost ring sights as a back up. Makes a handy and fast unit. I dont detect any real difference in the recoil between the short barrel and the 22".

[wickerbill]

The guide gun is a nice platform, but I prefer the cowboy version. It has a longer barrel with Ballard style rifling.
Bill

[s0therngunner]

I have a Guide Gun in 45-70 and I am very happy with it ,the recoil isn't bad with the 45-70 but a friend of mine has one in 450 Marlin and there is big difference but it is still tolerable.

[brionic]

I have a "Mini" guide gun - the 16" bbl'ed .44 1894P. Very practical and handy. I added the WWG trigger kit, the Ashley sights, and changed the springs. Terrific platform!

[Ken O'Neill]

I've owned 2. The 1st is a blued ported .45-70 version that I've owned since shortly after they were introduced. It wears a Burris compact 4X scope in Leupold Q.D. rings. I seldom use a rifle, but I like this one a lot. I also owned a stainless unported version for about a year. I sold it, preferring the original. My load for both was / is 53 gr. of IMR 3031 driving a 400 gr. Speer FN, so it's a pretty stiff load. The only change I may one day make to mine is to add a big loop Marlin or Wild West Guns lever to better accomodate a gloved hand.

[whitworth]

My brother-in-law has a .45/70 Guide Gun and it's a great little rifle. It handles really well and has proven accurate.

[boxhead]

I have had one since they first came out. Shoots great, so well I sold my Ruger #1. The Guide Gun also has ballard rifling so shoots cast bullets wonderfully.

[warhawk]

I have a ported stainless version, 45-70. I also have a 1975 vintage 1895 with the straight grip stock and 22 inch barrel. I can't tell any difference in recoil between the two, and both are accurate (1.5-2 inch groups at 100 yds).

[wickerbill]

Feb 14, 2010 22:22:22 GMT -5 boxhead said:

I have had one since they first came out. Shoots great, so well I sold my Ruger #1. The Guide Gun also has ballard rifling so shoots cast bullets wonderfully.

I had one of the first one to come out and it had a micro groove barrel. That's one reason I got rid it. I shoot a lot of cast bullets.
Bill

[boxhead]

Feb 15, 2010 6:29:54 GMT -5 wickerbill said:

Feb 14, 2010 22:22:22 GMT -5 boxhead said:

I have had one since they first came out. Shoots great, so well I sold my Ruger #1. The Guide Gun also has ballard rifling so shoots cast bullets wonderfully.

I had one of the first one to come out and it had a micro groove barrel. That's one reason I got rid it. I shoot a lot of cast bullets.
Bill

Interesting as mine doesn't. I bought it in '97/'98 IIRC?

[coldcase1984]

I put a set of Ashley Ghost Rings on my 1st year ported model before I ever shot it. Killed a couple deer with it that season and it is about the only gun that's ever hurt my ears while shooting at game. Have only plinked with it since then; my son likes to lob 405 cast with 11 gr. Unique at the 50-yard steel.

Been talking about getting the barrel bobbed to behind the ports for years but haven't got around to it. A fellow officer is a pretty good machinist and may get him to do it soon. Would like to get a bigger loop lever on it.

Bad thing is I've gone from 40 to 50 since getting my GG and that Ashley front sight ain't clear enough anymore. May have to break down and put a Leupold 2.5X on it. The thing shot less than an inch at 50 yards back in 2000!

[Lee Martin]

I have the early ported SS 45-70 Guide Gun. Recoil is stout with max 405 grain loads, but it isn't any worse than the 22" model. Pretty accurate rifle @ 50 yards with open sights.

-Lee
www.singleactions.com

[Gary @ R&G]

I dont notice the ports much when shooting but have been thinking about trimming the barrel back to 16.5". I am not a big fan of porting and that would get rid of it.I saw an article featuring a 45-70 and a 30-30 that Lew Bonitz at Grizzly custom shortened and slicked up. Makes a neat package. He uses the DRC big loop lever, modified LPA 870 rear and a fabricated ramp front.

[Lee Martin]

Now that sounds like a plan Gary. I've shot 45-70 Guide Guns with and without the ports and I agree....they don't seem to make much of a difference.

-Lee
www.singleactions.com