Marlin 1895 SBL project *FINISHED*

[p_ham]

A member here thought enough of my work to send me his carbine to get spruced up a bit.
We're starting with an 1895 SBL- made when "Remington" had the reins.

The metal work was done pretty well. Minimal tooling marks except for all the dovetails which are extremely tight. I've found these guns shoot better when they have a slip fit for the forend and mag tube.

The forend itself was wedged in so tight it had to be persuaded to come off with a mallet. Wood to metal fit also leaves a lot to be desired both on the butt and the forend.

 

[p_ham]

First up is fixing the wood. I was able to get the fit better on the buttstock, and thankfully there was enough meat there to scrub the "checkering."

 

[blueridge]

Looking forward to following your work on this. Love those big loop 45-70s.

 

[RealMuddyboots]

IYO, how does the wood metal fit compare to pre Rem versions? Metal work?

 

[p_ham]

IYO, how does the wood metal fit compare to pre Rem versions? Metal work?

The metal work on this one is better than most, the wood-metal fit is no comparison.

 

[noharleyyet]

If only your client could make up his damn mind . . .

 

[blueridge]

If only your client could make up his damn mind . . .

I had a feeling. Looked awfully familiar.

 

[p_ham]

The 1895s have a large bump in the magazine tube to aid in loading. They have a clearance cut in the forend to accommodate this. You have to be careful when you're thinning the forend not to get this area too thin. That's why in the cowboy models, instead on having the forend flush with the reciever it has a small radius that blends it at the end.
On a custom stock, the relief cut can be made to where it just gives clearance for the mag tube to fit and give some extra side wall. This allows you to then bring the wood down even with the reciever. Both styles look good, it's just something to be cognizant of.


After some work on the belt sander:


A bit of blending:


.3" (5/16" ish) of material was removed from the sides at the reciever end. There's still quite a bit that needs taken off of the end cap side.

 

[BrentD]

That bump out is strange to me. The orginal 1895 didn't have that and yet a .45-90 will chamber pretty easily.

Thinning the forearm will greatly improve appearances. I look forwad to seeing this finished.

 

[Jbotto]

I never knew that bump out was why they had such fat and saggy forends. It makes sense now! Love the projects! Keep them coming!

 

[p_ham]

That bump out is strange to me. The orginal 1895 didn't have that and yet a .45-90 will chamber pretty easily.

Thinning the forearm will greatly improve appearances. I look forwad to seeing this finished.

That makes me wonder what they changed when they decided they needed it.

I never knew that bump out was why they had such fat and saggy forends. It makes sense now! Love the projects! Keep them coming!

The fat forends are just a Marlin trademark. I've heard they were trying to separate themselves from the Winchester look. I wish they would've kept the sleek lines of the 93.

 

[BrentD]

That makes me wonder what they changed when they decided they needed it.

The fat forends are just a Marlin trademark. I've heard they were trying to separate themselves from the Winchester look. I wish they would've kept the sleek lines of the 93.

I can believe the Winchester story sort of, but the fat forearm is a relatively modern trait/trademark. They started with the 39a in the late 40s or early 50s. I've slimmed mine way down.

As for the current 1895 and the original '95, they are very different actions. The current 95 is basically a 326 action. Which in turn evolved from the midsized 1893 that was made in .32-40, .38-55, and .30-30.

The original 95 was made on a full sized action. Quite a bit bigger. It was chambered in the .45-70 (2.1") and .45-90 (2.4") derivatives in .38, 40, and .45 caliber. All of these had very slim forearms that matched well with their receivers. Only 5000 were made and many sat in store rooms for a very long time.

 

[noharleyyet]

@BrentD

Good stuff...

 

[p_ham]

Got the forend all shaped and bedded. Next up is finish sanding and staining. While that's drying I'll work on polishing the guts.

 

[p_ham]

I've really been slacking on updates, been getting my ass kicked by Covid.
Got the internals all polished, cut the barrel back and installed a brake to keep the overall length the same as factory.
I've got more pictures I need to take, we'll see how I feel tomorrow.

 

[220yotekiller]

amazing work as usual, you are super talented. hope you get to feeling better.

 

[p_ham]

Finished!
This one came out pretty dang clean, I'm a little bit jealous that it doesn't get to stay here with me!

Polish interior parts,
Soften and bead blast exterior
Ranger Point Precision loading gate
Wild West Guns tune up kit (trigger, ejector, follower)
Custom muzzle brake
Reprofile, bed, refinish stock set






The following are photos with my gun, which was the inspiration for the work done to the SBL.

 

[BAKPAKR]

Awesome job! How much extra to engrave “BAKPAKR” on there somewhere?

 

[mtmuley]

Finished!
This one came out pretty dang clean, I'm a little bit jealous that it doesn't get to stay here with me!

Polish interior parts,
Soften and bead blast exterior
Ranger Point Precision loading gate
Wild West Guns tune up kit (trigger, ejector, follower)
Custom muzzle brake
Reprofile, bed, refinish stock set

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The following are photos with my gun, which was the inspiration for the work done to the SBL.
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Going to a good home? Gorgeous. mtmuley

 

[Potsie]

Ya, that’s awesome. Well done man.