I have decided to sell my Marlin 45-70. I purchased it three years ago because "it's pretty". It hasn't gotten much use ~ maybe 30ish rounds have been shot through it. Last weekend I shot it once and my shoulder pitched a bitch, as the thing has quite the kick.
My decision to sell has several factors; 1) see above about the kick, 2) it's sad that it doesn't get much use, and 3) I think my neighborhood is safe from buffalo or elephant attacks.
Yeah... That's one really great gun - Mine's the short Marlin carbine... We have griz here, and I am getting too old to tussle and to gimped up to run... So I finally got rid of my Winchester Model 94 30/30 for the 45/70
I am a big dude, and I'll testify that (unaltered) it kicks worse than a Missouri mule.
However, there is somewhat you can do... I machined some muzzle brake slots into the tip of the barrel which helped some for the jump, but not much for the kick...
I then hung the 'cowboy' magazine on it, cut down to fit, which normally adds three rounds... But the top most round was given up for a mercury balancer, and another is machined into the stock...
Now she's a sweetheart. A touch more kick than the 30/30, but that was pretty much fixed with a recoil pad. I'm long-built, so I need the extra stock anyway... Wouldn't give up that rifle for nothing.
Good luck selling yours - If it doesn't sell good down there, it sure will in WY/ID/MT/AK, if you've got folks up this way you could trust with the sale.
