r/canadaguns • u/Vortex_963 • Jun 15 '26

Buy recommendations Rossi R95 Laminate or Wait for a Marlin?

Hey All,
I've been waiting for a Marlin 1895 SBL 45-70 for a long time, like I'm sure some of you, and now considering other brands. I've been even open to the Marlin Trapper but even that has been a challenge.

I've been playing with the idea of the Rossi R95 Laminate which is like a replica Marlin, albeit not as high QC as the Marlin.

Would you recommend continue to wait for a Marlin or pick-up the Rossi R95?

If the Rossi R95 is really not recommended due to QC, would the S&W 1854 be a better choice? The only reason I haven't entertained the 1854 is really the laminate stock of the Rossi and Marlin that has attracted me to it.

Thank you!

11 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

8

u/LostMyAccInfo8 Jun 15 '26

Work with both of them. I'd go Marlin, Henry, Winchester, Smith & Wesson and then perhaps maybe consider Rossi. My best advice, don't go the Rossi route. Most of them at the minimum need an adjustment on the lever, and the build quality is no where near the others I've named above.

2

u/epnk420 Jun 16 '26

Henry is my personal go to, least you can find them in stock and great warranty. Rossi or citadel would be my last choices and never Canuck or Turk stuff

3

u/KalashnikovParty Jun 16 '26

just my 2 cents, but for something as fickle as a lever gun you really don’t want to play the qc roulette. If the Marlin is a bit too much, SW and Henry are also great alternative choices

2

u/CanadianBushCamper Jun 15 '26

Try looking on Gun post for a good condition used one.

3

u/Vortex_963 Jun 15 '26

Thanks man. Everything used is well above what it's retailed for, probably due to the fact that they (Marling 1895 SBL chambered in 45-70) are so hard to find.

1

u/Individual_Dare_2722 Jun 16 '26

I bought the bullet and got a used Marlin SBL 4570 on gunpost. Try to find one with some additional mods or accessories to make the price hurt less. Ships to you pretty quick. More fun having and shotting the gun than waiting forever to buy it for $800 cheaper

1

u/Lumindan Jun 16 '26

Are you going to plink with it or hunt?

1

u/Vortex_963 Jun 16 '26

80% Range, 20% Hunting.

1

u/IRUNGUNSAZ Business Account Jun 18 '26

IRG has the SBL Marlin in Canada

1

u/Specialist_Eagle3665 16d ago

I’ve been using the Rossi R95 in .45-70 for over a year now. I really like it; the lever action works beautifully. Today, I also ordered a Marlin SBL in .357 Mag. My dealer said I’d have to wait nearly two years. It takes an incredibly long time, but there is only one company in Ukraine that imports these rifles.