Early 65th Gift from my wife

[CAustin]

Sometime back a good friend acquired one of the new Ruger built Marlin lever action rifles. I was very impressed with the fit, feel and look of the rifle. Already an owner of a Marlin Guide Gun in 45-70 for some 15 years I wasn’t sure that I wanted the same caliber in the new versions that have salt and pepper laminated stocks and stainless like all of my Ruger #1s. Well these rifles are some of the most sought after firearms today and Ruger can’t build them fast enough. Finding one is in a word difficult. Tuesday of this week the wife went with me to Free State Guns in Shawnee Kansas to pick up a shotgun my SCI Chapter had ordered. Well what did I see on the display wall but the SBL 1894 pictured below. Understand that I had been looking for a couple of months and the wife knew I was looking for a new addition to the gun safes. She had asked some of my SCI friends what I was actually looking for but had not received definitive answers. I held the rifle and shouldered it several times but finally told Jake the GM to put it back but that I sure would like to have it. While Jake and I looked at some other items Cathy was making a deal with the salesman on duty to buy the rifle. Having concluded my business we went home. Unbeknownst to me the following day Cathy went back to the store and bought the rifle. Lucky me right! My birthday is still several months away but I got my gift. By the way Cathy purchased my first Ruger #1 for me 25 years ago. Hope she doesn’t wait another 25 years.

 

[CAustin]

The rifle is chambered in 44 REM Mag with a 16.1” barrel. Should be perfect for pig hunting down in Arkansas.

 

[AZDAVE]

Your wife got elevated to super hero status for that one. I salute her for being sneaky and surprising you with a nice gift!

 

[MRBlack]

That is awesome! Maybe I should reccomed that to my wife LOL! The new Ruger made marlins are in my opinion, the best ever made. Better machining and fit and finish than even the JM Marlins. I have a new trapper 45-70 and it is awesome. I would definitely recommend the Wild West Guns trigger pack. Took mine from 5.5lbs to 3lbs. It is very accurate and pushes my handloaded 350gr Swift A-Frames at 1950fps from the 16” barrel. They are wonderful guns.

 

[PARA45]

Those of us who have such a wonderful wife will never win the lottery, since we already won with a wonderful wife. Congratulations, you are a blessed man! Well done Mrs. @CAustin.

 

[Altitude sickness]

Wow! My wife might spring for an old rusty RedRyder

JM Marlin guide gun 45-70 I had the action and trigger smoothed out. Large loop, Skinner sight and Cerakoted