Ways to Modify a Marlin Guide Gun Lever Rifle

The Marlin Guide Gun is a lever-action rifle chambered in the .45-70 Government cartridge. The .45-70 Government cartridge has a reputation for being one of the hardest-hitting non-magnum rifle cartridges in current production; it is popular with long-distance shooters and big game hunters. A variety of modifications are available for the Marlin Guide gun, most of which involve upgrading the sight picture.

  1. Iron Sights

    • The original iron sights on the Marlin Guide Gun are of the open "buckhorn" variety. The sights are good for rapid target acquisition and shooting up-close, but less than ideal for precision shooting. Shooters with poor or aging eyesight find that the sights make accurate shooting difficult or impossible. A wide variety of peep-style sights are available for the Marlin Guide gun. Some attach to a rail that allows the attachment of a scope or other optics.

    Tradition Optics

    • Traditional optics -- such as a scope -- are easily mounted to the receiver of the Marlin Guide Gun. The scope is mounted directly to the receiver block with rings, or attached to a rail. The latter is the preferred method, because it allows easy removal of the scope for cleaning and maintenance.

    Scout Scope

    • Long-eye relief -- or "scout" scopes -- are often mounted on the Marlin Guide Gun. These scopes are placed farther from the shooter's eye. The device allows the shooter to retain a full field of vision while using the scope. Scout scopes lack the power of traditional short-eye relief optics, but they provide ease of target acquisition.

    After-Market Butt Pad

    • The factory butt-pad on the Marlin Guide Gun has a reputation for being stiff and uncomfortable. The addition of a softer, after-market butt-pad helps absorb the recoil of the shot and improves the shooting experience. After-market butt pads are available from a number of sporting goods retailers. The pads are available in a variety of thicknesses and sizes.