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Compare Best Guide Guns head to head
Pick any two picks from this list and see specs, current price, pros, cons and reader ratings side by side.
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#10 on this list
870 Slug Guide Setup
Remington
A rifled-barrel 12 gauge with a low-power scope — legal where rifles are not, and devastating inside 125 yards.
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#1 on this list
1895 Guide Gun .45-70
Marlin
The rifle that named the category: an 18.5-inch lever action in .45-70 that puts a 405-grain bullet where it needs to go, fast.
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Specs side by side
| Spec | 870 Slug Guide Setup | 1895 Guide Gun .45-70 |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Remington 870 Express/Wingmaster | — |
| Caliber | 12 Gauge Slug | .45-70 Government |
| Barrel Type | Rifled Slug Barrel | — |
| Typical Capacity | 3-5 Rounds | — |
| Optic Compatibility | Scope or Red Dot | — |
| Primary Use | Big Game Hunting (close-mid range) | — |
| Action | — | Lever Action |
| Barrel Length | — | 18.5 inches |
| Capacity | — | 6+1 rounds (tube magazine) |
| Stock Material | — | Laminate or Wood |
| Sights | — | Adjustable Semi-Buckhorn rear, Hooded Ramp front |
What our reviewers liked and didn't
870 Slug Guide Setup
- Exceptional stopping power at close to mid-range
- Legendary reliability and robust construction
- Widely available parts and easy to service
- Cost-effective solution for slug hunting
- Versatile platform; can swap barrels for bird hunting
- Significant recoil with full-power slugs
- Heavier than most modern hunting rifles
- Limited effective range compared to rifles
- Can be cumbersome in extremely dense cover
1895 Guide Gun .45-70
- Exceptional stopping power at close to moderate range
- Compact and highly maneuverable in dense cover
- Rugged, reliable, and built to withstand harsh conditions
- Fast follow-up shots possible with practice
- Classic lever action aesthetics with modern capability
- Significant recoil, requires practice to master
- Limited effective range due to bullet trajectory
- Ammunition can be expensive and less common
- Heavier than some alternatives for its size
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