When it comes to quality lever guns, Rusty S. is TFB’s resident expert-in-charge. Even so, I’ve drooled over the creations at Grizzly Custom Guns for too long to keep quiet. A mix of fine wood and steel on a classic rifle can put visions of high plains, pine trees an snow covered mountains into anyone’s head.
If I had my choice, I’d opt for one of the quick-swinging SBR packages. A short barrel, short length of pull and a reliable action would make for an awesome pack gun. A leather sling and butt-stock ammo carrier completes the setup nicely.
The Backpacker Scout (SBR) – Lever Action Package
An extremely short, fast-handling custom lever-action rifle complete with custom leather sling and butt-cuff. In addition, a Scout Scope is mounted in Leupold QRW rings, sitting on a picatinny rail. An excellent choice for whatever is chasing you in the brush. This package, and many other modifications, can be performed on virtually any Marlin lever action rifle.
Package modifications and parts include:
Shorten and re-crown barrel at 13 inches, or whatever the customer requires
Shorten magazine tube, make flush w/ 1895 style mount
Custom LPA ghost ring sight system with single post front sight
Custom enlarged lever loop
Smooth all ports, inside and out
Modify loading gate for easier loading & unloading
Leupold 2.5x Scout scope
Leupold QRW scope rings
Picatinny Rail for Scout scope
Extensive action smoothing
Stainless steel follower
Trigger job
Bobbed hammer
Pachmayr Decelerator recoil pad
Custom leather butt-cuff ammunition carrier
Custom padded “Slimline” leather sling
Complete action dehorning
Bed stocks
Satin matte metal prep and bluing
ATF paperwork as required for transfer
If you are interested in a Gizzly, be prepared to wait. It looks like their backlog is about six months. And although there is no official wait list, if you send them an email you can request “call ahead seating” for your rifle. Just make sure to include the specifics on your preferred build package.
A .44Mag SBR is probably the most versatile setup, but for some reason a suppressed .45-70 is calling my name.
Jeremiah Johnson approves:
Grizzly Custom Guns, LLC – http://www.grizzlycustom.com/index.html
325 Patterson Ranch Lane
Columbia Falls, Montana 59912