# Fighting a bear...

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fighting-a-bear/289083>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [February 9, 2005, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fighting-a-bear/289083 "2005-02-09T00:01:32Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 4

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**Author:** ![Gunslinger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4491bb/32.png) [@Gunslinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gunslinger)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2005, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fighting-a-bear/289083/61 "2005-02-13T01:29:07Z")

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> [@BF](#):
>
> I’d recommend the [Alaskan Co-Pilot](http://www.wildwestguns.com/CoPilot_And_Guide_Rifles/body_copilot_and_guide_rifles.html) or the less expensive [Winchester](http://www.winchesterguns.com/prodinfo/catalog/detail.asp?cat_id=534&type_id=105&cat=003C). Here’s the [Canadian website](http://www.cfc-ccaf.gc.ca/info_for-renseignement/factsheets/visitin_e.asp) that details what you must do in order to bring in a non-restricted firearm, of which the two I linked above are included.

You’re forgetting the [Marlin 1895G (in .45-70](http://www.marlinfirearms.com/firearms/bigBore_levrAction/1895G.htm) or the [url=“[http://www.marlinfirearms.com/firearms/bigBore\_levrAction/1895M.htm](http://www.marlinfirearms.com/firearms/bigBore_levrAction/1895M.htm)”.450 Marlin that was created for it), the gun preferred by the majority of Alaskan hunting guides. The CoPilot is a modified Marlin (cut it in half and bore it out to an expensive proprietary cartridge that offers little, if any, benefit over the .45-70)

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**Author:** ![Scarface\_Z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/50afbb/32.png) [@Scarface\_Z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarface_Z)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2005, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fighting-a-bear/289083/62 "2005-02-13T01:41:39Z")

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> [@Gunslinger](#):
>
> You’re forgetting the [Marlin 1895G (in .45-70](http://www.marlinfirearms.com/firearms/bigBore_levrAction/1895G.htm) or the [url=“[Rimfire](http://www.marlinfirearms.com/firearms/bigBore_levrAction/1895M.htm)”.450 Marlin that was created for it), the gun preferred by the majority of Alaskan hunting guides. The CoPilot is a modified Marlin (cut it in half and bore it out to an expensive proprietary cartridge that offers little, if any, benefit over the .45-70)

I’m confused. The two guns weigh the same and they are the same length, what makes one a guide gun and the other not?  
😕

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