I have one of the first Guide Guns in 45-70 - one of the ported ones. I love it. I've taken 3 black bear with it with as many shots. It really 'thumps' em. I have a little 1.5 - 4X shotgun scope on it with the circle/crosshair reticle. I'm thinking of getiting another in the cowboy version with the nice long octagon barrel and use it with open sights.