Gun Of The Week: Marlin Dark Series Model 1895

Despite a series of ownership changes over the last 50 years, the Marlin Firearms brand is alive and well today, mostly thanks to its recent brand steward, Sturm, Ruger & Co. Ruger did well by Marlin enthusiasts and brought to life a brand steeped in American heritage. And these latest lever guns are nothing to scoff at with the Dark Series Model 1895 being a far cry from yesteryear’s SBL. Watch the video above to see this tactical lever-action carbine in use on the range.

Based on one of the most popular lever-action carbines of all time, Marlin’s Dark Series Model 1895 combines the action design of the Marlin Model 336, with tactical elements today’s shooters have requested, which makes for a fun-to-shoot platform that’s easily accessorized. And it comes chambered for the time-honored .45-70 Gov’t, which makes it a hunt-legal firearm in states that have straight-wall cartridge requirements. This latest iteration of Model 1895 is sure to leave you impressed.

At the heart of the Marlin Dark Series Model 1895 carbine is a CNC-machined receiver fitted with a 16.17” cold-hammer-forged barrel of which is threaded 11/16×24 TPI for accessories, however, Marlin supplies the gun with a radial muzzle brake attached. Should you wish to thread on a suppressor, you can easily do that, too. A thread protector is also supplied.

Wrapping the barrel is an anodized aluminum handguard featuring MagPul’s M-Lok attachment slots at the 3-, 6- and 9-o’clock positions for additional accessories. There’s also a QD socket embedded for sling use. Atop the receiver, there’s a long section of Picatinny rail extends beyond and onto the barrel for use with myriad optic types and accessories. In addition, Marlin supplies its Dark Series Model 1895 with a set of iron sights that include a post front containing a tritium ring around a fiber-optic pipe. We found this combination is fast to assume and easy to see in low-light conditions, especially when paired with the ghost-ring-style rear aperture.

Advancing this version of the Model 1895 to the next level, Marlin added a nylon-reinforced polymer stock. It comes with M-Lok slots for mounting accessories and has left- and right-side flush cup sockets for QD sling mounts. A cheek riser built into the buttstock comes standard and is beneficial for those who wish to run an elevated optic atop the receiver. Textured panels line either side of the wrist and a generous recoil pad help to combat the effects of big-bore, .45-70 Gov’t recoil.

At the range our testers found the Marlin Dark Series Model 1895 received much attention from nearby shooters. The gun’s rich black color, thanks to the Graphite Black Cerakote finish, combined with its modern accoutrements makes for an interesting and standout option in the lever-gun market. The gun’s straight forward controls and robust manufacturing from the revamped Marlin brand make this one of the more exciting versions we’ve encountered under the 1895 banner.

Marlin Dark Series Model 1895 Specifications
Manufacturer: Marlin Firearms
Action Type: lever-action, repeating, centerfire carbine
Chambering: .45-70 Gov’t
Barrel: 16.17″ cold-hammer-forged steel; 11/16×24 TPI muzzle
Receiver: CNC-machined steel
Magazine: five-round tubular
Sights: tritium-wrapped fiber-optic post front, windage- and elevation-adjustable aperture rear
Stock: nylon-reinforced polymer buttstock, aluminum handguard
Overall Length: 35.50″
Weight: 7 lbs.
MSRP: $1,429