The author tries out the Marlin 1895 Dark Series, a lever-action .45-70 Gov’t rifle with a tactical twist.
If you want opinions on rifles, visit a deer hunting camp. As I’m writing this, I’m sitting in a deer camp at the Lowrance Ranch in Truscott, Texas. This area is mostly flat and open, and the ranch hands there surprised me with their positive views on the Marlin Dark Series 1895 when I showed them a picture of it.
I asked these deer hunting cowboys for a one-word description of the Dark Series 1895. One of them described it as the “terminator.” Another called it “awesome,” and the others agreed that “rugged” was the best description. These were experienced deer hunters, right?
First, Some History
The new Dark Series rifle from Marlin is a modernization of the traditional lever-action rifle. The 2019 Dark Series rifles were essentially all-black versions of the 336, 1894, and 1895 models, with an XS Sights lever rail installed.
These guns were well received, but they were not enough to save Marlin—or Remington—from bankruptcy.
The Details
The first rifle in the new Dark Series is the Model 1895, but Marlin plans to release a Dark Series Model 336 and 1894 shortly. These new rifles share only the name, base model numbers, a half-cock hammer, the now common cross-bolt safety, and their color with the original models. Marlin has substantially changed just about everything else, and these changes have altered the look and user interface.
One notable modernization is the absence of a wood forend. In its place, there’s a 13 5/8-inch anodized aluminum handguard with M-Lok slots around its circumference and two QD sling swivel sockets. The rifle also comes with a nicely contoured midsize finger lever and graphite black Cerakote-finished metal parts.
The buttstock is made of nylon-reinforced polymer and retains the traditional shape. At the top rear of the buttstock, there’s a steel QD sling stud on each side, allowing for the attachment of a polymer comb riser that comes with the rifle.
The rifle’s muzzle is threaded at 11/16×24, and it comes with a radial port break. Just behind the muzzle break is a high-profile fiber-optic front sight that’s encased inside a circle of Tritium for optimum visibility in low light, along with a fully adjustable ghost ring sight at the receiver.
Interface Maximized
The Dark Series has several features that improve user interface. It includes a snap-on polymer cheek piece that allows for a good cheek weld when shooting a low-mounted optic, an integral ghost ring for snap shooting at close range, and a versatile handguard with M-Lok slots for attachment of accessories like lights or bipods.
The rifle did have two drawbacks, namely a trigger with a slight hitch and a snap-on polymer comb that was a bit difficult to install, but easily replaced by the company when broken.
Traditional Versus Modern
The Marlin Dark Series rifle may not look very traditional, but its modern design makes it appealing to the modern shooter and any serious big-game hunter. It is well configured for hunting and versatile for a lever-action rifle, and is an excellent addition to Marlin’s line of rifles.
With its features, the new rifles could be described as “back in black,” as they are designed to appeal to a contemporary audience and hold their own in the modern hunting world.
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the February 2024 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
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