New For 2023: Marlin 1895 Dark Series

by
posted on December 13, 2023
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Marlin 1895 Dark 01
Images courtesy of Sturm, Ruger and Co.

Despite that the words “tactical” and “lever-action” may seem like an odd pairing, several manufacturers have proven that combining modern features with the fast handling of a lever gun is a winning combination. Ruger breathed life back into the Marlin brand with its re-introduction of the 1895 in 2022. The original SBL model, which was given a Golden Bullseye award as the “2023 Rifle of the Year,” was soon augmented by Guide Gun and Trapper models. New for 2023, Marlin is giving the 1895 the “tactical lever-action” treatment with its Dark Series.

The basic dimensions of the 1895 Dark follows that of the 1895 Trapper. The cold hammer-forged 16.17” barrel has its muzzle threaded 11/16x24 TPI and comes with a radial muzzle brake installed (a thread protector is also supplied). It has an overall length of 35.5” and weighs 7 lbs. The underbarrel magazine tube extends nearly to the muzzle and has a capacity of five .45-70 Gov't cartridges. 

Left side of the Marlin 1895 Dark Series, along with four .45-70 Government cartridges.For 2023, Marlin is giving its .45-70 1895 the Dark “tactical” treatment.

The Trapper’s stainless-steel components are replaced by carbon steel that is given a satin black finish. In place of wood furniture, the 1895 uses a nylon-reinforced polymer buttstock that has QD swivel stud sockets, a rubber recoil pad and a cheekpiece that is adjustable to optimize sight picture with optical sights. The fore-end is made of anodized aluminum and has both QD swivel sockets and M-Lok slots machined in. 

Muzzle end of the Marlin 1895 Dark Series rifle.The unique features of the 1895 Dark include an aluminum fore-end, polymer buttstock, factory-installed muzzle brake and ghost ring night sights on an extended Picatinny rail.

Like the Trapper, the 1895 Dark uses a receiver-mounted aperture rear sight, but with the Dark model this sight takes a “ghost ring” form and is mounted on an extended section of Picatinny rail that allows the mounting of optics in the conventional or forward position. The front sight post uses a fiber-optic insert with a ring of tritium for low-light conditions. 

The Marlin 1895 Dark Series has an MSRP of $1,379, and the company will be offering 336 and 1894 Dark models early next year. For more information, visit marlinfirearms.com.

Latest

Hearing Healthy
Hearing Healthy

Summer Suppressor Deals On Now

Whether it is a BOGO deal from SIG or free tax stamps from Guns.com and Silencer Central, there's plenty of hearing-safe savings to be had this summer.

Rifleman Report: Defending Freedom For 250 Years

"Anyone who claims not to understand the plain and simple intent of the Second Amendment—especially if that person happens to be a constitutional law professor, Supreme Court justice, congressman, senator or president—is likely hiding nefarious intent: to strip individual liberty from American citizens for the express purpose of making them susceptible to a tyrannical government."

Book Review: 2025 Traveler’s Guide To The Firearms Laws Of The Fifty States

Newly updated for 2025, the 29th edition of the Traveler’s Guide To The Firearm Laws Of The Fifty States is packed with all the need-to-know information for cross-country trekkers seeking to bring their arms along with them and remain legal in all localities.

Springfield Kuna: A PDW For The Masses

Small, yet fierce, the namesake of Springfield Armory’s latest large-format pistol is a revered forest dweller in the land of its Croatian manufacturing partner, HS Produkt. The new Kuna is poised to be just as welcome in America.

The Armed Citizen® June 30, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Book Review: Clockwork Basilisk: The Early Revolvers Of Elisha Collier & Artemas Wheeler

The result of a decade of research, Clockwork Basilisk is a comprehensive, two-volume history of the rare revolvers that preceded the development of the well-known Colt guns of the 1830s.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.