Estimated reading time: 11 minutes
Introducing the Marlin Dark Series Model 1895, a formidable addition to the world of tactical lever actions. Chambered in 45-70 Govt with a 5+1 capacity, the Model 1895 offers power and modularity in a sleek package. Its nylon-reinforced polymer stock, equipped with a removable cheek riser, ensures comfort and adaptability for various shooting configurations. The anodized aluminum M-LOK handguard provides ample space for accessory attachment, while the integrated Picatinny rail offers additional versatility for mounting optics or other accessories. You have stumbled into the right place for those looking for a modern tactical lever action.
Marlin Model 1895 Specifications:
- Caliber: 45-70 Govt
- Capacity: 5+1
- Stock: Nylon Reinforced Polymer
- Material: Alloy Steel
- Finish: Satin Black
- Front Sight: Fiber Optic with Tritium Ring
- Rear Sight: Adjustable Ghost Ring
- Weight: 7 lb.
- Overall Length: 35.50″
- Length of Pull: 13.50″
- Barrel Length: 16.17″
- Barrel: Cold Hammer-Forged Alloy Steel
- Thread Pattern: 11/16″-24
- Twist: 1:20″ RH
The Model 1895 Out of the Box
Marlin ships out the Model 1895 from the factory with an offset hammer spur, cheek riser, muzzle brake, Allen wrench, gun lock, stickers, and an owner’s manual. The Dark series is currently available in 45-70 Govt, and 30-30 Win with 44 Rem Mag being added in the near future.
While I didn’t use the included offset hammer spur, some people will appreciate its addition.
Stock
The Model 1895 features a nylon-reinforced polymer stock that can nearly do it all. Utilizing a removable cheek riser, I was able to have a comfortable cheek weld whether using an LPVO or the iron sights. The one downside here is that it’s either on or off, and it’s a very snug fit to attach or remove the cheek riser. It’s got a large rubber butt pad that helps absorb the recoil of the mighty 45-70 cartridge. I could tell that the recoil pad made a difference. Near the trigger, the grip also features mild texturing to help maintain a solid grip. Also, the stock includes a steel QD socket for mounting a two-point sling. Steel inserts are the way to go for durability. I have had aluminum QD inserts waller out with time, but steel holds up great.
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Handguard
When it comes to modernizing a lever gun, adding an M-LOK handguard is probably the most visual way to do it. The Model 1895 uses an anodized aluminum handguard which has M-LOK slots at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock. Towards the front, it also features additional M-LOK slots between 3 & 6, and 6 & 9.
This allowed me to mount two Midwest Industries shell holders, a Valhalla Tactical weapon light, and then my QD sling all to the handguard. Accessorizing firearms is the modern thing to do, and this slim and lightweight handguard gives you options.
Hiding discreetly beneath the handguard is the shell tube of the Marlin Model 1895. With a capacity to hold up to 5 rounds of the formidable 45-70 caliber, this tube ensures shooters are well-equipped for any task at hand. Its concealed placement maintains the rifle’s sleek profile while providing quick and easy access to additional rounds when needed.
Lever
The receiver, lever, and trigger guard plate are all CNC machined from alloy steel and feature a graphite black Cerakote finish. It also utilizes a push-button, cross-bolt manual safety, and traditional half-cock hammer. The mid-sized lever feeds well and is comfortable to quickly operate.
Sights
One of the great features of this lever action is the inclusion of a lengthy top Picatinny rail section. This provides a solid surface for mounting a variety of optics. My one complaint is that at around rail slot 7, two screws get in the way. This caused me to remove the rear sight to avoid mounting a one-piece scope mount further forward than I would have liked.
The Model 1895 features a ghost ring rear and green fiber optic front sight. The front sight has a tritium ring for improved visibility in low-light conditions as well. While I mainly used the Vortex Venom 1-6 for this review, it is nice to have a solid set of irons ready to go right from the factory.
Barrel On The Model 1895
The 16.17″ cold hammer-forged barrel did its job and comes with 11/16”-24 threads for attaching muzzle brakes or suppressors. Its 1:20″ RH twist with 6-groove rifling effectively stabilized projectiles ranging from 250 to 430 grains. While it comes with a radial brake, I opted to use this rifle with a suppressor. The threaded barrel adds a modern touch to the lever gun, and shooting it suppressed was a pleasant experience. My SilencerCo Hybrid surprisingly did a good job reducing the noise of this 45-70 rifle.
Precision
Throughout this review, most of the ammunition used was supplied by Buffalo Bore. They are the official ammo sponsor for this review and offer many types of munitions. They sent out some 300, 350, 405, and 430gr ammo, and it all ran flawlessly. While I have never hunted buffalo, I fully believe these rounds could live up to the company name and be effective for this planet’s largest game.
Besides shooting steel and running some drills, I aimed to test the precision of the Marlin Model 1895 using an assortment of various Buffalo Bore and Hornady ammunition. I proceeded to shoot 3-round groups from 50 yards. I was able to get a few sub-inch groups with Hornady 250gr MonoFlex but most types of ammo got closer to the 1.5″ mark. However, for a 45-70, this seems plenty reasonable to me. I took a beating shooting this lever gun and would believe that it could group even tighter in the right hands.
| Ammunition | Group Size (inches) |
| Buffalo Bore 300gr JHP | 1.296 |
| Buffalo Bore 350gr Barnes TSX-FN | 1.040 |
| Buffalo Bore 405gr JFN | 1.790 |
| Buffalo Bore 430gr Hard Cast LBT-LFN | 3.511 |
| Hornady 250 gr Monoflex | 0.727 |
| Hornady 325gr FTX | 1.162 |
Handguard Issue
During this review, I ended up breaking this lever gun. Now it wasn’t anything that would keep it from running, but the handguard broke off twice… After firing just 12 rounds, the tenon that goes between the shell tube and the barrel sheared off on both sides. This caused the handguard to be completely detached from the Model 1895.
Thinking it was a fluke, I reached out to Marlin’s customer service and they sent me out another tenon which proceeded to only last for 8 rounds before shearing the right side of the tenon, and the screw head on the left side.
After 4 months of back and forth, Marlin told me that though they couldn’t break a tenon replicating my setup (lots of accessories mounted to one side of the rail), they are now shipping the Model 1895 with a stronger upgraded tenon. While this wasn’t great to find for myself, I am happy that Marlin took it seriously and worked to find a solution. However, I have been waiting for an additional 3 months since they told me they had new tenons to get a finished rifle back out to finish testing. I still have yet to receive it, which leads me to believe Marlin seemingly doesn’t have them in hand yet so buyer beware.
Marlin Model 1895 Performance
In the process of the handguard breaking it also bent the shell tube which caused feeding issues. However, these were not present beforehand. Besides the obvious problem of the handguard issue, the Marlin Dark Series Model 1895 ran pretty well. I spent the majority of my time shooting it without a handguard even attached which was boring, yet very sleek and lightweight.
I was able to achieve around 2 MOA groups which are good enough precision for any distance I would intend to shoot 45-70 anyways. When working properly, the full-length M-LOK handguard offers a lot of versatility to truly modernize a lever gun. It is easy to add shell holders and weapon lights. Also, in my mind being able to shoot suppressed is a huge win. The Model 1895 shoots quite with a suppressor and subsonic ammunition due to the action only moving when the user decides to actuate it.
READ MORE: Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Review: A Modern Take on an American Classic
Summary Of The Model 1895
When it comes to tactical lever actions, the Marlin Model 1895 gives you all the functionality you could ask for. It maintains the slim and lightweight profile lever guns are known for while incorporating a threaded barrel, M-LOK aluminum handguard, Picatinny rail, and a cheek riser. Other than the handguard tenon issue, this lever gun performed well and handled 250-430gr ammunition with ease. It sounded great suppressed, and the 45-70 variant I tested packs a punch. However, it’s worth noting that while the MSRP sits at $1429, the current street price hovers around $1800, which might give some potential buyers pause.
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