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The staying power of lever-action rifles and the .45-70 Gov\u2019t cartridge is nothing short of remarkable given all that\u2019s transpired since they were introduced. Once again, Marlin has combined these two creations of the 1800s and, in the process, has trotted out yet another fabulous rifle and achieved an interesting milestone.<\/p>\n
The milestone is as quaint as it is surprising. The Marlin Dark Series Model 1895 is the company\u2019s first lever gun to wear something other than a wood stock \u2014 a fact that took me aback when it was pointed out given the ubiquity of synthetic stocks today. The butt is made from a nylon-reinforced polymer while the machined aluminum fore-end feels more like a handguard from a chassis rifle or AR than typical lever-gun furniture.<\/p>\n
The use of these new materials works, both with respect to the rifle\u2019s post-apocalyptic aesthetics and its functionality. The Marlin Dark Series Model 1895 is rugged and good-looking and is an ideal thumper for hogs, deer in thick timber, protection against bears, and all-around survival tasks.<\/p>\n