Editor’s Choice: Marlin 1894 Dark

by
posted on May 4, 2020
** 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. **
marlindar.jpg

Marlin launched its blacked-out Dark series of lever-action rifles in 2019 to great success, helping to spearhead this year’s tactical lever gun trend.

Inaugural offerings included a .30-30 Win.-chambered Model 336 and a .45-70 Gov’t-chambered Model 1895, and for 2020 the Ilion-based manufacturer has added a pair of Model 1894s to the line.

Chambered to fire either .357 Mag./.38 Spl. or .44 Mag./.44 Spl., the new Dark 1894s measure a compact 34" long with a handy 16.25" threaded barrel.

Other practical features include a matte-black Parkerized metal finish, a painted and textured wood laminate pistol-grip stock and fore-end, an 11" Lever Rail Ghost Ring WS from XS Sights that accommodates virtually all sighting options, a comfortable paracord-wrapped big-loop lever and a black paracord sling.

With tubular magazines that extend nearly all the way to the muzzle, the two Marlin 1894 Dark models both share a capacity of eight-plus-one rounds. For more information on this new offering, visit
marlinfirearms.com.

Latest

Armed Citizen Podcast John Lott 1
Armed Citizen Podcast John Lott 1

Why the Murder Rate Quickly Fell to a Likely Historic Low

If the gun-control Left is to be believed, then the murder rate in the U.S. should be going up. After all, gun sales and ownership rates have been rising for the last few decades and anti-gun groups claim that gun ownership is the cause of violent crime. This, of course, is nonsense.

16 New Bolt-Action Rifles for 2026

From cutting-edge precision rifles designed for competition or hunting to traditionally styled guns that emulate designs from yesteryear, 2026 saw the introduction of an incredible array of bolt-action rifles.

Review: Chiappa Rhino 60DS 10 mm Auto

The Italian-designed-and-manufactured Chiappa Rhino remains unique today as the only current revolver with the barrel mounted at the bottom of the frame, firing from the chamber at the 6-o’clock position.

5 New Large-Format Pistols for 2026

There's been a huge surge in the large-format pistol category, and 2026 continues to showcase new models answering the wants and needs of today's firearm owners.

Short & Powerful: The EOTech Vudu 4-12x36 mm Super Short Riflescope

EOTech's ultra-compact 3-9x32 mm Vudu was a popular addition to the company's variable-powered riflescope line, and the new 4-12x36 mm Vudu ups the ante with new features in a still-compact package.

The Armed Citizen® May 11, 2026

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

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.