Since Ruger resurrected the Marlin brand in 2020, the company has brought back many classic Marlin lever guns, including the 1895, 336 and 1894. Marlin’s latest lever-action rifle, a collaboration with Mad Pig Customs that is a far cry from traditional, delivers “modern, factory‑installed features previously found only on custom builds,” according to the company.
Mad Pig Customs, a lever-action specialty company whose tagline is “dragging lever guns into the modern age,” does just that with the Marlin 1894. Collaborating with Marlin on the design, starting with a .357 Mag.-chambered model with a 16-inch cold hammer-forged barrel, the companies add a Midwest Industries stock. The stock is made of hard coat anodized 6061 aluminum and has an adjustable length-of-pull, an adjustable polymer cheekpiece, a rubber recoil pad, M-Lok slots for attaching accessories, and QD sockets and a QD stud for sling mounting. Mad Pig grip panels customize the stock’s look.
The handguard and sighting system are also by Midwest Industries with the same aluminum construction. Extending nearly to the end of the rifle’s eight-round tubular magazine, the handguard has M-Lok slots and a QD swivel stud. Along its top edge is an M1913 Picatinny rail that extends rearward over the receiver. An adjustable “ghost ring” rear aperture sight mounts to the rail, and a front post with protective ears is mounted to the barrel.
The barrel’s muzzle is threaded ½ x 28 TPI and is fitted with an Angled Spade Technologies Scepter‑PB low‑profile radial‑ported muzzle brake that is compatible with Plan B suppressor adapters.
Mad Pig Customs parts include the lever, an enhanced takedown screw for toolless field stripping, and the company’s enhanced magazine follower, which is made of 7075 T6 aluminum and given a Teflon coating for reliability and lubricity. To finish off the custom look, the receiver, bolt, barrel, and magazine tube are given a Magpul OD Green Cerakote finish.
The resulting rifle has an overall length of 34.5 inches and weighs 7.3 pounds. It has an MSRP of $2,999. For more information, see the company’s website.
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