This year is definitely the Year of the Lever Gun, tactical and traditional, but there's one company that birthed the "black lever gun" trend: Marlin. Back in 2019, we were amused and intrigued by what was (at that time) a novelty ... and five years later, Marlin's still innovating while the others are catching up. This year, Marlin's introducing its Marlin 1895 Dark in .45-70, and we checked it out at the 2024 SHOT Show.
This new iteration of the 1895 Dark features a nylon-reinforced polymer stock, with M-Lok slots for optics and accessories, as well as QD cups to easily mount a sling. A cheek riser is included with the stock, for better eye alignment with a Picatinny rail-mounted optic. Feel like optics are too "2024" for you? A ghost ring rear sight and tritium front blade are included. At the stock's rear, a recoil pad helps sop up the force from heavy-thumping .45-70 rounds. MSRP $1,429; MarlinFirearms.com!
