Marlin dark series

[north american hunter]

anyone have one? how do you like it?

looking at getting one, even though they seem to be sold out everywhere.

thanks.

[6MT]

I don’t have one, mine is a 1895GBL. But I shot one at the range. It had peep sights on it. Very nice! It was factory ammo that I was shooting, no hand loads. Still, it’s a shoulder ripper. Very accurate at 100m too. Smooth action. But loading those big rounds (45-70) into the loading gate is not a quick operation.

I liked it so much, I bought the GBL.

[obsessed1]

I got one of the last ones in Canada it seems. 45-70. Stock fit was only ok fortunately the wood was proud of the metal. Easy 1/2 fix w a bit of sanding/ painting. Action was smooth and cycled properly right off the bat although I did hone the sear and trim up the hammer spring to lighten things up a bit. It shoots moa with both my 350 gr hornady handloads and my 405 hard cast loads. The sights are very functional for shots out to about 100 yds on a 8" plate. All in all I'm very happy with it. Good luck to you finding another one for a reasonable price....perhaps when ruger gets them back into production things will be better

[fordtruckin]

Seen them and would love one in 30/30 to run suppressed but can’t wrap my head around the prices they are asking!

[obsessed1]

Originally Posted by fordtruckin

Seen them and would love one in 30/30 to run suppressed but can’t wrap my head around the prices they are asking!

My 45-70 was 1300$ CDN. I've seen them pop up used stateside for almost twice that USD

[obsessed1]

If your not stuck on getting the dark there does seem to be a few trappers and sbl s around. Only reason I went with the dark over sbl was price. Both the sbl and dark won over the trapper for me because of the irons and scope mounting options. The Skinner that comes on the trapper needs to be removed in order to mount a scope Iirc Skinner does have a peep with integral scope mount available but it's not the one that comes on the trapper... Put your hands on any of the short barrel thumpers and I'm sure you'll be hooked.

[fordtruckin]

Originally Posted by obsessed1

My 45-70 was 1300$ CDN. I've seen them pop up used stateside for almost twice that USD

Precisely! No rhyme or reason to why somethings are more expensive down here vs up there and Vice verse.

[JamesB]

Marlin was sold to Ruger. They are not in production right now, have not indicated what their 2021 pricing might be and have not even asked for orders for 2021.

In Ruger's latest press release, CEO Killoy says the company looks "forward to reintroducing Marlin rifles in the latter half of 2021."

[north american hunter]

I did not know that, thanks

[Dean2]

Never had the Dark series but have had quite a few 1895s in 45-70. My two favourites are a late 80s 22" barrel version that is Magnaported and the 18.5" barrelled, magnaported Guide gun versions in Stainless. The ones made by Remington in the last 8 years were actually excellent guns, well fitted and very accurate. The ones made in the last 5 years when Marlin still owned it are pure crap as the machines were worn right out, as were the ones made by Remington after they bought Marlin in Dec 2007, for the first few years they had it. Remington eventually scrapped all the old Marlin machinery, moved the plant in 2010 and started with fresh machinery. Since everything you will find is old stock or used I would suggest you focus on guns with serial numbers showing they were made after 2015, though if you get an actual Dark they were introduced in 2019 so it will be one of the better built versions. Best of luck, they are a great lever gun.

[freeride]

The price of the dark series went through the roof too.

I would look at what you like about it then look at some other models and see if you cant customize those for less money to be your "dark series"

If your really set on everything the dark series has, then yes its probably still cheaper buying it all set up. But its something to consider.

Myself I picked up a ABL last year (just the GBL with a grey laminate stock), it was used at a store with a leupold vx2 1-4 on it, but I got it cerakoted, a custom leather cartridge holder on the way, and could get an xs rail or skinner sights and still be less then what a dark series goes for now.

[cdmc]

A 336 with a Midwest rail.

[tranq78]

Interesting thread. I had not realized Marlin 1895's aren't being produced right now. I took a look at a couple of online stores, yup, not a single 1895 45/70.

How much is a basic wood Marlin 1895 45/70 going for these days? Over $1,000 used?