Welcome to the Arena. Some purists might hate me for this, but every weapon I build plays a role and I like modularity and options, regardless of platform. After I was lucky enough to find one of these, I went to work. Polished the internals, worked the action about a thousand times, and began customizing to meet my needs. She's smooth as silk and shoots like a wet dream. I have situation-dependent options for lights and lasers, but I'd likely grab an M4 there if it came down to it. Who knows... There could be a follow-up post on this one with a WML-X and an ITAL slapped on her someday, but for now the base build feels complete.

- Marlin Dark Series 1895
- Midwest Industries M-lok Rail
- Ranger Point Precision Comet Muzzle Brake
- Ranger Point Precision Flyweight Loading Gate
- Ranger Point Precision Safety Delete
- Ranger Point Precision Trigger
- Leupold Deltapoint Pro Night Vision (2.5 moa - 179585)
- American Defense Manufacturing AD-TR-STD-TL mount (DPP mount with titanium lever)
- Hoptic USA 45-70 Quiver
- Arisaka Defense Low-Profile Rail Sections
- Magpul M-lok Rail Covers / Handstop Kit
- Arisaka Defense Low-Profile QD Sockets
- Magpul MS1 two-point sling with Magpul QDM Sling Swivels
- Versacarry 45-70 Ammo Caddy - Dyed Black [Thanks to Youtube, I'm now a self-proclaimed master in the art of leather dying through this project... All kidding aside, I am quite happy with how it turned out.]

Stock Setup from Marlin:


My Unique Twist:








Before and After Pics of Ammo Caddy:





Please post pics of your Marlin Dark builds, regardless of caliber, and details around any modifications made. Try to keep the discussion limited to the builds shown. If this is too niche, maybe we can open it up as a "Tactical Lever Action" Picture Thread.


ETA - 09/28/20:

Let's open it up. Hoping this one can gain traction as the Official "Tactical Lever Action" picture thread. Post pics of your builds, listing any modifications, and/or accessorizing you've done, regardless of manufacturer or caliber. Time to tap your inner operators. Color scheme and/or modular forearm should be the primary requirements, but I'm also thinking about accessories and custom work. Rails, slings, ammo quivers, caddies, lights, lasers, optics, suppressors... bayonets, masterkeys, grenade launchers, whatever. Last few were in jest, but you catch my drift. Then again, it is the internet... No cowboy guns.

Post your pics, people. Curious to see what everyone is running in this space. Please keep the discussions limited to the builds shown and remember, there is no right or wrong way. If it works for you, that's what matters.

This is not GD.

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Marlin Dark Series 1895 Build Update - 10/23/20:

I decided to experiment with a direct mounting option for the Deltapoint Pro. As someone mentioned previously, Leupold does offer a baseplate for this, but I went with the Skinner Sights plate since it's the lowest on the market. I'm going to get some range time in to try it out, but first impressions are that although the height over bore is dramatically reduced, the change to my cheek/chin weld on the stock is negligible (probably due to having a massive sasquatch skull). We'll see how she plays. Going to fiddle with the mount a bit more, as well, as it appears to be canted to the left ever so slightly. Wondering if this could be due to crooked receiver threads. It is a "Remlin". Maybe Ruger will do it better.

Picture thread...









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Marlin Dark Series 1895 Build Update - 11/14/20:

I started playing around with a few different configurations for an old Aimpoint LPI IR laser and also added an Inforce WML-X (IR). Still a work in progress, to include switch placement, but the one big takeaway was that with the lower Skinner mounting plate, there was a fair amount of noise out front in the sight picture. Since I was already leaning toward reverting back to the XS rail, this made it an easy decision. By bumping the DPP back up to XS height, there are no more visual interruptions. The height difference, to me, is hardly noticeable. Regarding the LPI, I was quite happy I was able to dig up this little fatty and give her new life. She's got the most crisp dot of any of the lasers in inventory, and when mounted to the 1:30 slot, the beam is perfectly in-line with the bore. I'll have to keep a closer eye on zero and bullet drop with the heavier 45-70, but it should do a nice job for anything inside 100 yards.

Here are some pics...













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Marlin Dark Series 1895 Build Update - 11/19/20:

She's done. I'm quite pleased with the ergonomics of this "almost final" configuration. Short of a Ranger Point Precision quick takedown screw (en route), this build represents my vision of a "Tactical Lever Action" rifle.











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Marlin Dark Series 336 "Scout" Build - 04/23/21:

Well, I think all mods to my new Marlin Dark 336 "Scout" are complete (for now). I'm at the seven week mark and still no sign of my Ultra Low scope rings shipping from Larue, but luckily I was able to find a set on the EE earlier this week. This is about as low as you can possibly get a scope on this rail. I'm digging how everything turned out.

- Marlin Dark Series 336 (30-30 Win)
- Ranger Point Precision Comet Muzzle Brake
- Ranger Point Precision Flyweight Loading Gate
- Ranger Point Precision Quick Takedown Screw
- Ranger Point Precision Safety Delete
- Ranger Point Precision Trigger
- Burris Scout Riflescope 2-7x32mm
- LaRue Tactical Ultra-Low Mount Rings QD (LT719)
- LaRue 30mm to 1 Inch Ring Inserts (LT136)
- Hoptic USA 30-30 Quiver
- Marlin paracord sling
- Versacarry 30-30 Ammo Caddy
- $8 plastic bipod for range zero and at-home "Bubba-Smith" photo-ops





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Marlin Dark Series 1895 Build Update - 02/26/23:

Pic heavy post below. I'm really liking the new Midwest forend with the full length picatinny rail. The EFLX is nice, with much clearer glass than the DPP. The Form rifle stock takes everything to a whole new level. Not going to fuck with this one much more, unless the optic craps out and I need to switch back to the DPP. I'll have to see what I want to do with the other rail. Maybe throw it on my Marlin Dark 336 Scout build. Enjoy...

First one I thought of was the Larue Tactical SPR-S Mount (LT158). Shorter that their other scope mounts, the center line on this one sits 1.44" above the top of the rail. Don't let the price intimidate you. You can sometimes find them second hand for much less. These are bomb proof, so I have no issue picking them up used.

Larue Tactical SPR-S Mount (LT158)

Not sure if there are shorter options, but it might be worth putting the feelers out there.

I went with these on my biathlon rifle

Millett 1" Angle-Loc Windage Adjustable Weaver-Style Rings 2 Extended Rings Gloss

Surely LaRue makes something with a longer gooseneck that would work?  I've had great luck with their products, and enjoy the QD feature's return to zero immensely.

Double tap.

They do... the SPR-E. This one extends the scope out further, but it will sit just a little higher above the rail than the SPR-S (short version). It depends what is more important to the man, height or distance. I think the "S" would work due to the limited rail footprint with the QD mount.

Larue Tactical SPR-E Mount (LT139)

I run the SPR-E (LT139) on my recce build. Might be too high for a lever gun, though.

@Steamedliver

A few options listed above, albeit they may be a little higher than you'd like: 1.44" center line over rail for the SPR-S and 1.5" center line over rail for the SPR-E.

This is what the base of the Larue mounts look like for reference. The only thing that could potentially interfere with the forward rail mounting screw are the two titties in the middle, but you could probably get them pretty far forward while still maximizing "rail estate."



Out of curiosity, I did some more digging and happened on the below offering from PRI, another quality manufacturer. Center line is much shorter at 1.22" over rail, which happens to be the same height as the red dot on my Delta Point Pro on my build. It also clamps on with two mounting screws, so you can probably straddle the rail screw with it. The price is right, too.

PRI 1" Cantileverd Low Rings

Just passed the 5mo mark waiting on my hybrid.  I hope I get the call soon!  I can’t wait to suppress this thing!

Damn. Sorry to hear. Are you planning on running it strictly on the 1895, or will it be shared with other guns? Seems pretty versatile.

I’m not sure yet.  I have other cans so I got it specifically for 45-70, but I’m sure I’ll use it for other things as well.  I’ve already purchased a bunch of different sized end caps so I’m sure it will get some use with other rifles as well.  It seems like it will be a good choice for subgun too.

I sold my 1895.  It was cool and all, just sort of a jack of all trades and master of none.  
The case volume makes it louder than 357/44/45, lower capacity, heavier, etc.  

I don't go elephant hunting so 44/45 is my favorite by far.  

Attached File

Ehhhhhhhhhhh!!!! Your first pic here! Proud of you, my man!

Was it the Dark that you sold?

I do worry I won’t shoot it much. I’ve only put a handful of rounds through it so far.  I do love my .357s most.  The 44 is awesome too!
Pic thread

I do like nice gun parts.  I’ve spent more than I should have on accessories for this 357 lever.  

I do have a slight issue spending twice the amount on the optic mount than the optic itself.  

That means I get the mount and better optic or get a less expensive mount.  

Ya know?

I do have a feeling I’ll be getting that LaRue mount, I do hate getting such an expensive mount in 1 inch diameter.

Like you said, it will just be a good excuse to upgrade your glass. These companies also make these in 30mm and 34mm, so you'll have more scope options to choose from, if that's the route you go. Good luck!

Then I’ll feel weird putting a nice optic on a gun that’s shooting 357 magnum.

Not a real precision gun.

It's quite the quagmire...

Do a 1-6 or similar.

what caliber was the prism originally for and how does it compute?

Here is the product page.  It was generally designed around ARs, so probably 5.56/.300/.308.  

If they made one that had just the horseshoe without ranging hashes, I would've bought that one instead; I'm more of a "set it and forget it" kinda guy for irons and optics, & prefer simpler, more intuitive reticles designs over the crazy hashes and marks.

Picture Thread.

Post... More... Pics...

Need that sweet, sweet "Tactical Lever" fix!

Got my QD swivels in.
Attached File


Now I’m waiting on a handstop (went with Arisaka’s Indexer) and I’m trying to decide on a flashlight mount (leaning toward either a Reptilia direct mount or the cheapest inline mount I can find).

Nice! Love to see the evolution in real time. Can't wait for the addition changes/updates.

Keep up the good work!

Arisaka Indexer added

Attached File



Just waiting on the Reptilia/Malkoff light to add an illumination source. I have an IR Illum head and I’ll have a White Illum head. I’ll use the IR Illum head while hunting. White Illum will live on it the rest of the time. Eventually, I might add another light body for White Illum.


Oh, and I realized that I have to stake the tenon in place. I couldn’t figure out why the hand-guard was wiggling... well, duh. I neglected to ask the gunsmith to do it.

Yeah, better get that wiggle sorted. Will lead to inconsistent groups when using the TOR. Still looking good, though. Were you still going to pull the trigger on the lower RPP top rail and/or RMR?

I just picked up my Marlin Dark 336 yesterday. Going to leave the wood furniture on this one, but add a few bells and whistles, to include a low profile LPVO scout scope forward of the action. Pics to follow.

Not at this time. Maybe a bit down the road though.

Here we go again... Marlin Dark 336 and Burris Scout 2-7x. Just started to mock a few things up today, but there's more in the mail from RPP, Hoptic USA, and elsewhere. Thinking about running the scope with a low Nightforce or Badger Unimount, or Larue ultra low qd rings.

It's going to be very hard to not shoot this, so I'm pretty much all in now.

No pictures, but I Shot my 1894CSBL today.  My 1894 can be a 3 or 4 MOA rifle with .357; with my .38 hand loads it's maybe 10+ MOA .

I also rediscovered that chasing a 100% zeroed load on a pistol cal lever action is stupid.  But that horseshoe on the prismatic is about perfect; donut of death, with a nice "right about here is the center-ish" aiming mechanism.

But 1894s/.357 lever actions are fun.  It's like a .22 on steroids.  Makes you slow down and enjoy each round more than an AR, but not quite to the "make every round count" shenanigans of a single shot.

Pics, or it never happened!

Just kidding... Glad you were able to get out there. It's more than I can say for the past few weeks.

I'll get pics up after it's outfitted with at least an RDS, but i walked into the LGS and they had one of the Citadel Levtac-92's in 357 for $750. A bit spendy I know, but I didn't care. Plus, the MI rail, threaded barrel and fancy peep sight have got to be worth something over a standard Rossi M92 that this is based off of. It's the first one I have personally seen in stock locally. Only thing I may do besides hang shit off of it is change over to a fancy Rossi M92 wood stock. Love the tactical and wood look. As of right now, it's a black plastic stock on it. 1 of many 357 lever guns I have. It joins a couple of Marlins, a Rossi Ranch hand and a Taylors 1873. It should feel right at home in the lever area of the safe.

Love all the pics in this thread. Been wanting to jump down this rabbit hole. It was only a matter of time.

Didn't know about that one until this post.  Looks like a fun setup!

Yes sir. If this one proves to be reliable, I am going to get one of the 454 Casull models for a thumper.

Does a silencer make you tactical enough?

I must've gotten lucky when I stumbled on a 357 dark, only one I've ever seen.  
I wanted a cst but have never seen one of those in person either.  
The action is slick, trigger is fine, and it cycles all ammo I've tried with no issue.  

Only thing I would change is real wood vs. the composite wood and 5/8 threads instead of 1/2.  

Attached File



My 44 Rossi is my all time favorite because it's so small/light.  

Attached File

Only if you refer to it by it's given tactical nomenclature of "sound suppressor." (Ain't no such thing as a "silencer.")

Nice find on the Dark 1894. Not many of those around.

Wow!! I am glad I found this thread.  Here is my Marlin 336 I tore apart and rebuilt.   I finished this about 8 months before the Dark’s were scheduled to be released.   Kind of frustrating , but it was fun to do.   Took an awful lot of crap for it , but haters can hate.   It is very nice suppressed.   Seeing all these pictures makes me want to finish hanging stuff on it.  Time to spend some money on new widgets and gidgets.  

Attached File

Your brain housing group was ahead of the times. Welcome to the party!

@schleutj


How do you like the saddle ring safety delete?


20

@KR20

It is an easy install.   I like the looks of it better too.

How loose is the ring?  Is it noise at all?  Can it support a sling?


Thanks

20

It is loose, but does not rattle excessively.  It is heavy enough that a sling can attach, but it does not balance well.   At least the little I tried with it.

Very nice! Welcome to The Arena

More pics

Found time this evening to add a couple items to the Levtac-92

I like it... If required, the cut VFG looks like it could double as a melee / impalement device!

Tactical, to the T!

Some of my RPP goodies started to arrive for my 336 Scout project. Still waiting on my RPP Quick Takedown Screw and Safety Delete, as well as another Versacarry Ammo Caddy and Hoptic USA Quiver.



For the Burris Scout, I've decided to go with the Larue Ultra-Low Rings (LT-719). These rings will allow me to maintain a quick release capability and can't really be beat when it comes to clearance with this rail/scope combo. There should only be 0.125" of clearance between the lowest point of the ocular end and the rail when mounted.

LaRue Tactical Ultra-Low Mount Rings QD, LT719

This is as tactical as my lever gun gets... R92 in 44 mag.

I like that. Is that a Dr. Pearson rail mount? If so how do you like it?

It's actually a Skinner Sights R92 rail. It uses the drilled and tapped holes on more recent R92 barrels. I like it fine, but the factory supplies screws were too short (they sent me longer ones for free) and the rail itself is Weaver spec, not Picatinney spec, so you need to be careful how you mount stuff.

I had a Pearson mount but returned it -- too much hardware and bulk for what I had in mind (red dot).

Any additional pics of Tactical Leverguns out there? I'm in an 8 week waiting period for Mark to fabricate my ultra-low rings and could use a pick-me-up.

Nothing until my hybrid comes in.  I’ve been waiting since July with no end in sight.  

I'm still waiting for my 336 to come back from the smith, should be this week or next. As soon as it's back I'll post some pics