Marlin Model 1895 Trapper – The Mag Life

Whether you’re a fan of levers or not, there’s no denying the beauty of a nicely designed lever-action rifle. You also have to admit the launch of modern levers based on classic styles is a fantastic blend of the past and future, and Ruger is proving it by re-introducing the Marlin Firearms Model 1895 Trapper. This rifle isn’t just a re-launch of a classic, it’s destined to become a classic in its own right.

Ruger has this to say about it:

The Marlin 1895 Trapper was conceived by hunting and fishing guides in Alaska who needed a big-bore rifle that was short, quick-handling and optimized for hunting or protection from dangerous animals. Chambered in .45-70 Govt., this latest Marlin offering from Ruger features a 16.17”, cold hammer-forged barrel with a 1:20” twist. The threaded barrel (11/16”-24), comes with a match-polished thread protector and will accommodate common muzzle devices.

The stainless steel receiver, lever, magazine tube and barrel feature an attractive non-glare, satin finish – as do all of the small, nickel-plated parts. The bolt is spiral-fluted and nickel-plated for an attractive appearance and very smooth cycling.

Features of the Marlin Model 1895 Trapper include:

• Adjustable Skinner Sights peep sights for rapid target acquisition
• Improved stock finish and checkering for a better grip with wet hands
• Refined, streamlined stock and forend for maneuverability and aesthetic purposes
• Threaded barrel with factory-installed thread protector
• The location of manufacture on the barrel now reads “Mayodan, NC.”
• A new “RP” proof mark is located on the left side of the firearm.
• Ruger-made Marlin rifles begin with the serial prefix of “RM.”
• The traditional black and white Marlin bullseye located on the rifle stock is now red and white.
• Marlin Horse and Rider logo laser engraved on the grip.

The Marlin Firearms Model 1895 Trapper is a carbine-length, lever-action gun with a 5 +1 capacity. It’s chambered in 45-70 Government and designed to be both aesthetically pleasing and a reliable performer. Some changes have been made to the gun with this re-introduction by Ruger, but they all appear to be excellent improvements. According to Ruger, the Trapper was designed to tighter tolerances and was put through multiple layers of quality control including accuracy audits and numerous inspections.

Specifications

Do you own a lever-action rifle? Which model is your favorite? Tell us about it in the comments section.