As much as I like my Marlin leverguns, the have not been my primary for about 10+ years. From the age of 12-mid 30's, I always had a 30-30, 35 rem, 444 or 308 Marlin Express as my primary and then found out what lightweight bolt actions could do. I still have a couple in the safe including the one given to me at 12 years old(will never part with) and get them out occasionally. As I now hit my 50's, I think a lot about going back to them