I held one a few years ago and found it to be built like a tank and heavy. It reminded me of how Ruger built many of it's durable guns over the years. But, I think years of packing my customized Marlin 1895 in 45-70 influenced me, as it is lighter and has a sender forearm. The Marlin is very popular here in Alaska and 45-70 components easy to find and maybe cheaper then 500 S&W and the 45-70 after all these years still has plenty of the "right stuff" to take any critter in America.
But, if one has the itch then heck ya, buy one and scratch that itch! That's what I did when I bought a Mirkoru made Winchester Mod. 71 Deluxe awhile back. Gun smith has it and making it into a .348 Ackley Improved. With my Win. Big Bore .356 and 45-70 and Mod. 94 in .44 mag. ain't like I needed it. But, I have had the itch for a old school lever gun tossing 250 grain .35 caliber bullets at close to 2,500 fps mv. The .348 Ackley Improved will do that and my itch will have been scratched, for now. LOL
