Well, as a lever action afficianado, I can say this. Weight matters.
I mean, if you have a 6 1/2 pound 1894 Marlin in .44 Magnum, you know that this is right in the Goldilocks zone. Neither too heavy nor too light.
But, if you have a Henry Big Boy Classic brass at 8 1/2 pounds in .44 magnum, the thing is a brick. A beautiful brick, but way too heavy.
A Marlin 336 in .30-30 at 7 1/2 pounds seems just right too me, although 7 pounds would be okay too.
The various stubby 1895 Marlins seem just way too light for the bone-crushing loads that people shoot in them.
But the 22" version is more realistic.
I also have migrated to leverguns during the last 20 years or so.
I have tried most out there, bought and sold.
The journey is far from over.
I really like a narrow, flat receiver and flat forearm/ forend. This alone makes it more portable, in hand or in and out a saddle scabbard, imo
These days a guy has alot of chambering options.
Any levergun with a fat forearm is negated from my list or altered.
I have bought and sold the newer Marlin/ Remains and will not again. The reciever feels like it is made from pot metal to me and is very clunky.
I would like to try the newer Miroku / Browning 1895 some day...it looks ideal to me....my little old opinion
