Try this question out at the Marlin site where there is an NEF forum. Should find some users there.

I've seen and hefted a couple of these at shops. They seem to be a good value as are most NEF/H & R products. They added Williams sights to this model last year which are much better than the old buckhorns they had.

I'll stay with my '74 Sharps, but this would be a good entry-level piece.

"The whole problem with the world is that fools & fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubt" Bertrand Russell