I've thought for a long time that the pinnacle of lever action CF rifles featuring side-ejection and an exposed hammer is the Marlin 336. I have a few of them, all made between 20 and 60 years ago, all going strong.

The Henry, Mossberg, and Rossi CF lever action rifles don't really move me, but if forced to pick from that pool, I'd probably go with the Winchester 94 based Mossberg 464s with the Marinecoat finish, 16" barrel, and laminated wood.

EDIT: I went to the local Scheel's today, 08/23/12, and handled the Henry and Marlin side by side. The only thing that I liked about the Henry more than the Marlin were the sights. I didn't like the way the Henry's magazine is loaded and it isn't d&t for a scope. Also, Scheel's price was $100 more for the Henry than for the blued Marlin 336 and the same as for the stainless Marlin 336. Compared head to head, I'd always buy the Marlin over the Henry.

Jeff

We finally got around to testing the oct barrel'd gold henry 30-30.

Yeah it dry cycles smooth, but you need to work the action swiftly and with a little athority to actually cycle rounds through it. (a little prayer dont hurt either)

It shoots, goes boom. We shot short range, about 35 yds. It grouped fair, I need to drift the front sight a bit. it's hitting to the right of POA and the front sight is clearly not centered as it came out of the box, hoping that centering the dovetail front sight on the oct barrel will bring POI to center.

More later.