I have a Marlin in 357/38 and I love mine. I shoot cowboy action shooting and put a ton of rounds through it. I actually just got back from rabbit hunting with my father and I. We both used our cowboy lever actions. I have a full buckhorn sight on mine which I use like a peep sight. http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=646052

Had a blast shooting rabbits with mine. 38 Special light loads of coarse. Little overkill but trying to get my new pup trained for rabbits.

As stated above, the half cock is the way to go carry it. The newer ones have the crossbolt safety, which I actually dont like, but the lawyers have to make a living too I suppose.