I've owned a few (economicaly priced) CVA's, StagHorn, StagHorn Magnum, HunterBolt Mag. And for the money they were some good shooter's. The bluing on these also was'nt top notch. But they put some Deer in the Freezer and that's what counted. I actually got attached to them like you. But each year I had to buy a new and better model as to keep up with the Jone's.
Like Cayugad said (you got the new Gun Flu) and there is no Vaccine for this and it never goes away it just get's worse and worse. If you really like the ML than keep it, but for about what your Friend want's to give you for your's, and like MountainDevil54 said you can get a ACCURA for around 250, and that's 3 times the ML for the money and it is a good shooter.
I guess if it was up to me, I'd upgrade to a ACCURA or something else to your likeing, then when the Flu hit's you next time you have a better ML to bargain with.
Best of Luck to you.
(BP)