I have a WIN 94 that was purchased in 1985 that was angle eject and have had a scope on it since then. It is a sweet shooting gun and has taken 69 deer so far. I've never shot a Marlin, but I hear they are just as good. As for being dropped, bounced around on the back of a 4wheeler, dropped in the creek (tree I was walking on broke....LOL[] ), and all kinds of othe little mishaps, I don't think any other gun would take such a beating!! Just my opinion tho...