The OP's question was regarding a friend purchasing a .35 "Lever Action"......
Neither Remington nor Ruger have ever produced a lever action .35Rem.
Remington made the model 8 in the 1908-1920's era. (a semi-auto).
Ruger has never to my knowledge chambered anything in .35Rem. (not to be confused with the .358win.)
Remington has chambered the Model 600 and 660 in .35 as well as the Mod-7 "bolt actions"... It also has chambered the Mod 760 "slide action" in .35Rem. I've owned one, and it was the most accurate of the type that I've owned. (either semi-auto or pump/slide actioned Remington).
However, only Marlin and Mossberg have ever chambered the .35 in a lever. Hence, and currently only Marlin chambers the .35 in a lever.
Savage for a short time made a Slide action in .35.
So, it'll have to be a Marlin, but, that ain't bad!
My Marlin 336C in .35Rem is a 1970's vintage rifle, and with loads it likes is capabable of MOA, and kills deer as well as anything "legal" to use for the job.
But, personally, faced with the choice, I'd probably opt for the new .338 Marlin Express. But, nothing is wrong with the .35Rem. especially with the new Hornady LeverEvolution, not "revolution".......