I have a Marlin Lever in 44Mag, it is a real game getter! I love it.. several one shot stops on deer..
I picked it up in a trade and the previous owner had it cut down to 16". Heck before they changed the Carbine rules in my department, I carried it on Patrol. Once we were processing some prisoners on a Burglary, and one of them said to another, "Man that Cop pulled a gun on me what had three barrels!" (there was a 1.5 Leopold on top)
However I have never checked the rate of twist, It hit what I was shooting at, so I never looked into it. I know that It handles Hot 180 hand loads without a whimper, and it shoots pretty tight. It handles 240 gr factory ammo with equal results.
44Mag Rifle/carbine for a truck gun, brush hunter, farm gun, WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER!!! Great choice....