First Rifle

[SabreHorsie]

I'm pretty sure I've seen some modified Marlins with a scout scope mount up front. Might want to check into that

btw: .357/.38! Cheaper than .30-30 and will serve your purposes fine

Problem is, it looks like Marlin only makes its pistol-calibre rifles with a straight stock, which I find both less comfortable and butt ugly. Of the Marlins listed on the website, only the Model 1895 in .45-70, the Model 444 in .444 Marlin and the Model 336 in .30-30 have pistol stocks; the rest are all straight-stock.

Hmmm...how hard is it to swap out the stock and lever on a Marlin? If it can be done as a reasonably affordable do-it-yourself modification, I'd probably be happy with a Marlin 1894 in .41 Magnum changed over to the pistol grip. Yes, I know .357 Mag / .38 Special is cheaper and more available, but I'm a fan of the 10mm AUTO and .41 Magnum.

 

[mnrivrat]

The receiver is different between the 336 and the 1894 models so I don't believe pistol grip is going to be an option on the 1894 (unless they made some this way at one time ?)

Winchester plant that made 94's is closed I believe - look for them to return with a 94 built outside the US, but not without some months of delay.

Sounding like the Marlin 336 in 30-30 is as good a choice for you as your going to find using your criteria. If wanting to mount a scout scope there are available mounts for the 336 via places like Ashley Outdoors, and Brockmansrifles.com

Good luck and keep refining your search and criteria until you get what you want - some variations of the lever guns have gone obsolete so looking into the used gun options may also be helpful. You can search Guns America or the auctions like Gun Broker and Auction Arms.