I have a Marlin 1894 Cowboy Limited in 44 Magnum:
Pros: gorgeous looks, hard hitting fast handling and accurate out to 100 yards. Slim forearm, no checkering, higher grade wood, fat gold bead front sight.
Cons: tapered octagon barrel of cowboy models adds $200 to price, non folding primitive adjustable rear sight, no sling swivels or front sight hood. Drops like a football past 100 yards, with no tang sight the holdover is hard to do.
The standard 1894 model has a micro adjustable folding rear sight, the front sight hood, sling swivels and is tapped for a scope mount, and a fat forearm, barrel band and deeply pressed (don't think Marlin's checkering is cut) checkering (not all models have this, I've seen them smooth too).
You pay a LOT for the cowboy 'looks' and if you want to shoot past 125 yards you need an adjustable tang sight.
The 'Marlin jam' = work that lever like you mean it, and don't use overly long cartridges (some of my revolver handloads won't fit the action and jammed it up tight).