Interesting thread this one. I went through the same evaluation some time time ago. I found my favorite to be the Miroku Browning B92. My brother has one in 44 magnum. Unfortunately, I could not find one at the time and I wanted one in 45 Colt to go with my Ruger Vaqueros. The Miroku Winchester is identical to the Browning except it has the tang safety (some don’t like this, but it’s really a non issue as far as I am concerned) My research and hands on with the rifles included Marlin, Rossi, Henry, Browning, and Winchester. In my opinion, the Browning and Winchester beat out the others significantly. I also looked at the 73, 66, and 94 in addition to the 92. The 92 is the smoothest and handiest of them all. It is also the strongest action for whatever that is worth. The models considered were all modern available rifles. Another comparison is that I have a Winchester 30-30 model 94 produced in 1959.
I handled all the manufacturers listed above and the choice was easy.
In the end, I purchased a 1997 Miroku Winchester 92 in 45 Colt with the scroll work on the receiver; it is a beautiful rifle with the 24.25” barrel and a joy to shoot. The quality is outstanding and rivals the quality of the 1959 30-30. I put a Marbles tang peep sight and never looked back. It is a decision I would repeat again without even thinking about it.
That said I wanted a carbine version so last year I bought a Miroku Winchester 92 carbine in 45 Colt. It’s more utilitarian than the rifle in appearance, but no less quality and I’m less concerned with putting a scratch on it. The surprising thing is that I have found it to be more accurate than the rifle. I mounted a Marbles peep on it as well. At 100 yards, I can hit a 3” steel target repeatedly resting my elbow on a table. I do reload and have found 250 grain cowboy lead at 1050 FPS is extremely accurate and will work safely in all my 45 Colt arms. I get 900 FPS out of a revolver, 1050 out of the carbine , and 1150 out of the rifle.
Now, if we want to talk firepower, my Winchester 1886 Deluxe in 45-70 is the big medicine. Lever guns are great.