I have to be honest, I have had three Marlin 1895s including the guide gun, 2 Ruger #1s, a Ruger #3, now 3 Henrys including the new all weather , with the loading gate and 18.5 inch barrel, all in 45-70. I do reload, and was stationed in Kodiak , Alaska, and loaded for brown bear. The Ruger #3, was the worst as far as recoil goes, followed closely by the Marlin guide gun, and the Henry with the 18.5 inch barrel.
I now have a Henry with a 22 inch octagon barrel, and it is considered a rifle, and it weighs in at 8.1 lb empty.
If you are recoil sensitive, go with the long barrels, can even get a 1886 45-70 with 24 and 36 inch barrels. I have heard they weigh in at 9 lbs.
I guess it just depends on what you really want. For carrying, the Marlin guide gun or the Henry all weather, with 18.5 inch barrel are the best to carry. For shooting, the rifles are the best.