I have a Marlin 1894C in .357, and think that under certain circumstances it would make a fine weapon for HD. But only if it can be kept loaded at all times. While having 9 or 10 rounds of .357 to bring to bear on a HD threat would probably do the job in most cases, you sure are not going to want to try to load the thing under fire or duress. Of course, this is a consideration for any HD weapon: keeping it handy vs. keeping it loaded. I no longer have kids routinely under foot, just grandkids visiting once in a while. The 1894C is mounted on the wall of my study, and several other rifles are on wall mounts, or otherwise readily accessible. But none of them are kept loaded, and thus none would be the gun I go to for HD. That gun, the one I would go to, if the handgun on my person or my nightstand is not enough, is a 12 ga shotgun, loaded and ready to fire, but kept under lock and key. If I were to use a lever gun as the HD weapon, I'd do the same: keep it loaded and ready to fire, but under lock and key.
In my case, "lock and key" is a locked closet/pantry space where I keep some firearms and ammunition that I don't want laying out and about when anybody is around, like the grand kids. For others, it might be a gun safe or gun cabinet. But I wouldn't leave a loaded lever gun around except under lock and key. Just not safe.
But I do like the Marlin.
In my case, "lock and key" is a locked closet/pantry space where I keep some firearms and ammunition that I don't want laying out and about when anybody is around, like the grand kids. For others, it might be a gun safe or gun cabinet. But I wouldn't leave a loaded lever gun around except under lock and key. Just not safe.
But I do like the Marlin.