I have a Marlin lever action in .44. I love it. Everything about it is great, the accurracy, fit/finish, etc. I am saving my pennies for a .357/.38 caliber one as well. I am in NJ as well. The pistol caliber lever actions by Marlin are great for us NJ residents since we have very few true rifle ranges. Marlin's pistol caliber rifles can be shot in most pistol ranges in NJ and as far as I know the politicians have not tried to ban lever action rifles, at least not yet.