I've owned, and hunted with a variety of these rifles over the years, from a 1910 vintage rifle, to one made in 1971.
I was lucky with that last one, I bought in new in 1971, not really understanding the issues that Winchester had gone through in the years 1965 to 1971. I say lucky, because I got a rifle with machined parts. '71 was the year of the change over. Some rifles that year were crap, others were not. I still have, and hunt with that rifle, it's taken everything from skunks, to moose, with the 30-30.
Other older rifle have not disappointed either.
I've handled the Miroku models. They seem like exceptionally good rifles. (better be for the $) Fit and finish is better than any New Haven built '94 Ive ever seen.
Marlin rifles are nice rifles in their own right, but to me, they are clunky compared to the much trimmer Winchester rifle.
I'd never put a scope on a lever gun anyway, but folks need to be reminded that the Miroku models can mount a low scope over the receiver. They feature angle eject.