45 Colt Lever gun - which one?

[Wheeler]

Somewhere I have a magazine article where a guy hotrodded cut down 454 cases with decent results.

That's sort of funny. The .454 was developed by stretching out .45 Colt cases.

[Buckshot]

I gotta pipe up on this one. Any Marlin built in Illion NY is a BIG question mark, especially in pistol calibers - feeding & action timing problems abound! Older, pre Illion Marlins are GTG. Miroku 92s are outstanding. Brazilian 92s are usually fine & seem to be improving in QC. Don't know how long the Brazilian locking lugs would stay tight with heavy loads, though. Also, just because the same plant builds the Brazilian guns, they aren't necessarily made to the same fit & finish for each brand.