I’ve never been a big fan of the Marlin rifles nor for the Henry derivatives because they are a bit chunkier than their Winchester counterparts. But it would be really difficult for it to actually be heavier than 8.5 pounds.
For comparison purposes below (top to bottom):
- A Model 94 20” carbine in .30-30 weighing 6 pounds 10 oz. The 20” Model 94 carbine is arguably the gold standard for a handy woods gun. It balances with the hand under the receiver.
- A Model 94 LF 24” rifle with a rapid taper round barrel in .38-55 weighing 6 pounds 13 oz. It is impressive in terms of having 4” more barrel and only 3 oz more weight. Part of that is the larger bore diameter but most of it is the rapid taper round barrel. It balances with the center of the hand aligned with the front of the lever link.
- A Model 94 26” round barrel rifle in .30-30 weighing 7 pounds 14 oz. It’s a full pound heavier, and balances with the hand on the rear section of the fore arm. However, the balance is superb for off hand shooting and it swings extremely smoothly on moving targets.
- An Uberti Model 1894 26” octagon barrel rifle in .38-55 weighing 8 pounds 2 oz. Uberti’s barrel dimensions are spot on with Winchester specs and the only significant deviation I have found has been the slightly larger lever loop. It also balances extremely well.
So from that perspective, it’s a weight versus balance issue, with very little difference between the full size round and octagon barrels, and very little difference between the carbine and rapid taper round barrels.