From my experience, I'm not sure you can give Winchester a pass for everything that they put out in pistol caliber lever guns. I've bought several lever guns from various makers in the past, and the worst of the bunch was a Model 94 Trapper in 45 LC. It chewed up and badly scratched brass just chambering a round through the action.
I took it to a Smith who polished it up. When I returned to get it, he told me he had never seen so many "porcupine quills" left on the mechanism of a lever action rifle in his life. After his work it was acceptable, but it was an abortion right out of the box.
Other models bought did not include a Henry, but I have bought several of their RF lever guns and they have been smooth and good shooters. My grand kids love them. The larger ones in pistol calibers and rifle cartridges just don't feel good in my hands.
I've had good luck with the Rossi brand and with the Uberti brand. The Rossi needs to have the screwy top mounted safety lever replaced, but I have several of the smooth buttons on hand to do that, which is a quick 15 minute fix. I especially like the Uberti lever guns, especially the Model 1873's. Good quality and good looks too.
Marlins lever action rifles have a long accepted and well proven history of reliability and quality that very few people can argue about.