I had one of the regular 1895s for decades. It was one of the first gen guns with the crossbolt safety (which I never used) but I didn't hold that against it.
The gun was fine, smooth working, fair trigger, & accurate. Recoil was entirely dependent on what you shot out of it. Regular 405gr factory was a mild shove. Hot 385gr copper plated hardcast RN moving at about 1900fps was a vicious smack.
Had a 2.5x post scope on it and one young fellow tried it out with hot loads and earned himself a "Weatherby eyebrow". ME, I never had a problem, but it was too much, too soon for that young man.
I traded it off a couple years back, surplus to my needs (kept the scope
). I'd say if you go for one of the older ones, you'll have a pretty good rifle, if not as short and handy (and currently popularly trendy) as the Guide gun.
I have not been hearing much good about the Marlins made in the last couple years. Apparently QC problems are letting too much improper work leave the shop floor. Actually a bit understandable in these times, when (after worker safety) quality control is the first thing that gets cut when money is tight.
I note that I said I understood, not that I approved.
If I were in the market for a guide gun, and wanted the best I could get, I would scour the shops and the usual suspects for an older 1895, one with a good price due to finish wear, but with solid internals. Then I would have it worked to guide gun specs (or as close as I wanted for the money) and a refinish. I think it could be done for near the price (or maybe just a bit more) of a new guide gun of questionable factory quality. But that's just me.