I'm fairly new to lever action guns and have a few questions.

I'm sick of using the worn out one my club has to shoot the comps. Very clunky action and a lot of FTEs, I believe its a 1894 Winchester (top ejecting)

I'd be after something that I can mount a scope to. What models are side ejecting? (I'm aware of offset mounts for top ejectors)

Marlin 336C

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/centerfire/336c.asp

Pretty inexpensive, i've had one for 12 years now, and it has never let me down.

In fact most marlins, if not all are side ejecting. as well as the Browning BLR Series http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/finder.asp?f1=003B

Just curious, what caliber?

.38/357

Off hand I think Marlin (1894C & 1894CSS) and Henry (Big boy) have side ejecting 357's. Can't think of others off the top of my head at least in 357. I have a Puma 92 in 357 but it's top eject. I don't scope levers. I prefer peep sights. The Puma has a Marbles tang and all the Marlins have Williams Peeps. Mounting a Williams on a 1894 is kind of a pain if you don't want it hanging off the back. I just posted an image here: http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_47/380250_Marlin_336_low_light_sights_for_hunting_rifle_.html of my 1894SS in 44. I drilled and tapped a new hole to move the Williams forward a half inch.