Well, I can’t show it to you in person or send you a photo of it so I suppose you’ll just have to go on my word, a mans word is still worth something today right ? I know a canted sight when I see one and the guy behind the counter agreed, the barrel was not over clocked as I looked closely for that issue myself, I’ve built muzzleloaders with octagon barrels and cut sight dovetails both by hand and on the mill, mine aren’t canted, my point is, a major manufacturing corporation should have a better quality control department, especially if they are serious about getting their reputation for quality back, I have several older Marlins, non have had to have the extensive work needed that you’ve experienced, it boils down to I don’t believe I should need to time a barrel or do extensive work on a thousand rifle to get it functional, ymmv.