I bought one in May `07 DEACONLLB when they first came out and really like it. I've always been a fan of top lever break-open guns and fell for it based on the picture in the Lyman catalog. Didn't actually see one until mine arrived in the big brown truck.
Mine is no tack driver but I have a few loads that will stay under two-inches at 100 yards - adequate for hunting. The trigger on mine was not very good. It was rough and creepy and I had to work it over to get it to my liking. I like the looks and feel of the gun and don't plan on getting rid of it. The action is rock solid and tight. Barrel fit to the hinge and breech is excellent. I have over a thousand rounds out of mine and it shows no signs of becoming loose. The sliding safety is a neat feature, as is the magnetic ring on the breech plug which just sucks the 209 primers into place. That "very nice wood" is actually a faux finish over straight grained beech. I think it's applied with some sort of dipping process. Everyone who has held mine has admired the fancy walnut stock without ever guessing. Mine has held up quite well through two hunting seasons and many, many range sessions with no sign of chipping or scratching. I've heard Lyman improved the trigger action after the first year of production, but don't know that to be a fact.
EDIT: The good thing about buying from someplace like Cabala's is that you can check the trigger pull before you buy. I STRONGLY suggest that if you decide to buy one from Cabala's you ask to see the gun department manager and tell him you will buy the gun for $300 and see what happens. I'll bet you get it for that price.