I'll 2nd that about the feel. A 16" barreled levergun feels poorly balanced to me. There isn't enough weight on the barrel (...)
That's pretty much the point: Short, light, and handy.
There is no free lunch. It means that people that prefer muzzle-heavy rifles for stability won't like them. But short, light, and handy are the primary driving forces behind 16" lever guns.
My 20" and 22" barrel lever guns feel good. But, sometimes... I want something shorter and lighter.
And yes, the sight radius is really short; 14½" on a 16" carbine.
As mentioned earlier, sight radius can be extended with a receiver-mounted sight. (or tang sight)
Carefully choosing sights can also provide more precision, which can negate the 'loss of precision' that comes with a short sight radius.
I spent about a year (maybe more), on and off, refining a receiver sight design, and figuring out what front sight to pair with it, for a .30-30 Marlin 336 with a 16.125" barrel.
Sight radius is now just shy of 16".
Everyone that tries that sight combination loves it.
The first time tested in the current (almost certainly
final) configuration, it quickly progressed from sight verification at about 60 yards, to head shots on an "IPSC" steel target at 390 yards, for everyone but the guys that "can't see anything without a scope any more". ...But, of course, it was already proven to be a very accurate rifle. Changing sights or scoping a "shotgun pattern" rifle won't make it shoot any better. Ya gotsta have good bones ta build off'a.
No, not everyone needs to design a bespoke sight for their rifle. There are plenty of good options on the market. I just prefer drawing outside the lines.
This is the sight's profile. One would think that the semi-buckhorn shape would be less than ideal, and that it would reduce field of view too much and become a handicap; but it pairs very well with a fine brass bead front sight blade. (5/64" bead, I believe)
Perspective view. Orthographic makes it look funky.