I AM A LONG TIME MARLIN SHOOTER AND COLLECTOR. FOR ME, ITS A NO BRAINER. GO WITH THE MARLIN. SIDE EJECTION LEAVES THE DOOR OPEN FOR EASY OPTICS MOUNTING, IF NEED BE. I WOULD SEARCH FOR A CLEAN OLDER ONE ON THE AUCTION SITES. I HAVE NO IDEA AS TO THE QUALITY OF THE NEWER ONES. THE LAST NEW ONE WAS A GUIDE GUN IN 45-70, THAT I PURCHASED WHEN THEY FIRST BECAME AVAILABLE. THAT WAS LONG BEFORE THE SALE OF THE COMPANY….

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.