1. Many of the really fast competitors have switched to '66 and '73 clones.
2. Many of the custom 'smiths are further tricking out said clones.
3. It is cute and trendy to verbalize the phrase, "Friends don't let friends shoot Marlins".
4. It is relatively easy to get a $1400 loan to cover the cost of the rifle and an action job.
5. They look more "period correct".
6. The Duke or Clint wouldn't have been caught dead with a Marlin.
7. It is rumored a wonderful new cleaner is on the horizon that will make BP clean-up a breeze.
8. The phrase "Made in Italy " is stamped on for tax purposes. They're actually made in Tennessee's Smoky Mountains near Dollywood.
A few reasons to choose a Marlin:
1. Unless the tooth fairy is punching additional holes near the center of my paper targets, my Marlins are more accurate.
2. Unless my timer is a liar, I shoot a Marlin faster.
3. BP clean-up is a snap.
4. I can do my own action jobs on the 2 or 3 Marlins I can buy for the price of one clone/action job.
5. Marlins are American-made.
Difficult choices.
