I agree that you can find some great deals in pawnshops, if you live in an area with lots of them and have the time to cruise.

For that matter, Gunbroker and AuctionArms have good deals pop up from time to time (I paid about $220 for a used Marlin with a Bushnell Elite 3200 scope; like buying a scope and getting a free rifle). But again, you've got to have the time and patience to wade through all that.

Sometimes, a bird in the hand, etc. etc.

Whatever you decide, Marlins are great rifles; hard to go wrong.