well, i gotta agree that is savage was desired then that should have been purchased. I'm very loyal to Marlin...infact thats the only centerfire i own and with the exception of one Winchester, the only rimfire. My 917V can shoot thumbtacks down at 65yards w/ ease, action is nice. I was open at the beginning too, considered the Savage. I looked at the Savage models though and they seemed of far less quality when compared to the other brands. I know they seem to be picky on ammo. Me and my buddies 917s only want fed Fed. V-max and nothing else. However I do plan on aHenry .17 sometime next year since Marlin has no talk of a lever .17.