One more time. I decided I can' t deal with the Marlin NM mag hanging down that far. So the choice is between:

Marlin 83 TS synthetic stock, blued barrel. Think 25NM with a synthetic stock and a 12 shot tube mag. $178 out the door. Gives me the synthetic stock that I really want and no clip hanging down. I can live with a tube mag, they aren' t all that bad.

Savage 93F synthetic stock, blued barrel clip mag 5 shot $146 out the door.

Although I will probably get the one I get at walmart so the price difference shrinks to $28.. $149 or $177 plus tax..

Thanks! Sorry about all the posts!! This is tough. They are pretty close. The savage has a straight comb and the Marlin is a monte Carlo style which I kind of like better. Slower for quick shots but feels more secure and steady to me.