A few years back I decided I'd like to get into sport shooting and hunting but while I grew up with firearms I am still much of a beginner, but aspire to build some decent skills.
I put a lay by deposit on two rifles a Tikka T3 Hunter with wood stock in .223 which was on special and last one, and the Marlin XT .22 WMR (magnum) tube/muzzle loader, in nice timber stock, apparently made in NY, which was packaged with a cheap sight for $659 here in Australia, and again last one on the shelf so I snapped it up before doing much research, other than recalling the talk on it being a good brand in this thread.
Even though the look and feel of the XT was lovely now I've done some more looking around and I notice Remington took over Marlin (5 years ago) and there has been various quality issues apparently, and for the money these sell for just over $200 US which is unbelievably cheap, I just wonder if its too cheap for what I want, I want something to keep for life and hand on, with accuracy and build quality.
So I've been having second thoughts and wondering if I should ask to upgrade to a better rifle, I'm a bit stuck in this decision and there are no other magnums in stock in the shop so if I do ask to upgrade it would be an order, but first point of call is to discuss my concerns with the dealer, but wondered if anyone knows anything about these apparent issues with the XT made in NY.
The dealer does stock Lithgow which make wood stock .22 WMR for around $899 no sight, and it gets a decent review. Any thoughts form any of you are much appreciated.