Ahem. I have a Savage .17 HMR that shoots great. BC and I have a running contest, which one, his Marlin or my Savage, is the better. It involves more than a few sharp stick pokes, even though we both know my Savage is a much better rifle.
In all seriousness, the Marlin is a great rifle, too. I own a Model 60, one of the best rifles ever made.
Brownings are nice, but in terms of quality AND accuarcy AND ruggedness, it's hard to beat the Marlin.
California sucks that's it.
Everyone knows the Marlin is the better of the 2 guns. The only reason you settled for the Savage is because you're an Injun a.k.a. "Savage".