I prefer the Marlin to the BLR. Marlins are made in USA and are less costly than the BLR. They are simpler and easier to maintain.
The BLR is not, and never will be, a bolt-action rifle. The reason is "primary extraction", or lack thereof. The BLR bolt appears similar to some multi-lug bolt rifles, such as the Weatherby Mark V, but there are no camming surfaces between bolt and receiver, and very little mechanical advantage on opening the lever. If fired cases are the least bit sticky, the BLR is very difficult to open without help from a ramrod.
In the end, both the Marlin and the BLR are lever-action rifles, complete with all the limitations that accompany such. That's not a bad thing, but it's definitely not a bolt-action.
