I have not seen the 2012 Marlin catalog yet,I'll have to look it up online. I was asking this question a few months ago,

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthread..._Marlin_XLR_s_becoming_extin#Post5854545

I could not get a straight answer out of anyone from Marlin. Now I guess I know why. I really like the 444 in the stainless/laminate but they are hard to come by and the ones that are out there are way overpriced. Sad...