There are a lot of variables to consider.
Price wise, I believe that one of the reasons that Winchester 94 carbines in 30-30 are so common across the U.S. is that they were always significantly less expensive than a comparable Savage 1899/99. Before the advent of telescopic sights, the "advantages" of side ejection that Marlin and Savage could claim were more theoretical than practical. Or so it seems to me.
Also, prior to the post-WW2 economic boom, few people had sufficient income that allow them to travel far from home to hunt. I grew up in rural New Hampshire and often went hunting by walking out the back door or walking out the back door, going to the garage, and getting the Honda CT-90 into action.
Jeff
