Myself, I'd get an "older" Marlin to avoid the safety. Actually I'd more likely hunt the '94 and make more memories with her. Don't know about you, but I don't "bang up" my rifles when I hunt with them, especially when they mean something to me. I have my fathers Winchester 64 and the deer I've taken with it mean more than all the deer I've taken with my other rifles combined. Try it, you'll understand what I mean.
