One thing about "new" Marlins still having issues just might be that they're left over from the period before Remington re-tooled. Not certain, just a possibility.
The reviews of the re-tooled ones have generally been positive, with a few quibbles about the shape of the forend and heavy triggers. If I were considering one, I'd definitely factor a trigger job into the budget. I look at old ones when I peruse the used-gun racks, but have so far stifled the urge. Recently saw a decent one for $450, but a few spaces over there was a pristine Remington 798 for $50 less; no contest for me if I was buying.
