My local drug err.. gun shop called me to say they have a mint condition Marlin in 44 Mag. Just how rare is this?

Not rare. The 1894c in 357 are harder to find. I bought a mint 1971 Marlin 1894 saddle ring carbine in 44mag last year for $500.
I finally found a really clean 1980 Marlin 1894c in 357 this year and had to give $750. I was glad I found it that price, they are going for crazy money these days.

Thank you very much.

Depends, is it a 1894 or a 336 ? The 336 are pretty hard to find and bring a premium.

336

My mistake,
I just noticed that this is posted in the 336 forum.
Yep, that changes everything. The 336 in 44 is a hard one to find.
There is one on GB now for $650, in SRC

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/marlin-336-vs-1894-whats-the-difference.260930/