Randy after messing with the Ruger this weekend i think it would be hard to beat, but then again i have no experience with the Marlin. and i do plan on picking up one of the Rugers in the near future .Randy i got lucky the mags and the batteries were at cost, the pants came with a belt cheaper than i could have gotten them off the net, and the ammo was about 11$ a box including tax, i did spend more than i wanted to but it was things i needed to pick up and i saved over 50 $ or so buy getting them this weekend.