Heard the newer Marlins not as well made as the older ones. Myth? I do have a Winchester 9422 that is very accurate. I'm going to sell it as I have concerns about the inherit safety issues with the 94 series. Does the marlin have a separate safety?
You probably won't be disappointed with the 15-22. Couple options I'd recommend:
1.) For less than $30 you can reload your mags almost as fast as you can unload them: Lightnin' Grip Loader
I've got two of them because I don't ever want to be without one, ever.
2.) For $20 you can make your factory 15-22 charging handle feel and work like a BCM gunfighter: Smith and Wesson M P 15 22 Medium Billet Charging Handle Latch | eBay I have gunfighter changing handles on all my AR's, that replicates the feel of them. If you're not familiar with them all I can say is that from one former spec-4 to another one, you need to check those out.
Well, after much deliberation I pulled the trigger and went for a Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22.
As an owner of both a 10/22 and a Remington 597, I would go with a 10/22 if getting another 22. With that said, my 597 is way more accurate than my 10/22, it just takes some time getting used to the heavy trigger pull. The 10/22 was purchased new by my dad in 1987 and probably has over 20k rounds through it. I can remember dropping it in a creek when coon hunting one night. We took the mag out and shook the water out and went on to get 10 that night. Its just more reliable than the 597 and accurate enough for most needs.