Marlin
917v.
Local gun stores were all sold out when I went looking for a reasonably priced bolt action rifle in the new 17 HMR cartridge. I found this one at Wal-Mart, and it was their last one. For $180, not bad. Not bad at all.
The 917v is an interesting blend of cost cutting accessories, added onto a good action and a magnificent barrel. At .81", not quite a full bull barrel, but close enough, and a good deal thicker than the competition.
Since buying it, I have added the Leupold Rifleman scope, and later, a Rifle Basix trigger.
The Rifle Basix Trigger. Let me tell you about this - it transformed the rifle from an inexpensive bolt gun with expensive cartridges, into a crack shot. Pretty much a drop in operation. If you own a 917, you need this trigger.
Update: my long missing Micro-Fit stock showed up. Here's an early shot, after sanding and fitting, but before finishing.
39TDS
The Marlin 39 is one of those classic and timeless firearms. In a day and age when cast alloy seems to be the way rimfire rifles are going, the 39 has a machined steel receiver, like God intended.
This particular model is the TDS, or Take Down Special. It's a cutdown carbine version of the 39. Comes with a thumbwheel to hold the receiver together, so that it can be broken down and reassembled without tools. Taken down, it compacts to two short pieces, and comes with a nice padded case to carry it.
I bought this new back in 1988, and once past the problem of the misfiring rebound hammer, it has been a faithful performer. Not quite the crack shot that the long barrel 39 is, but you can't beat it for a compact and reliable package.