I just picked up a new Marlin XT-22 yesterday at my local, friendly Gander Mountain for $214 and change. I put about 150-200 rounds through it today, and I am completely in love with it. My buddy and I were consistently able to hit a dinner plate-sized piece of cardboard at 100 yards offhand with iron sights, and while it shot a little left out of the box, my groups with irons off a bipod were inside the 10 ring. It ate everything we fed it, though that's not a surprise for a bolt gun. The accu-trigger, or whatever Marlin calls theirs, is very crisp. I felt no need to adjust it beyond where it was out of the box.
I am also impressed with its looks. I got the base model, which these days is blued steel and laminated wood stock. The bluing was good; not lustrous like Colt's used to be, but evenly deep. The stock is really pretty two-tone, alternating black to dark tan. There were a couple spots where it wasn't perfectly sanded that will smooth out the more I handle it.
What I don't like about the gun is that it was very lacking in what some would call accessories. It did not come with scope bases, something I believe ALL modern rifles should come from from the factory with inside the box. They're not expensive to manufacture, and having them already on hand is a huge boost in convenience. Doing a quick Google search for "XT-22 scope bases" yielded poor results as well, though I am lead to believe that Marlin 900 series bases will fit the XT-22 line as well.
It also only came with one 7-round mag. I know that's also industry standard but it's also bullcrap. Throw in a 10-rounder, Marlin! Or at the very least another 7-rounder. I haven't searched for more mags yet, but I wouldn't be surprised if they were over-priced.
Overall, though, I am impressed by this gun, and would buy it again even with the two gripes I've leveled at it. I bet that Marlin 981 mentioned on here would also be a stellar rifle. I anticipate teaching my children to shoot with this gun when the time comes.
