First firearm recommendations?

[DasMauser]

Why do you prefer the Marlin over the Ruger? I'm thinking of getting a .22 and have shot Rugers many times, but never a Marlin.

I'm in the same boat as well, have a Marlin 795 and love it, for a couple reasons:
They're substantially cheaper than a ruger 10/22
You can get 25 round mags for them without having to worry about the rcmp's "prohibition limbo" that the ruger 25 round mags are currently in
Now these are rare, but I have seen them in canada, there are also 70 rd drum mags for the marlin, if you can find them

Marlin is just as accurate, if not more, than the Ruger. But the one flaw it has is the plastic trigger guard/mag mouth, eventually it will break. But, you can order a solid aluminum one out of the states for about $75 or so shipped to your door, and still be well under the cost of the Ruger, just did it myself a few months ago.

[Eel]

I'm in the same boat as well, have a Marlin 795 and love it, for a couple reasons:
They're substantially cheaper than a ruger 10/22
You can get 25 round mags for them without having to worry about the rcmp's "prohibition limbo" that the ruger 25 round mags are currently in
Now these are rare, but I have seen them in canada, there are also 70 rd drum mags for the marlin, if you can find them

Well this is very interesting indeed. I am going to have to look into a Marlin I think. Besides, everyone and their dog has a 10/22, and I like different, that's part of the reason I got my T/C. Thanks for the tips!