If you add another $10 you can get the synthetic stock/bull barrel version (unfortunatly no iron sights). And for $198 you get the bull barrel, hardwood stock.
I have the latter, 917v (wood, bull) and absolutely adore it. Extremely accurate (best 5 shot so far just under 1/2" at 100yds, outdoor range).
The T-900 trigger is nice, but still a bit heavy. Rimfirecentral.com has a thread on lightening the trigger. I did a light polish, and some spring work with the trigger and easily got it to a crisp, reliable 2.5#'s....down from just over 6# when I got it. I love the wider than average trigger.
The stock scope bases are pretty much junk. I used weaver #45 bases and LOW rings to clear my 3-9x40 scope. #16 weaver bases also work, but they don't sit as high as the 45's, so a medium (possibly high) ring will be necessary.
They are a well made rifle for the price. Probably the best in its class, IMO.
The savages are nice, but not for me. Neither are synthetic stocks...but the marlin synthetic is nicer than the savage, again just my opinion.
From what I've heard, the sporter taper isn't AS accurate, but with some effort you can still get 1" groups with the right ammo/conditions. For only a few bux more, I decided the Bull barrel was worth it.
It's still balanced quite well in my wood stock, w/ scope...the extra weight gets heavy after a while with packing it around....but worth in on the bench (to me).
The only "real" problems I've heard are some issues with magazine reliability...but a little tweaking with pliers usually solves the problem right away...
I never had the problem.
Also, news is the new Marlins now come with BOTH a 4 and 7 capacity magazine...so you may have got lucky by waiting to purchase
