Diane - I hope not! Stupid people don't ask questions ... therefore they remain stupid. Don;t mean to be talking down to anyone at all, but just trying to help folks understand ... and sometimes, trying to learn something new myself. I think you got yourself a good rifle. And I commend you for trying to understand all about it. And next time someone asks you about micro groove rifling you can tell them all about it! LOL Shoot the heck out of the Marlin. It is truly a piece of history. That 30-30 cartridge has sure fed a lot of folks. And if you have questions, ask 'em. Stupid folks ... don't ask. :-)

all of us have been beginners at one time or another I would rather teach someone who knows nothing than a ok shooter that knows "everything " marlins are great guns and micro grove barrels have put a lot of wild game in the pot

Diane, don't feel that way. Any firearm can have a different take on features, function and aesthetics for different individuals. Not everyone will have the same opinion on the same firearm.