I've shot two different Marlin 39s. My great uncle's 39A, and my brother's 39M. They are fantastic, and make the Winchesters, Brownings, and Henrys seem very cheap by comparison.
They have forged receivers, and have an excellent break-down design.
It is the oldest gun still being manufactured. (It was originally called the Model 1891)
To me, a cheap 22 rifle ends up being expensive in the end. You'll end up buying twice, and still getting the nice one. My brother got his used Marlin 39M for either $200 or $300, I don't remember which. That was about 8 years ago.