If your new Marlin was manufactured in the last couple of years or so, it will somewhat limit your DIY choices. IIRC, the factory d&t'ed mounting holes on the side of the receiver for most 'conventional' receiver sights were discontinued.
Williams responded by introducing a model made to use the rear pair of factory scope mount holes. XS, Wild West Guns, and perhaps a couple more outfits also offer models using the same positioning. I believe that all of the above usually require replacing the front sight with a taller one to get the most leeway for zeroing.
All of my own Marlin carbines have the side mounting holes. Two wear Williams Fool Proofs and one a Lyman 66. All have the excellent Williams FO 'Fire Sight' front beads installed as a concession to my now-bifocal clad eyes.
Of course you can always have a 'smith d&t two holes for you so that you can do a 'traditional' receiver mount. It adds a good deal to the cost, though. Around here they charge about $20/hole for the job. The upside to my mind is that you can simply remove the upper slide assembly (it's made to do this without losing zero) when you want to put a scope & mount on it. Sure, the one-piece scope mounts preclude a quick and easy back-and-forth swap without rezeroing, but IIRC there are a couple ot two-piece QD mount & rings outfits out there that get around that, plus the XS 'Scout' outfit where it's doable.