Few flavours of discussion...
i) Ageed. I don't see the appeal in the OP's picture...Have to use the "ugly" word.
- It is a neat market ploy. I have a 352k semi .22. It has a fold down forestock, and was "super-###y" in it's day. A fine semi .22 aside from the flip down stock. The stock did appeal to many back then (I'm 40's and the rifle is older than me). I pick up on the "retro" side of this new offering.
...not going near the muzzle break.
ii) Mossy shotguns...I have only ever bought myself one, new, over the counter gun in 25 years. It's my Mossy 500. My son will own it one day, as he'll likely not find a better one. In a word "awesome". Countless ducks, grouse, clays (I can lob and hit 3 clays with it using #4 lead). The Maverick, at the time I bought mine, was about half the price, but had only one action bar...they now have 2. I know of many that have been pumping out shot as long as mine.
I may be "lord of the Fudds", but can't deny that there will be some folks who appreciate this .17...