I agree that a good 39A is no slouch.

If I were looking for a new gun, I would be looking for an Anschutz silhouette model. They used to make them with a short, stiff barrel and a pretty sturdy stock. Nothing much to look at, but the thing was not intended as a sporter - just a pure steel dinger. Don't know if the model is made anymore, but that would be my choice for what you describe.