I have a Henry 22 , Remington nylon 66 and a marlin 25 in 22mag.....I am in the mood for a nice accurate 22 (I love bolts) but have always lusted after a 39A. The gun wont be shot a lot , but when it is I do need it to be minute of squirrel at 25yds and if it breaks that parts or people to work on it can be found. I understand these are to totally different platforms but would like some insight from those who one or both of these rifles

thanks ...Jay

The 39A is an awesome rifle...probably the finest .22 lever-action ever made. You won't go wrong buying one.

That being said...the CZ rifles are probably the best rifles dollar for dollar being sold new today.

Marlin 39A
Winchester 9422

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213th FBINA

My heart belongs to the Marlin 39A when it comes to 22 rifles. There are many fine 22 rifles out there, but the 39A is a jewel of a rifle. They are heavy, but that seems to make them easier to hold steady to me. They are climbing in price as they are no longer being made.

I'm not real fond of the 39AS model with the safety and rebounding hammer. My 1960 39A is a favorite in my safe.

The CZ's are nothing to sneeze at, they make some fine rifles for sure. I just prefer a good ole lever action rifle myself.

Post up pictures of which ever you settle on,.......... or buy both!

Buy the 39A because everyone ought to have at least one. Buy the CZ if you want the best accuracy. As someone said above, the CZs offer by far the best value for the buck available today. Either way, you can't make a wrong choice.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

If you want to shoot iron sights, get an older 39A in good shape. I've had one for more than 60 years, and love to shoot it. It's always been more accurate than me, but once on target, I just don't miss 3 oz catfood tins at 50 yards.
If you want a scoped gun to shoot at match heads or M&M's at 50 yards like some friends of mine do, get the CZ and a bright scope.
You can scope a 39, but it somehow doesn't look or feel right to me.

My 39A, made about 1968 and acquired as new about 12 years ago for a mere $500, would shoot the nuts off a squirrel at 25 yards . Or maybe a bunny.

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Some collect art; I shoot it!

I have both. The 39A is an older one and the 457 is not. I like them both but, as you say, they're entirely different critters. I think the CZ might be a hair more accurate from the bench but you would never notice the difference in the field. I like 'em both but, if I had to choose one, it would be the 39A. It's a great field gun and such a classic! Find a good one and I'm sure you will never regret it.

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Everybody could shoot

I own both, and they are different animals. The Marlin is a quality hunting rifle, and accurate. The CZ is more accurate, better trigger, and a ton of aftermarket stuff is available for them. The CZ's are also quality blued steel and walnut.

For just small game hunting, I think the Marlin gets the nod, for all around use, or when shooting where precision matters, the CZ.

Had two of my CZ's (452, 457)out to the range a few weeks ago. Either, along with the Kimber .22 shown are 1/3 inch at 50 yards 5 shots accurate.

Larry

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My CZ is a 452 in 17HMR.. it is a laser beam... almost a waste at only 25 yards... my Marlin 39 is oldish, 1968, and a hoot to shoot... better suited for 25 yard minute of rodent accuracy

I have CZs in the 453 American and 453 Varmint flavors as well as a CZ 455 Varmint Tacticool. All are quite accurate.

However, there are no shortage of CZ 452, 453, 455 and 457 rifles and they still make them.

The Marlin 39 and 39A however are out of production, are getting hard to find, and I doubt Ruger will start making them again. The take down design of its receiver makes it very difficult to manufacture and I don’t think Ruger will decide it would be economical to bring it back into production, even after they figure out how to build decent lever actions in a few years.

So if you want a Model 39A, get one now.



They are the largest and most adult sized of the .22 LR lever action rifles, and are the most accurate of the bunch.

39 for sure. They're getting harder and harder to find.

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I have both. (4 CZ’s and 1 Marlin lever). All excellent rifles.
But when out hunting or shooting, it’s the 39A that puts the smile on my face.

I have two of my favorite version of the Marlin 39, the 20" barrel Mountie. One I bought new in 1972 the other one was made in 1957 that I bought just a few years ago. Classic American lever actions. Very accurate and very unlikely to break if you don't abuse them.

I recommend the Marlin! My Marlin 39A “Mountie” shorter barrel was made in the mid 60’s and was my dad’s. This has been my go to rifle for pest control, grouse, and plinking. I love that I can shoot 22 short, long, and long rifle too. Yes, kind of sacrilegious to mount a scope but my eyes need it now!

Long story short, you’ll want one of each. I own a bunch of .22 rifles, including 39s and CZs. The Marlin is a classic, well made and a lot of fun to shoot. The CZ is definitely more accurate, more versatile, and also very well made. The sights on the CZ are much better than the Marlin, and you can easily scope it, so it’s a really nice platform.

That said, I love the 39. If you love .22s, you need a Marlin 39. It’s a full size, solid gun that is accurate. They don’t make them anymore, but they made them forever, they’ll always be examples available, but of course they will continue to go up in price. For what it’s worth, and to complicate things a little more, I also have Winchester 9422s and Browning BL 22s, both lever action .22s, and I like them better than the Marlin 39s.

For what you say you’re looking for, I’d go with the CZ. You say you love bolt action, and you want accuracy, that’s the CZ. If you run across a nice 39 for a decent price, I’d snag it, and get a CZ a down the road. If not, grab the CZ, and keep your eye out for a nice 39…

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NRA Life Member

With it’s preferred ammo, the 39A will have all the accuracy you will ever need for hunting, silhouette matches, and general shooting.
When you separate the two action halves once or twice a year, be sore you don’t lose the little hooked extractor on the floor or ground someplace. Took me an hour to find one I lost back in the ‘80’s.

My 39A is a N77## serial number. According to their website it was made a year before me, 1956.

The one below it is a Marlin Century 39 LTD.

My 39A...from 1952...my birth year...

Marlin 39A

Absolutely no choice needs to be made (for me).

I see you have a scope mounted on your Marlin too I don’t feel so bad now. Perhaps not aesthetically as pleasing but helps you hit what you’re aiming at.

I have several CZ .22lr and .22mag and .17hmr...... all are great guns.
Mine are older model 452s and 453.... can not recommend them highly enough.

My only lever gun is a Winchester Trapper in .357 magnum

If money is an issue, buy the 39A now, then save for the CZ. Never worry that you will have too many 22's.

My 39A is eariy enough (1948) that is has cut Ballard rifling instead of the "Microgroove" type that Marlin used to tout. It has won several turkeys over the years in our annual youth association fund raiser. Three rounds at 22 yards, offhand, against 19 other shooters, iron sights only. You usually need all three in the X-ring to win. Plenty accurate with Lyman peeps.

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Good advice…CZ rifles are still being made. The 39A is not.

I have always wanted a 39a myself, passed on several when they were a lot cheaper...always regretted not getting one. Might see if I can find one myself as well.

Many happy days in the woods with a Marlin 39A rifle or Mountie carbine, truly great rifles in every way.

Many happy days in the woods with my old Winchester 62A, little older than I am but looking much better in comparison.

Most recent addition has been a CZ 455 American, a classic style rifle in blued steel and checkered walnut that I can carry in the woods without worrying about damaging the value of my vintage rifles. Truly outstanding in every way. The CZ 457 is the next generation in the series and I expect it to be as good or better. Parts and service for either of these are readily available from CZ-USA, and it is probably easier to find any needed parts for the CZ than for a vintage Marlin 39A.

I have all of them. I would hate to be forced to choose only one, but I would probably be happy with any of them.

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Life of the party until 8:00PM

You mention being in the mood for a nice accurate rifle . Only you can determine the level of accuracy you need but the CZ 457 will by far be more accurate than the 39A .
I own 3 39A's ...a 1939 ..1956 Mountie and a 1982 and while they are plenty accurate for their intended purposes none of mine will shoot any better than either of my Ruger 10/22 carbines and that is about 1.0"-1.5" at 50 yards. Again this is plenty of accuracy for hunting small game and general shooting purposes.
I do read from time to time of people claiming that their 39A will shoot 0.5" groups at 50 yds but I remain very skeptical of such claims and would have to actually see it to believe it.
The Marlin 39 and the 39A rifles are of very good quality and you not are not likely to regret purchasing one.
Also as others have mentioned they are no longer being made while CZ looks to be in business for some time.

The marlin 39A will be accurate enough for minute of squirrel, but the CZ may cost you less.

John

I have 3 39A's and would never sell any of them. If you don't have a Marlin 39A then you need to get one. They are plenty accurate for squirrel hunting.

There is nothing wrong with either firearm. Your heart though will tell you to get the 39A before you buy the CZ later. This old 39A functions like new.

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I've been shooting mine as long as I remember. It was one of Dad's but unfortunately mine now. My 39A D serial puts it at 1947, 10 years older than me and in much better shape. My grandson was ecstatic when I pulled it out in one of our outings.

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Waiting For The Sun.

You will never regret getting either one. However, even though the 39 and 39 A were in production for roughly 100 years, they are now getting collectable, and harder to find. Get one while you can, and pick up a CZ when you have the cash to do so.
Buy one with the little "JM" hallmark on the barrel, and no one that was made durring the Remington years.

Marlin 39A gets my vote, I have a 39 and two 39As. The Winchester 9422 is another great option.

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My sgntr is mor thn 30 chrctrs

The CZ if you want to put a scope on it and shoot for accuracy (yawn).

I was down the 39 rabbit hole, not all are perfect, I’ve had a lemon or two. One had feed issues, the another poor accuracy. Still have a Mountie, TDS, & regular model. My 9422 has a slicker action, and I find to bit a bit less clumsy/ better handling than a std 39A. I still like both.

No wrong answer, just the size of the smile on your face. Good luck.

My 39 Mounties were my favorite until I found a 39 Carbine. Now it gets shot more than the others.

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I'm a .22LR junkie. I have quite a few. Back in the '70s I had a Marlin 39A which I loved to shoot. It left in a long-ago gun trade. For years I have had some pangs of remorse, and I have considered replacing it.

Can somebody please educate me as to the going rate on an excellent condition 39A?

Thanks,
Curly

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Curly
SWCA #2599; SWHF #626

Depending on when made, condition and variation…anywhere from $800-$1200…maybe more. The secret is out on these fine rifles. Winchester 9422s go for as much or more and the Marlin is a better and nicer gun.

The Marlin 39's with the Ballard rifling are by far the more accurate of the 39's. The micro-groove, not so good. Of course the CZ will out plink either one. My favorite accurate lever gun is this Browning BL-22 grade II with a 24 inch octagon barrel. It will almost shoot with the CZ

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Gunrunnerauctions.com in Ohio has a Marlin 39A listed as Item #26 in its current online auction.

Can't comment on the CZ. But I have a 1958 Marlin Golden 39A. Most accurate .22 I own. The Marlin I have has a walnut stock and is a hefty full size rifle. Get an older one with the JM stamping on the barrel. The next most accurate of my collection is a 1977 Remington Model 572. The older Marlins are not getting any cheaper. Mine in the picture along with the Remington 572, Colt 1956 Official Police, and an Ithaca WWII 1911a1. (It was vintage day for me at the range).

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I have a JM 39A and a CZ456. Both are well made, fun to shoot, and accurate. Once the CZ is broken in, it's is smooth as silk to operate.

If you clean the Marlin 39A from the muzzle, without breaking it down, be sure to clamp the extractor down by turning the mysterious screw head 1/4 turn. I broke mine, and it took a year to get a replacement.

I only have one 39A, an 1897 Texan (like a Mountie with an octagon barrel). It’s a good shooter (and not bad to look at). You can’t go wrong with a good Marlin (& all mine are JM’s).

Good luck if you bid on this. Sometimes you can get a good deal. I know I got a great deal on the S&W Model 41 I just acquired through them.