marlin 39A or CZ 457lux

moonsterman · Nov 6, 2023

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

SnidelyWhiplash · Nov 6, 2023

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.

CH4 · Nov 6, 2023

Marlin 39A
Winchester 9422

kraynky · Nov 6, 2023

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!

22hipower · Nov 6, 2023

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

ameridaddy · Nov 6, 2023

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.

Peak53 · Nov 6, 2023

Half inch groups

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.

Wyo · Nov 6, 2023

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.

Fishinfool · Nov 6, 2023

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

robvious · Nov 6, 2023

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

BB57 · Nov 6, 2023

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.

22lrfan · Nov 6, 2023

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

smoothshooter · Nov 6, 2023

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.

alwslate · Nov 6, 2023

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.

brendonjames65 · Nov 6, 2023

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!

brendonjames65-albums-reg-mag-and-dept-issue-s-and-w-m13-and-m15-and-miscellaneous--picture27032-img-0568-a.jpeg

brendonjames65-albums-reg-mag-and-dept-issue-s-and-w-m13-and-m15-and-miscellaneous--picture27033-img-0565-a.jpeg

dmar · Nov 6, 2023

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…

smoothshooter · Nov 6, 2023

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.

wood714 · Nov 6, 2023

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.

SnidelyWhiplash · Nov 7, 2023

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

rwt1405 · Nov 7, 2023

Marlin 39A

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

marlin 39A or CZ 457lux

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