Marlin M39

[ACP230]

After years of being distracted by .41 Magnums and other .22 rifles I finally bought a Marlin M39. It is the rifle version and a takedown. No receiver safety. No plated trigger just blued metal and American walnut.

They don't appear that often around here since them that has 'em generally keeps 'em. The one I bought turned up in the used rack of a shop about 90 miles from me, with another one right next to it. Mine had sling swivels and XS peep sights. Since I was going to install XS sights anyway, so the .22 would match my other Marlin rifles, I bought it.

Haven't shot it yet since it's been hot and humid here for three weeks. Maybe tomorrow.

I think it will be fun and a good "understudy" rifle for my .41 Magnum, .30-30 and .45-70 Marlins.

 

[mkk41]

Yep , one of the true classics. I've had my Golden 39A since '77. They've been fetching pretty big bucks around here.

 

[Jim Shugart]

You'll love it.

I think it's the oldest rifle still in production. The first .22 lever action and introduced in the 1890's, IIRC. (It's too late to google that now and I'm a bit tired ).

I've got two, one scoped and one with iron sights.

My dad and I used to squirrel hunt with a .410 shotgun and the second .22. After we got one we would switch guns. We made up a whole bunch of rules for squirrel hunting -- like we had to try for head shots with the Marlin. Good times and memories.

Marlin is also a great company to deal with. A while back, I noticed that the butt plate on one of them was cracked. I called the company and the lady who answered the phone said, "Yeah, we used hard rubber for a while. We'll send you a new one on the house. Sorry about that."

 

[CajunBass]

I bought one NIB back in 1982. IIRC, I paid $189.00 for it. People thought I was nuts to spend that much on "just a 22." Well, it was the only 22, I'd ever wanted really. Mine will shoot the lights out. Shooting over the hood of a truck I could group an entire magazine into an area the size of my thumbnail at 25 yards with the worst ammo. Better ammo did better. That was plenty good enough for me.

I don't hunt with it much anymore. They are heavy, and loading and unloading the tube magazine is a bit of a pain, but it's still my most prized 22. Actually my most prized rifle.

 

[michael thornton]

mine was made in 58 love it!

 

[feralmerril]

I grew up with a 39A. Had a scope on mine. I also had a nice mountie. Sure wish I kept it, traded for something else.

 

[DGNY]

I think you will really like this rifle. Please let us know how it shoots. Only one I ever had a problem with was because some zealot had cleaned from muzzle and worn the rifling. This is totally unnecessary if you take it down, retain the ejector in the groove and clean from chamber end.

Let's hope yours is a great example!

Regards,

Dyson

 

[DOEBOY1]

model 39 gold trigger was my second gun the first one was a browning 22 not sure of the model but it ejected out of the bottom. Traded my dad because I couldn't hold it steady. I still sometimes think of hunting with dad sitting beside a tree. I have 3 now and I need one more for all my children to have one to go with the model 17, 617, 63 and future 34. Everybody needs a 22. Doeboy

 

[LTC]

I'm in the process of trying to purchase a 39a Mountie or better yet a 1897 Cowboy. I have read nothing but good things about them.

LTC

 

[stonehorses]

Congrats on the 39a. It's my husband's favorite .22.

 

[ACP230]

Supposed to cool off tomorrow. Maybe I'll make it to the range then, or Monday.

 

[LAKOTA169]

I got mine for my 10th birthday in 1952. Still have it.

 

[GB]

I bought mine in about 1966, still have it. Owned a Mountie for a while but it went away in about"92", times were hard and life was ruff. Have also owned a 1897 and a 1892. Both were fine guns also. You don't have to look hard to see the linage.

I have probably owned 75 or 80 22s in my lifetime (own atleast 10 now). I have never owned a better shooter than that 39A. The best 22 ever made in my humble opinion!

 

[2152hq]

Of all the rifles they produced at the time, the Model 39 was the one least likely to show up with a problem in the Repair Dept at Marlin when I worked there in the early 70's.

Have a couple of early 97 Deluxe versions that I like alot. Standard Vel only in those.

 

[ACP230]

Took the 39A out earlier this month.
It liked Remington Thunderbolts and Federal HP from the bulk pack.
Did not like target loads I tried as much.

With the Thunderbolts, from a rest, at 25 yards, I shot inch groups.
Federals were just a bit larger.
It might do better with a scope but I plan to keep the ghost ring XS peep on it.
I have the same sights on other lever guns and want to be able to go from one to the other and use the same sights.

Fun gun to shoot and one that has me thinking about hunting squirrels for the first time in years.

 

[waffenmac]

Our 39a was one of the first rifles I ever shot,it was just so heavy.probably havent shot it in 25 years or more but it still looks almost new.

 

[tops]

I have a rifle and a carbine and wouldn't take a gold monkey for either one. An old man told me one time that a M39 wouldn't always shoot where you wanted but you could bet it shot where you held. I liked that. Larry

 

[galena]

Marlin 39 Carbine

Here's my 39 Carbine. Always wanted a 39 and found this one earlier this Spring. It shoots as good as it looks. Keep shootin'

 

[Tam 3]

Bought a new one in Dec.,09. Put a Williams receiver sight on it and am quite pleased.

Regards,

Tam 3

 

[Muley Gil]

I found a 1870-1970 carbine in a pawn shop back in the early '90s. Got it cheap 'cause some fool tapped the topstrap for 1/4-20 screws to hold on a scope mount.

Haven't shot it much in the last few years. I need to go out back in the pasture and remedy that.