Talk me into/ out of a Marlin Lever .22

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DogBonz

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This weekend I was at the local “toy store” when I saw a beautiful little Marlin lever action .22. It had an amazingly beautiful stock and very nice bluing, but the price… OUCH! $400! Now, I don’t have a .22 rifle, and my nephew (12 years old) will be staying with us for 2 weeks at the end of this month, so I want to take him shooting… And what better excuse to buy a 22. I was going in looking to get an el-cheap-o 10/22, but this little beauty really caught my eye.

Is this the going rate for Marlin Lever 22’s? Are there different grades that could cause the price to be so high or is this just my local guy price gouging?

Anyone have any experience with these?

Thanks,
-Fred
 
Describe the gun in more detail.

I recently paid $475 for a new Golden 39A, the best price for it around here, and $400 for an old 39M Octagon, a rare variant of the 39M Mountie.

$400 is not a shocker, but whether that's a good deal depends on the specific gun. If that's a new-in-box 39A, $400 is a steal, and you should go down there right now and buy it. Other variants depend. Haven't ever seen any in decent shape for under $300, and that one was gone in a flash (should have been me who bought it, but wasn't).

The gun is a takedown, easy to clean, shoots like a dream, and is built like a centerfire, out of machined steel.

Go here for more opinions: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=261635
And here: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=293754

Marlin's page: http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/22Rifle/Golden39A.aspx

photo_39A.jpg
 
Armedbear

I think that it had an octagon barrel, and the stock looked like a dark walnut. I don’t think that it was a takedown model. I’m not sure of the exact model. The store was busy and I was short on time, so I didn’t really examine it too closely. Plus, I was there for about 10 minutes and handled 5 or 6 rifles, so I could be blurring some of them. I know… I’m not being very helpful.

What are the differences between the different types? Sorry, I’m at work and the I.T. nazi’s say Marlin’s web site is verboten.
 
Also

All of the Marlin 39's that I see on the internet have 24" barrels. This one looked like it had a 16 or 20" barrel. Could it be a youth model or something?
 
The Mountie has a 20" barrel and straight grip. They're not currently in production in that barrel/stock configuration; the action is the same, however.

They've been takedowns since 1897 I think. It just fits together really well so it's not obvious. The big screw on the side is what you use to split it into front and rear halves.
 
AB

Yup, It must have been a take down. It had that big screw, and I think that it might have had a straight grip like the old Win 94's. So, if it was a Mountie, was $400 a fair price?
 
Three words regarding the Marlin 39 :

I
Love
Mine.

I bought mine (39AS) used but in beautiful shape for $260.00 "gun show loophole". I broke the extractor on it the first time out, I don't know how it happened, but a few bucks to Numerich and about 10 minutes amateur gunsmithing and it's just fine now.

I don't think $400 is a bad price for NIB.
 
thanks

Armed Bear:

Yup, that looks like it. It must be the 39M

Kurt:

What is the 39AS? What length barrel, etc?
 
Chuck Hawks on his Mountie:

The Marlin Model 39 has been a top of the line .22 rifle throughout its long existence. It is and was one of the very few adult .22's, long before that category became popular. Always expensive, the knock on the Model 39 has long been that it costs as much as a .30-30 deer rifle. True, and that is because it is made just as well, from materials just as expensive, as a Marlin centerfire rifle.

Most Model 39 rifles have 24" barrels and pistol grip walnut stocks, but the Mountie version has a 20" barrel and a straight grip stock. These are features that I strongly prefer in a traditional lever action rifle. My personal Mountie has a butter smooth action and a light, crisp trigger pull that are the result of painstaking hand labor.

My Mountie shows a fair amount of external wear because it has been used to take hundreds of small game animals (and a deer or two) during the last 45 years. I traded a friend out of it back in the middle 1960's, and somehow have managed to hang onto it ever since. This is one rifle that I will not sell or trade!
Click to expand...
 
The Marlin 39 is a classic rifle, and one that every red-blooded American should own. $400 is a good price, so don't hesitate.

That said(tm), my favorite .22LR lever action is the Browning BL-22. I just bought a used one in excellent condition for $250, and it is quickly winning a place in my heart. So if you're in the market for a lever .22, don't forget to take a look at the Brownings, too.
 
Octagon? $400?

It isn't still at the gunstore, is it?
Click to expand...

Mine is still at the store, but it's paid for. State/local law requires the store to hold consignment guns for 30 days to make sure they're not stolen, so I don't get to take it home for a few weeks.

But it's mine, all mine.:D
 
Not For Long....

Octagon? $400?

It isn't still at the gunstore, is it?
Click to expand...

Judging by the replies here, the one that I saw will be comming home with me soon (if it's still there).
 
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