The Marlin 39 Club - Page 159

CB900F · December 25, 2012, 04:55 PM

Fella's;

I think the concern over the model 39's and possible proposed legislation concerns the tubular magazine capacity of the 39's, and many other .22's for that matter. In the now dead AWB, the issue was not a factor. However, trying to predict what the politicians will do in the coming year is futile IMHO. Only thing we can do is wait & see.

900F

76shuvlinoff · December 25, 2012, 08:02 PM

THe sad thing is I think us 39 owners (and all .22lr shooters) are going to have to wait a bit for the shelves of 22lr to be restocked.

Nematocyst · January 1, 2013, 12:05 AM

Happy new year, 39'ers.

May 2013 be better than 2012.

(And the world didn't end on 12.21.12.)

Fast Frank · January 14, 2013, 12:20 AM

BUMP.

Haven't fired a gun in a while.

Ammo is unavailable, and it looks like it's gonna stay that way for the foreseeable future.

I'm holding what I have and waiting.

Hang in there, guys!

biogenic · January 14, 2013, 12:27 AM

What 22 diet a 50s model 39a like the best?

Fast Frank · January 14, 2013, 01:07 AM

Rimfire rifles are picky about ammo, and there's no telling what your rifle will like. They all have their favorite bullet.

You have to buy different ammo and try it for yourself.

Your rifle might like the same stuff as mine, and it might not.

A good all around bullet that shoots pretty good in almost all rifles is the CCI MiniMag round nose 40 grain bullet.

There's a good chance that experimenting can find something that groups better, but the minimag is clean, reliable, and accurate enough for most situations.

Try that, if you can find it.

biogenic · January 14, 2013, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Rimfire rifles are picky about ammo, and there's no telling what your rifle will like. They all have their favorite bullet.

You have to buy different ammo and try it for yourself.

Your rifle might like the same stuff as mine, and it might not.

A good all around bullet that shoots pretty good in almost all rifles is the CCI MiniMag round nose 40 grain bullet.

There's a good chance that experimenting can find something that groups better, but the minimag is clean, reliable, and accurate enough for most situations.

Try that, if you can find it.

Thanks. Any idea where can I find a buttplate for my rifle ?

dfariswheel · January 14, 2013, 08:12 PM

Assuming you have a 1950's model, you can buy a good replica, or you might still find originals.
Exactly what design you need, you'd have to ask a collector because the butt plate design did change over the years.

Beware of buying "original" plates, because most will be new made replicas.

I'll assume you have the version that has checkering and with the Marlin name sideways on the center, which was used in the 50's.

Here's some good replicas:

http://www.vintagegungrips.net/mabu1.html

http://www.gungrip.com/detail_B342__...buttplate.html

Some parts houses list Marlin 39-A plates, but ask if they're originals. Originals from the 50's were actually a hard black rubber.

http://www.poppertsgunparts.com/cgi-...a_gunparts.cgi

casecolor · January 22, 2013, 10:07 PM

Hi Guys, Been away from the clubhouse for awhile now, and have some cathing up to do, been lot going on over the Holidays! Finally got a few pics of the new to me (well about 6 months ago now!) 39m loaded.

When the rifle arived at the FFL the stock was broke, so had a new marlin stock put on ( I belive from Numrich) it dose not match the forearm exactally, but close enough, or as close as Im going to get anyway. I took the first picture under the tree back in late November with its original sights on it, put the peep sight on it a couple weeks ago. Havent had any range time with it yet though, may not get to shoot it till spring the way thing have been going, but cant wait to get to the range/woods with it

.

forestdavegump · January 22, 2013, 10:08 PM

We love ours!

Blue Armadillo · January 26, 2013, 07:25 PM

Back in July of 2012, I was one p*****-off Marlin owner.
Time for an update:
It did go back to the factory twice before it got right, but it did get right on the second try.
Even though they did eventually make it right, and even though all the customer service folks were very nice, I'll be leery of buying any new Remingtons/Marlins from now own.

That said, the 39a still has its quirks: it's finicky about feeding the Federal bulk pack my other two .22s prefer; and I didn't even mention the front sling stud falling off when I tried to snap the swivel on. With all that....
This is still my pet rifle.
My ARs and HKs are feeling blue.

Nematocyst · January 26, 2013, 09:13 PM

I wonder what it is about them that makes them so finicky with feeding? Mine is the same way, and it's not a Remlin.

I mean, I never hear of 10-22 owners - or any other rifle - complaining about that.

What is it about 39's? Are the older one's so finicky?

robowo · January 26, 2013, 09:28 PM

I love my model 39M. It was made in 1978.

Nematocyst, mine was made in 1978 and I have no feeding problems with any brand of ammo. I use everything from Federal, Remington and Winchester bulk ammo to target ammo to Eley match ammo. The key with a lot of lever action rifles is a smooth, fairly quick movement of the lever.

cpt-t · January 27, 2013, 12:13 PM

Marlin 39A: My first rifle, my wife gave it to me on our first Xmas in 1963. I was so proud of that rifle, I thought I was going to bust, I hunted something most every weekend with it. I have shot my Marlin 39A thousands of times, and killed a truck load of varmints and small game with it. I bought my 39A NIB, and have never had a problem of any kind with it. Mine will feed shorts,longs, and long rifles mixed tograther, I did that a few times to prove to others that the rifle would not only feed and cycle, but so smoothly that you could not tell which round was feeding. My Son found a old 39A NIB about 15 years ago, that had been just sitting in and Old Ladies closet for many years. And His shoots every bit as well as mine. We treasure both of our rifles. It really bothers me that the reptation & quality level of the New Marlin Rifles have fallen to such a low level. We have several Old Marlin Rifles and they all shoot great.
ken

jblackfish · February 14, 2013, 03:23 PM

I'm late to this party but I just bought a 1978 39A (new, unfired) from an estate sale. I still haven't gotten it but I'm planning to start reading through this thread to pick up all the info that I can about its care before I take it to the range. Glad I found you guys.

fiddleharp · February 14, 2013, 03:30 PM

Say, jblackfish, do you mind me asking how much you paid for it?
I have the exact same model I bought new from a hardware store in Louisiana in 1978 for the princely sum of $117, which I thought outrageous at the time.

Too bad the American dollar has lost so much of its value.

jblackfish · February 14, 2013, 04:13 PM

I don't mind - $550 plus a small shipping charge. The seller is the son-in-law of the collector/owner and gave me a brief history from the owner's notes - he had bought it in 1979 in Wichita, KS, for $113. There you go.

texasred777 · February 15, 2013, 09:11 AM

Hey, that's a bargain in today's market! I bought a really nice 39as in 2011. It's a 1990 model. I am the third owner and talked to the second owner. He didn't know how much the first owner had used the gun; but that he and his family had put thousands on rounds through it. I paid $400 for it! You only paid $550 for a 1978 UNFIRED one? Yes, I think you got a real STEAL on the gun. Here is the one that I bought and would really like to see some pics of yours.

jblackfish · February 15, 2013, 09:19 AM

Texasred, I am currently waiting to get my 39A but I posted the 5 pics the seller sent me in this thread:

http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/ri...ml#post1288191

texasred777 · February 15, 2013, 09:22 AM

That's a great looking shootin' iron! I like the color of the wood better than the one I have.

jblackfish · February 15, 2013, 12:01 PM

That bird's eye on the butt stock is really attractive and sets it apart from "plain" wood versions - give it character. Very nice!

fiddleharp · February 15, 2013, 12:21 PM

Hey jblackfish, I just visited the link you provided, and yeah, that's a real beauty indeed!
Your great-grandchildren will enjoy that rifle, providing that gun ownership by serfs will still be legal then.

My 1978 39A was treated as a "truck gun" when I was a young man living in the boondocks. Of course, in those days, nobody had any idea that someday these commonplace rifles would someday become semi-precious collector's items, commanding top dollar on the worldwide web.
My 39A lived a tough life, and shows it today. However, after all these decades of use and abuse, it still puts the bullets where I want them.
Originally, the trigger was too heavy for my taste, so I had a gunsmith lighten it in 1979. That served me well until the summer of 1985, when I was in the midst of a prairie dog massacre in Eastern Colorado. After my 60th kill one day, my hammer suddenly would not cock. Something wrong with the sear. It wouldn't catch.
I took it as God's way of saying, "That's enough!"

It was quickly repaired by another smith, and from that day to this, my 39A has performed flawlessly.
Your Marlin will last long past your lifetime, so go ahead and shoot the hell out of it! It'll still seem like a new rifle to your heirs, and their heirs!
Marlin sure knew how to build 'em, back in the day.

SDHillbilly · February 15, 2013, 02:19 PM

Finally purchased a 39A last weekend after discovering this thread last year. I have not been out to the range yet but it looks like I will be able to this weekend.
I am very interested in scoping this rifle with a period set up, and from what I understand that is going to start with the Weaver Side Mount that matches up to the 4 holes on the left side of the barrel in front of the receiver.

My question is what options do I have when it comes to getting a scope on this rifle without d/t new holes.

jblackfish · February 15, 2013, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SDHillbilly

Finally purchased a 39A last weekend after discovering this thread last year. I have not been out to the range yet but it looks like I will be able to this weekend.
I am very interested in scoping this rifle with a period set up, and from what I understand that is going to start with the Weaver Side Mount that matches up to the 4 holes on the left side of the barrel in front of the receiver.

My question is what options do I have when it comes to getting a scope on this rifle without d/t new holes.

I'd be interested in the options too - I'd like to put a scope on my eventually if it doesn't "mess" it up looks esthetically. When you said "period set up" it peaked my interest.

SDHillbilly · February 15, 2013, 03:58 PM

I hope someone with alot more know-how than me chimes in, but what I know of so far is that the 4 holes in the bbl are there for a scope mount. What I dont know is if a current scope mount is made, or if I have to hunt down an antique.
Just by chance I have located what might be the correct scope already. It is a V22 3x6 in a 3/4 inch tube, but I am still not sure about this either.

December 25, 2012, 04:55 PM	#3951
CB900F Member Join Date: February 22, 2003 Location: Montana Posts: 3,165	Fella's; I think the concern over the model 39's and possible proposed legislation concerns the tubular magazine capacity of the 39's, and many other .22's for that matter. In the now dead AWB, the issue was not a factor. However, trying to predict what the politicians will do in the coming year is futile IMHO. Only thing we can do is wait & see. 900F __________________ _____________________________________________ Graffunder Safes sales and service

December 25, 2012, 08:02 PM	#3952
76shuvlinoff Member Join Date: July 6, 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,937	THe sad thing is I think us 39 owners (and all .22lr shooters) are going to have to wait a bit for the shelves of 22lr to be restocked. __________________ The very same allegedly sensible people that try to get everyone to focus on mental health side of gun control are the very same people that freely use: "gun nuts", "gun crazies" and "gun fanatics" when cornered in a debate.

January 1, 2013, 12:05 AM	#3953
Nematocyst Member Join Date: August 5, 2005 Location: 44°N x 69°W Posts: 11,610	Happy new year, 39'ers. May 2013 be better than 2012. (And the world didn't end on 12.21.12.) __________________ ______________ Blades, Levers, Sticks & Wheels

January 14, 2013, 12:27 AM	#3955
biogenic Member Join Date: February 16, 2011 Posts: 252	What 22 diet a 50s model 39a like the best? __________________ "If we make enough laws, we can all be criminals." -Jeff Snyder

January 22, 2013, 10:08 PM	#3960
forestdavegump Member Join Date: March 12, 2010 Location: The Great NW Posts: 108	Great rifles We love ours! __________________ Black Duck Charlie Said "forestdavegump, the willful disobeyance of Law, even Law you do not happen to agree with, shows that you simply do not care about the Law, which is the hallmark of a criminal. Period." Last edited by forestdavegump; January 22, 2013 at 10:15 PM.

January 14, 2013, 12:20 AM	#3954
Fast Frank Member Join Date: February 17, 2007 Location: Houston, Texas (Woodlands) Posts: 840	BUMP. Haven't fired a gun in a while. Ammo is unavailable, and it looks like it's gonna stay that way for the foreseeable future. I'm holding what I have and waiting. Hang in there, guys!

January 14, 2013, 01:07 AM	#3956
Fast Frank Member Join Date: February 17, 2007 Location: Houston, Texas (Woodlands) Posts: 840	Rimfire rifles are picky about ammo, and there's no telling what your rifle will like. They all have their favorite bullet. You have to buy different ammo and try it for yourself. Your rifle might like the same stuff as mine, and it might not. A good all around bullet that shoots pretty good in almost all rifles is the CCI MiniMag round nose 40 grain bullet. There's a good chance that experimenting can find something that groups better, but the minimag is clean, reliable, and accurate enough for most situations. Try that, if you can find it.

January 14, 2013, 08:12 PM	#3958
dfariswheel Member Join Date: December 26, 2002 Posts: 5,738	Assuming you have a 1950's model, you can buy a good replica, or you might still find originals. Exactly what design you need, you'd have to ask a collector because the butt plate design did change over the years. Beware of buying "original" plates, because most will be new made replicas. I'll assume you have the version that has checkering and with the Marlin name sideways on the center, which was used in the 50's. Here's some good replicas: http://www.vintagegungrips.net/mabu1.html http://www.gungrip.com/detail_B342__...buttplate.html Some parts houses list Marlin 39-A plates, but ask if they're originals. Originals from the 50's were actually a hard black rubber. http://www.poppertsgunparts.com/cgi-...a_gunparts.cgi

January 26, 2013, 07:25 PM	#3961
Blue Armadillo Member Join Date: July 29, 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 7	Back in July of 2012, I was one p*****-off Marlin owner. Time for an update: It did go back to the factory twice before it got right, but it did get right on the second try. Even though they did eventually make it right, and even though all the customer service folks were very nice, I'll be leery of buying any new Remingtons/Marlins from now own. That said, the 39a still has its quirks: it's finicky about feeding the Federal bulk pack my other two .22s prefer; and I didn't even mention the front sling stud falling off when I tried to snap the swivel on. With all that.... This is still my pet rifle. My ARs and HKs are feeling blue.

January 26, 2013, 09:13 PM	#3962
Nematocyst Member Join Date: August 5, 2005 Location: 44°N x 69°W Posts: 11,610	I wonder what it is about them that makes them so finicky with feeding? Mine is the same way, and it's not a Remlin. I mean, I never hear of 10-22 owners - or any other rifle - complaining about that. What is it about 39's? Are the older one's so finicky? __________________ ______________ Blades, Levers, Sticks & Wheels

January 26, 2013, 09:28 PM	#3963
robowo Member Join Date: December 29, 2012 Location: Browns Summit, NC Posts: 30	I love my model 39M. It was made in 1978. Nematocyst, mine was made in 1978 and I have no feeding problems with any brand of ammo. I use everything from Federal, Remington and Winchester bulk ammo to target ammo to Eley match ammo. The key with a lot of lever action rifles is a smooth, fairly quick movement of the lever.

January 27, 2013, 12:13 PM	#3964
cpt-t Member Join Date: December 25, 2011 Posts: 202	Marlin 39A Marlin 39A: My first rifle, my wife gave it to me on our first Xmas in 1963. I was so proud of that rifle, I thought I was going to bust, I hunted something most every weekend with it. I have shot my Marlin 39A thousands of times, and killed a truck load of varmints and small game with it. I bought my 39A NIB, and have never had a problem of any kind with it. Mine will feed shorts,longs, and long rifles mixed tograther, I did that a few times to prove to others that the rifle would not only feed and cycle, but so smoothly that you could not tell which round was feeding. My Son found a old 39A NIB about 15 years ago, that had been just sitting in and Old Ladies closet for many years. And His shoots every bit as well as mine. We treasure both of our rifles. It really bothers me that the reptation & quality level of the New Marlin Rifles have fallen to such a low level. We have several Old Marlin Rifles and they all shoot great. ken

February 14, 2013, 03:23 PM	#3965
jblackfish Member Join Date: November 10, 2011 Location: Little Rock, AR Posts: 148	I'm late to this party but I just bought a 1978 39A (new, unfired) from an estate sale. I still haven't gotten it but I'm planning to start reading through this thread to pick up all the info that I can about its care before I take it to the range. Glad I found you guys. __________________ What goes around comes around.

February 14, 2013, 03:30 PM	#3966
fiddleharp Member Join Date: October 6, 2007 Location: Crackerville, Florida Posts: 187	Say, jblackfish, do you mind me asking how much you paid for it? I have the exact same model I bought new from a hardware store in Louisiana in 1978 for the princely sum of $117, which I thought outrageous at the time. Too bad the American dollar has lost so much of its value.

February 14, 2013, 04:13 PM	#3967
jblackfish Member Join Date: November 10, 2011 Location: Little Rock, AR Posts: 148	I don't mind - $550 plus a small shipping charge. The seller is the son-in-law of the collector/owner and gave me a brief history from the owner's notes - he had bought it in 1979 in Wichita, KS, for $113. There you go. __________________ What goes around comes around.

February 15, 2013, 09:19 AM	#3969
jblackfish Member Join Date: November 10, 2011 Location: Little Rock, AR Posts: 148	Texasred, I am currently waiting to get my 39A but I posted the 5 pics the seller sent me in this thread: http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/ri...ml#post1288191 __________________ What goes around comes around.

February 15, 2013, 09:22 AM	#3970
texasred777 Member Join Date: June 8, 2011 Location: Idaho Posts: 53	reply That's a great looking shootin' iron! I like the color of the wood better than the one I have. __________________ Love Idaho, miss Texas. Love guns, hate violence.

February 15, 2013, 12:01 PM	#3971
jblackfish Member Join Date: November 10, 2011 Location: Little Rock, AR Posts: 148	That bird's eye on the butt stock is really attractive and sets it apart from "plain" wood versions - give it character. Very nice! __________________ What goes around comes around.

February 15, 2013, 12:21 PM	#3972
fiddleharp Member Join Date: October 6, 2007 Location: Crackerville, Florida Posts: 187	Hey jblackfish, I just visited the link you provided, and yeah, that's a real beauty indeed! Your great-grandchildren will enjoy that rifle, providing that gun ownership by serfs will still be legal then. My 1978 39A was treated as a "truck gun" when I was a young man living in the boondocks. Of course, in those days, nobody had any idea that someday these commonplace rifles would someday become semi-precious collector's items, commanding top dollar on the worldwide web. My 39A lived a tough life, and shows it today. However, after all these decades of use and abuse, it still puts the bullets where I want them. Originally, the trigger was too heavy for my taste, so I had a gunsmith lighten it in 1979. That served me well until the summer of 1985, when I was in the midst of a prairie dog massacre in Eastern Colorado. After my 60th kill one day, my hammer suddenly would not cock. Something wrong with the sear. It wouldn't catch. I took it as God's way of saying, "That's enough!" It was quickly repaired by another smith, and from that day to this, my 39A has performed flawlessly. Your Marlin will last long past your lifetime, so go ahead and shoot the hell out of it! It'll still seem like a new rifle to your heirs, and *their* heirs! Marlin sure knew how to build 'em, back in the day. Last edited by fiddleharp; February 15, 2013 at 12:29 PM. Reason: mispelled "jblackfish"

February 15, 2013, 02:19 PM	#3973
SDHillbilly Member Join Date: May 14, 2012 Posts: 11	1955 model Finally purchased a 39A last weekend after discovering this thread last year. I have not been out to the range yet but it looks like I will be able to this weekend. I am very interested in scoping this rifle with a period set up, and from what I understand that is going to start with the Weaver Side Mount that matches up to the 4 holes on the left side of the barrel in front of the receiver. My question is what options do I have when it comes to getting a scope on this rifle without d/t new holes.

February 15, 2013, 03:58 PM	#3975
SDHillbilly Member Join Date: May 14, 2012 Posts: 11	I hope someone with alot more know-how than me chimes in, but what I know of so far is that the 4 holes in the bbl are there for a scope mount. What I dont know is if a current scope mount is made, or if I have to hunt down an antique. Just by chance I have located what might be the correct scope already. It is a V22 3x6 in a 3/4 inch tube, but I am still not sure about this either.