Marlin Golden 39A Mountie

Try a peep you’ll love it and it won’t spoil the look of a nice old rifle. If you shot a group that tight sounds like a sight adjustment may solve your issue

Those old 39a rifles are real shooters.
I remember years ago I posted my disdain for mounting optics of any kind on a levergun.
....then I turned 45 years of age. I too had problems seeing my iron sights. Karma I guess.
Congrats on the 39a, best wishes on choosing an optic.

I bought a 39A a few months ago. Took it squirrel hunting and head shot a squirrel at 50 yds, with iron sights. Not bad for 73 year old eyes and really great for a great rifle.

I might have to hunt down a Mountie. I am a bit 22 poor right now. Only have 2 and they are both handguns!!

What is it that makes one a "Mountie"?

Is it the straight lever?

Agreeing with Steve above on the peep-sight.

I had a nice 3-9 scope on mine and took it off as the rifles are so dogged accurate that it actually got a little boring with optics so I went back to irons. In particular, my little D.W. King rear.

Todd.

Its a carbine. It has what Marlin called the "carbine" stock (straight grip) and a shorter 20" barrel.

earlthegoat2 said:

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Its a carbine. It has what Marlin called the "carbine" stock (straight grip) and a shorter 20" barrel.

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Exactly. However there was another carbine version of the M39.

The Mountie has the square lever, 20” barrel and better grade of walnut stock
I have a M39D. It is a 20” carbine with rounded lever and plain grade walnut stock.

Nevertheless, it shoots great. I bought it “distressed” at a LGS that didn’t know what they had. The front and rear sights were missing and it had a scope base installed. Several dings to stock.

I replaced the sights with those from a Ruger 10/22 (fold down blade). It wears a Williams Sourdough rear reciever sight with a .067” 1/2” apeture.
And yes, it’s a tackdriver.

I had a ‘70’s vintage M39A. It shot poorly. Soured me on them for several decades...

I've picked up a couple of the Mounties over the years. Both bought used 10-15 years ago. I paid in the $300-$350 range for each. Thought that was too much then, but based on today's prices I'm glad I bought them when I did. One was made in the late 50's, the other in the late 60's. I can't recall exactly and don't want to look it up right now.

I'm not so sure about the square lever. but my guess is that they went to square levers on straight stocks later in production. Older guns like mine are still stamped "Mountie" , but have the rounded lever. Both of mine are stamped "39A MOUNTIE". I've seen some stamped 39M and 39D. They look similar, but I don't know exactly what the differences are, if any. It could be that Marlin changed their nomenclature over the years.



I've never cared for any of the Marlins with a pistol grip. They've made quite a few straight gripped rifles over the years and I tend to keep my eyes open and pick up one whenever I can.

The Marlins along with my Winchester 94-22.



My straight stocked levers. Two are Winchester, but the rest are Marlin. The 1958 Marlin 336 (5th from left) also has a curved lever as do the 39's from the 50's and 60's. All the others have the square lever. Most are 1970's guns, but the 16" trapper is a 1988 rifle and the SS 35 Rem is from 2005.

Skinner sights are the gold standard for peep sights on Marlins of many sizes, including 39As. As mentioned elsewhere, there's a world of information on 39s in the Marlin 39A Club thread.

The 39 & '97 are totally misunderstood by many, they're gems and extremely well made. Mine isn't a mountie , it was made I'm 1957 and although it's nothing special I wouldn't sell it for anything . there's a certain magic they possess that isn't found often in modern guns.

Obturation said:

there's a certain magic they possess that isn't found often in modern guns.View attachment 909329

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That magic might be craftsmanship...

A Marlin 39a was my first gun back in 1963. I put thousands of rounds through it in the ‘60’s and managed to shoot out the barrel. About 15 yrs ago I found a very nice ’69 vintage Mountie. Shooting the two against each other, the Mountie was definitely more accurate. The 39a got sent it back to the factory, before they moved to NY, and got a new barrel. Now both are very nicely accurate.
My old one has a Redfield aperture rear sight. The new one has a Williams Foolproof rear sight.

The mounties are holding value and I need to pick one up someday. I've noticed a few of the standard models for less than they were selling for 5 or more years ago. One gun store I frequently visit when I'm passing through had 4 for under 700 bucks. All pre safety. One was 499 and appeared in good shape other than the scope rail someone mounted. Great guns. If I pass through there soon I may try to bargain on that one if someone hasnt picked it up.

Marlin finally resurrected the straight grip 336 this year, the Deluxe Texan TDL of course only in 30-30. Just need to make a 39 version as well.

I would like to get hold of a Mountie. 20" barrel and straight stock are nice features.

Just did a stock touch up on my 1905 Marlin '92, the predecessor to the Model 39. Still the best shooting lever gun I have ever shot.

Texas10mm said:

I have a new to me 1967 Marlin Golden 39A Mountie.

I took it to the range today to see how it shoots.

I used the iron sights at 25 yard, iron sights and my old eyes aren't on good speaking terms.

The first three shots could have been covered with a nickel. Sadly they were about 3" to right of the aim point. I had forgotten how well these old Micro-groove rifles shot.

I've decided this fine rifle needs a red dot.

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I've shot a newer Model 60 with microgroove rifling and that thing is scary accurate. Trigger guard is plastic which is my only gripe with that gun. If I come across a 39A I would have a hard time talking myself out of it.

I had a 39a in the early sixties and it was awesome. I'm not sure what shiny object caught my eye to make me sale it, but it was the mistake of a kid.

Pick one up in late 70s for $40. Owner claimed needed repair. Took it home and unlocked the ejector rod and been great ever since.

For the unknowing, Marlin was purchased by Remington in 2008. Any new rifles being marketed as Marlins are made by Remington. If it is a genuine Marlin it should have a small JM within an oval stamp on the side of the barrel near the receiver.

Texas10mm, I will probably sound like broken record here, but I agree with all the aperture sight recommendations you have heard on here. My eyes were bad before they got old, so I needed help with my 39a’s as well. Skinner make a sturdy sight. Williams’s also makes a “Firesight” peep sight that fits the Marlin 336 as well as the 39a. I own both , and like both. Just my opinion The Williams firesight is a little easier to fine tune than my Skinner. I am continually amazed by the accuracy of these old lever action 22’s. In the picture is my 11 year old grandson, my 1952 (Ballard rifling not micro- groove) Marlin 39 , over his shoulder is a target. All 16 rounds at 50 yards not a bad group for an 11 year old boy, but of course he has great eye sight ……… He wanted to know why we were taking a picture?……… I told him “ son without a picture for proof your PawPaw is just another liar on the internet “ Welcome to the Marlin 39 addiction

I have a "Golden" Mountie like GMR40. Is it the gold trigger that makes it "golden"? Or, are there some other differences?