Old 39A - would like a peep sight

Give the William's Peep a look.

Just put threaded plugs in the holes in the barrel

That barrel could have been drilled and tapped at the factory, there were some built that way. Four 6-48 plug screws would be correct. Your rifle is also drilled and tapped for a receiver peep sight. I think the Lyman 66LA would be the one you need.

I've got a Williams 5D on mine:



It works well for me, and was only about $40 shipped to the house. They are a "set and forget" type sight; Williams makes a 39FP that has target knobs if you so require. The skinner I have no experience with; tang sights and I don't "jive" to well. A period Redfield or Lyman would be nice, but are very expensive.

Give the Williams a try, I'm sure you'll like it.

Mac

PS - Don't worry about a swiss cheese barrel; filler screws will take care of it.

I have a Williams 5D on my 39AS. It's not as streamlined as a Skinner sight, but I bought it before I ever heard of Skinner.

rule303 said:

That barrel could have been drilled and tapped at the factory, there were some built that way. Four 6-48 plug screws would be correct. Your rifle is also drilled and tapped for a receiver peep sight. I think the Lyman 66LA would be the one you need.

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not 39s. Late ones had the receiver filled and tapped.

You can keep the stock Marlin 39 front sight with a Williams FP or 5D. Not sure about other brands.

nebraska_farmer said:

Thanks guys. One more question, do you typically use the stock front sight to go with the peep, or is there a better aftermarket you'd suggest?

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I do unless I can't. For instance: my 10/22 wears a Williams wgrs peep, but required a taller front sight to get on target. Your 39 most likely will not. Mine didn't.

Mac

The three best choices for a receiver sight are the "budget" Williams, 5D, and the top end Williams Foolproof which has click adjustments for elevation and windage.
The 5D uses locking gib screws and has no click adjustments.

The other is the Lyman 66 MC. The Lyman has distinct audible click adjustments.

I bought the Williams 5D, but now I'd go with the Lyman since it doesn't over hang way off the right side of the receiver like the Williams does.
That excessive over hang just doesn't look right.
An oddity of the Williams is that the inside lower-rear corner of the base has to be ground to allow it to clear the hammer screw so the base will lie flat on the receiver.

The tang type sight is a traditional type sight that looks nice but tends to be somewhat in the way on a more modern rifle and I would worry about bumping it and breaking it off.

Look closely at your front sight, the Marlin sights of that period are made of one piece. The ramp and sight being one piece, the blade cannot be changed.
With the Williams and Lyman receiver sights the original front sight will work correctly.

Your Marlin was made sometime in the post-war years between 1946 and and the early 1950's.
Here's a site where you can get a manufacturer date.........

https://oldguns.net/sn_php/marlinlookup.php

For the scope mount holes, buy some Positive Stop dome head filler screws. These give a far nicer looking "finished" appearance then common plug screws........

https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-...ware/metal-screws/plug-screw-kit-prod792.aspx

dfariswheel said:

An oddity of the Williams is that the inside lower-rear corner of the base has to be ground to allow it to clear the hammer screw so the base will lie flat on the receiver.

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Williams' come with the inside of the mounting portion relieved for receiver screws. Maybe really old ones didn't?

Pic here. https://shop.williamsgunsight.com/ecommerce/productimages/5D-MARLIN_39A_prod_3812_l_1388-3.jpg

PapaG said:

not 39s. Late ones had the receiver filled and tapped.

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. Yes, some early to mid 50's 39a's came with the barrel drilled and tapped, and a factory installed Weaver B4. Most of them were sold exclusively through Sears.

My 39A has the screw in attachment (2) with groves for scope rings.

Williams also make a top receiver aperture for the Marlin 39 a and the 336. It is adjustable for elevation and windage .This has been great for old eyes like mine.

I've used Williams aperture sights since the early sixties and still have them mounted on several of my rifles, including a "5D" variant on a Model 39. The cost difference between the 5D and the "FoolProof" models is substantial and reflects the added costs to manufacture micrometer settings and set screws vs coarser, less precise adjustment movements. Other than the type of sight adjustment, the two models are essentially identical. If you don't plan on changing the sight settings once you've dialed them in, the 5D is a better value.

Incidentally, for those younger than the states of Alaska and Hawaii, it's interesting to know that the "5D" moniker originally meant that it sold for five bucks; which is what I paid for the one I installed on an early Remington Model 760 back in the day.

I have a Marbles Tang sight on my 1892 Marlin, the predecessor to the 39 A. Even with the blade front sight, the rifle is super accurate and makes me competitive in a local hundred yard competition. Tang sight is much more effective than a receiver aperture, if which I have several.

I favor peep sights. Especially on the 39A. I would remove the scope. Sweet rifles.

Tentwing said:

View attachment 961014 Williams also make a top receiver aperture for the Marlin 39 a and the 336. It is adjustable for elevation and windage .This has been great for old eyes like mine.

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That sure is less chunky than a 5D. Did you have to install a different front sight to use that sight?

I have a Williams WGRS (which is similar, except for the base) on a different make and model rifle, but I had to install a different front sight.

Lots of good options, don’t think you can go wrong, although for a .22 lever I would go with a receiver mounted peep rather than a tang mounted, more opinion than function.

Skinner sights should be another one to consider.

http://www.skinnersights.com/2.html

Not "Old School", but on my newer 39A I installed the XS Ghost Ring sights. They work well for my eyes.

nebraska_farmer said:

Evening everyone. I inherited this old 39A (believe it was manufactured in the 1940s), I really enjoy the rifle but I'm not too fond of the scope.

Should I just keep the scope and deal with it?

Thanks!

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The more I look at your 39, the more I like that low scope mount. I wonder if there are any currently made scopes that would fit in that mount? What diameter tube is that? 3/4"?

Hmmm. https://www.vintagegunscopes.com/fixedpower3-4and7-8

nebraska_farmer said:

Thanks everyone. After reviewing some of the options I'm leaning toward the Skinner due to aesthetics and the fact that it appears to be adjustable as well.

View attachment 961132

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Not a bad choice at all. What will you do with the scope? I might be interested in it if you're willing to part with it.

Mac

nebraska_farmer said:

Thanks for your interest but I'll be keeping it (Grandpa's old gun)

Click to expand...

Quite understandable.

Mac