9422 vs 39a

[silicosys4]

It is correct , because the top rifle is a Marlin 39A Mountie and the lower picture is a Winchester 9422M XTR. The 39A was in production an awful long time and there were several versions. There was a 39M, the M designating a carbine 20 inches barrel with a pistol grip stock and slimmer fore end stock. Somewhere around 1957 the "Golden" designation was added because they then came with a golden trigger. Go figure. My rifle, in post #51 is a 39A Mountie from the early 50s (not saying exactly ). It has MG rifling and did not have a golden trigger. Somewhere about 1966 I met a young fellow who had a Golden 39A (24 inches barrel, fat fore end, pistol grip) and I was so smitten with the golden trigger that I just had to have one of my own and so jumped on my Raleigh English Racer and raced on down to the hardware store and ordered me one up and my grandfather helped me to install it. And yes, I still have the original blued trigger.



I had mounted a scope at one time and it lived on the rifle for decades. Not sure I recall when or why I removed the scope. The Skinners were added not so long ago as I can no longer see well enough to use the buckhorn sights. And yes, I put the buckhorn and elevator in the same place as the blued trigger. The hood is not original as my brother lost it in the woods somewhere about. All I know is it came home without and stayed so also for decades until I found another. I would like to have the correct hood but alas they are as scarce as hen's teeth. In fact, it is likely, that genetic engineers will devise a chik-a-saurous with teeth, before I find a period correct hood. And maybe it does not matter. Some things are forever and some things are made of Zamak.

Some wonder which came first, the chicken or the egg, a more pressing question to me is that if a chicken has teeth, will it bite or peck you when you catch it to wring it's neck for frying .

If I could find a mountie like that I'd snap it up in a hot minute. Thats a far more ideal configuration than marlins overly long (imo) standard barrel and bulbous stocks.
Unfortunately those mounties are pretty rare, I've never seen one come up for sale locally. Thats a nice one.

 

[crestoncowboy]

If I could find a mountie like that I'd snap it up in a hot minute. Thats a far more ideal configuration than marlins overly long (imo) standard barrel and bulbous stocks.
Unfortunately those mounties are pretty rare, I've never seen one come up for sale locally. Thats a nice one.

Agreed if the 39 was more commonly the mountie configuration my answer might well change.

 

[silicosys4]

Oh dang, I forgot. My 9422 has broken as well, they are not bulletproof either. In my case mine was knocked off the bench with the lever open, and landed directly on the lever, which snapped some internal part (I forget which one) and locked up the gun. After disassembly and a new part the gun was up and running good as new.
Truth be told my 39a has been my only .22 lever gun that hasn't broken...mostly because I had other options that I always chose to shoot instead, and its not as well suited for children when its time for plinking as the 9422 and bl22 are.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Have you ever owned a Henry?

Yes! .22Magnum I won in a PPC match in 2002.
POS !!!
Plastic barrel bands, plastic front barrel band/front sight assembly. Stamped sheet metal cover over zamak reciever. Nylon action bushings, lousy accuracy! 3-4”groups at 50yds. But it had nice wood…
I dumped it quickly.
I at the time owned both a Marlin 783 b/an and a Remington 597 s/a. Both capable of 1-1.25”5-shot groups at 100yds.

Henry has evidently upped their game since. I had the opportunity to shoot/sight in a more recent .22mag with an octagon barrel, metal sights. Someone had sorta mounted a scope that I remounted properly. Sighting it in for 25yds (requested) it shot acceptable 3/4-1”groups. However, it looked like an abomination with the cheap 3-9x scope attached.
My opinion of the Henry’s is they are nice plinkers/range toys.

 

[chicharrones]

If I could find a mountie like that I'd snap it up in a hot minute. Thats a far more ideal configuration than marlins overly long (imo) standard barrel and bulbous stocks.
Unfortunately those mounties are pretty rare, I've never seen one come up for sale locally. Thats a nice one.

Which makes one wonder, if Mounties and TDS models are rare, why was the 24" barreled pistol grip 39A not rare?

Did the Marlin rimfire lever gun buyers of the past prefer the longer and heavier 24" barreled guns? If so, what was different in the 20th century compared to what the internet boards wish they had in the 21st century?

One would think that the shorter barrel straight stocked versions would have been cheaper to build and sell, which should have driven higher sales volume of the shorter 39s over the longer 39s.

 

[chicharrones]

Oh dang, I forgot. My 9422 has broken as well, they are not bulletproof either. In my case mine was knocked off the bench with the lever open, and landed directly on the lever, which snapped some internal part (I forget which one) and locked up the gun. After disassembly and a new part the gun was up and running good as new.
Truth be told my 39a has been my only .22 lever gun that hasn't broken...mostly because I had other options that I always chose to shoot instead, and its not as well suited for children when its time for plinking as the 9422 and bl22 are.

The only two problems my 39AS ever had were when I forgot to release the ejector after cleaning the barrel and occasional light strikes.

The cure for the ejector was to remember to turn the ejector release screw to let the ejector do its job.

The cure for the light strikes was to remove the rebound leg of the rebounding hammer strut.

I didn't have an alternative .22 LR rifle to choose over my 39AS for nearly 20 years. So, my rimfire rifle duty was always with the 39AS in that time frame.

 

[3Crows]

Did the Marlin rimfire lever gun buyers of the past prefer the longer and heavier 24" barreled guns? If so, what was different in the 20th century compared to what the internet boards wish they had in the 21st century?

Actually yes. The 39A in some forms was an anachronism, out of it's time, a rifle from the late 1800s, not a 20th Century design. Rifleman with open sights preferred longer barrels I assume for sighting precision. Yes, long barrels and sights as far apart as possible were the cat's meow back then in the time before optical scopes. And that meant rifles with long barrels. A 24 inches barrel was not unusual. Look at a lot of older rifles from the late 1800s and early 1900s, they have long barrels compared to what similar calibers would sport today. It is not that the long barrel was more accurate, only that sighting with a long barrel resulted in better accuracy.

And another difference. Today we blast away with 22 ammo as if it grows on trees and is cheap. In the times before the GD (Great Depression), and even later, some folks hunted to survive day to day. Ammo was a big expense. My grandfather came from those times. He was sparing with ammo, never took a shot he was not confident in. He would dole out a few pellets for my air rifles or even a tiny packet of BBs and when it got to expensive .22 ammo I was lucky to get two or three, maybe only one round and it had to count. That explains, if reading about Annie Oakley why she was a pretty good shot, she pot hunted and the shots had to count. So she did not miss. Now we burn a brick and grab another and complain when there are not piles of .22 ammo on the shelf.

 

[chicharrones]

Actually yes. The 39A in some forms was an anachronism, out of it's time, a rifle from the late 1800s, not a 20th Century design. Rifleman with open sights preferred longer barrels I assume for sighting precision. Yes, long barrels and sights as far apart as possible were the cat's meow back then in the time before optical scopes. And that meant rifles with long barrels. A 24 inches barrel was not unusual. Look at a lot of older rifles from the late 1800s and early 1900s, they have long barrels compared to what similar calibers would sport today. It is not that the long barrel was more accurate, only that sighting with a long barrel resulted in better accuracy.

And another difference. Today we blast away with 22 ammo as if it grows on trees and is cheap. In the times before the GD (Great Depression), and even later, some folks hunted to survive day to day. Ammo was a big expense. My grandfather came from those times. He was sparing with ammo, never took a shot he was not confident in. He would dole out a few pellets for my air rifles or even a tiny packet of BBs and when it got to expensive .22 ammo I was lucky to get two or three, maybe only one round and it had to count. That explains, if reading about Annie Oakley why she was a pretty good shot, she pot hunted and the shots had to count. So she did not miss. Now we burn a brick and grab another and complain when there are not piles of .22 ammo on the shelf.

Threads like this sometimes make me reevaluate what I have. I took out my 24" 39AS this morning comparing it to my 16" 1894 CSBL, just because it was a lever gun kind of day.

Rimfire versus centerfire isn't exactly an apples to apples comparison, but they weigh nearly the same w/o optics and they are Marlins with "similar" actions and stocks. The balance point between the two was clearly different. What the 39AS has over the CSBL is better front sight stability while shooting from a standing position. What an advantage that can be for someone with good enough eyes to use iron sights away from a rest. (Like me in my pre-progressive lens wearing past.)

 

[The Happy Kaboomer]

These are my 3........Need no others.

 

[chicharrones]

These are my 3........Need no others.

An awesome collection of rimfire lever guns.

In your experience with them, what would you say are the pros and cons for each one?

 

[flightsimmer]

One of the few times I have screwed up by selling any of my firearms is when I sold a Winchester model 9422 and a matching Winchester model 94 in 30-30 caliber. Both functioned perfectly and I bought them for $100.00 each.

 

[flightsimmer]

Not, but I just went back to check it out. Thanks. My old memory must be foggy because the picture, if correct, doesn't remind me of my experience having previously owned the Winny and now the Marlin. Maybe mine was a Trapper? Don't know.

 

[3Crows]

One of the few times I have screwed up by selling any of my firearms is when I sold a Winchester model 9422 and a matching Winchester model 94 in 30-30 caliber. Both functioned perfectly and I bought them for $100.00 each.

I agree, you definitely _______ up on that one as in screwed the pooch.

 

[crestoncowboy]

One of the few times I have screwed up by selling any of my firearms is when I sold a Winchester model 9422 and a matching Winchester model 94 in 30-30 caliber. Both functioned perfectly and I bought them for $100.00 each.

Mine was a rather unremarkable first gun i had. A topper 99 with next to no blue. Lol. I couldn't afford 410 shells in school so I sold it for 75 I gave for it. Lol. Could probably get another for 75 BUT I wouldn't have "another one". Id like to have mine back though.

 

[cheoah]

I've got all three, carried the BL-22 in my farm truck for many years. I haven't decided between my 1959 39A Golden Mountie passed down from dad or the 9422. I don't know that I could sell either. I have skinners on all of mine.

The Marlin has a very nice trigger and is very accurate. The action isn't as smooth as the Winchester. These are just my rifles, I've never shot other examples of them.

 

[az_imuth]

I own and fire all of them fairly regularly. The only one I've had to replace parts on are the Marlins. That danged ejector spring on the Marlins is a real pain in the ****, and they are the roughest action out of the bunch. Over the years, posters have told me that they haven't been fired enough and that they would smooth out over time. Well, one of them has 70 years on it and it doesn't approach any of the other brands as far as 'smooth' goes. I've never had any of the others fail on me except an older model 39A. Replaced the ejector, and then later the ejector spring. Even with the "weak link" on the Marlin, I still rank them in the following order: Winchester 9422, Marlin 39 series, Browning, and Henry. Although the Marlin is the only one that has failed, it is still a well built rifle for the most part. I also have an Ithaca that I haven't shot much, but it has features that make it quite nice for teaching a new shooter. It's the model 49, I believe...a single shot lever gun...sort of.
Just my personal experience. I love to shoot them all and will never sell one as long as I'm walking this earth.

 

[Mosin77]

IMO too smooth = boring. I think that’s another reason I like the Marlin. It feels mechanical. Not obnoxious or rough, just tactile.

 

[3Crows]

Since the 39A is an original and designed in a time when things were real then I figure the way the 39A feels when worked is how a lever gun should feel. All of this "smooth" stuff began I guess with CAS or something maybe.

 

[chicharrones]

Since the 39A is an original and designed in a time when things were real then I figure the way the 39A feels when worked is how a lever gun should feel. All of this "smooth" stuff began I guess with CAS or something maybe.

Hard to say. My 39AS feels mechanical and relatively clunky. My 1894 CSBL feels slickery smooth by comparison. The internal mechanisms are entirely different, that's for sure.

 

[OilyPablo]

Since the 39A is an original and designed in a time when things were real then I figure the way the 39A feels when worked is how a lever gun should feel. All of this "smooth" stuff began I guess with CAS or something maybe.

It was a "goal" before CAS. The 1894 mechanism and the 9422 in particular are "smoother" in feel - to complete a cycle. I think this was by design.

 

[flightsimmer]

The thing that impressed me of the 9422 was the controlled feed of the cartridge.
Pointed up, down, sideways or even upside down it still reliably fed the cartridge.

 

[Rodfac]

Here's my Marlin 39 Century Limited...a bit lighter than the Marlin Mountie I gave to my #1 son 30 years ago, and handles a bit better as well. The scope is a Leupold Alaskan 2.5x from the '80s (a 7/8" tube model which looks just right on the Marlin). Mine is accurate with most any .22 ammunition but especially perks with standard velocity CCI's.

My #2 son has a Winchester 9422 XTR that's been superb for the past 20 years. It's well made, a bit lighter than my Marlin and equally fun to shoot. No pics of it however.

Best regards, Rod

​

 

[cheoah]

Since the 39A is an original and designed in a time when things were real then I figure the way the 39A feels when worked is how a lever gun should feel. All of this "smooth" stuff began I guess with CAS or something maybe.

My 1873 is from a bygone era and darn if it doesn't sing. My 94's do too for that matter. If I imagine myself 75 years ago, I'd still struggle with the Mounties' action, but I'd apply myself to the issue and try and tune it. Especially if it was standing between me and squirrels lol. I don't have to imagine that scenario too hard, its the story of my childhood winters.

I have not worked on that action yet and look forward to it. It's in a substantial queue lol. I enjoy smithing as much as I do shooting.

 

[3Crows]

Here's my Marlin 39 Century Limited...a bit lighter than the Marlin Mountie I gave to my #1 son 30 years ago, and handles a bit better as well. The scope is a Leupold Alaskan 2.5x from the '80s (a 7/8" tube model which looks just right on the Marlin). Mine is accurate with most any .22 ammunition but especially perks with standard velocity CCI's.

My #2 son has a Winchester 9422 XTR that's been superb for the past 20 years. It's well made, a bit lighter than my Marlin and equally fun to shoot. No pics of it however.

Best regards, Rod

​

Nice!!!! Is that a Weaver mount? And a Weaver K(?)?

 

[3Crows]

My 1873 is from a bygone era and darn if it doesn't sing. My 94's do too for that matter. If I imagine myself 75 years ago, I'd still struggle with the Mounties' action, but I'd apply myself to the issue and try and tune it. Especially if it was standing between me and squirrels lol.

I have probably killed a zillion tree rats with my 39A so whatever we consider the action to be or not be it apparently has not stood in my way.