Help Putting A Scope on Marlin 39A

[manderson]

I'm planning on putting 3-9x32mm scope on my Marlin 39A. I have little experience with rifles and scopes, being mostly a hand gun shooter. I am looking for suggestions on rings. The scope base is designed for "tip-off" rings. This is a 1967 Marlin 39A and I think the scope base came with the rifle originally, although I am not certain. But it was on the rifle when I bought it.

My question is do you think I can fit a 32mm scope with low rings, or do I need to go with medium? I've spent some time doing a little homework the past couple of days, and I think the idea is to keep the scope as low as possible.

Another question would be do you think I could fit a 40mm scope on the 39A with medium rings? I spoke with Marlin customer service and they basically said you would have to try the 40mm with medium rings to see if it fits. They also said it might fit, but you could have problems with the lens cap.

I am not dead set on the 3-9x32mm, and since I want to shoot at least 100 yards or more, I might want more magnification. There seems to be much debate over whether you can see 22LR holes in paper from 100 yards with 9X. On the other hand, I think a larger scope with high rings would probably be unnatural and uncomfortable for this rifle.

I'd appreciate any suggestions, thoughts and comments.

Thanks

Mark A.

 

[JSNAPS]

What is your application? Will you just shoot targets or go hunting with this rifle?

 

[manderson]

Just target shooting.

 

[Brian Williams]

If you are just target shooting, try this. Get a Williams Tang rear sight, Williams gold bead front sight, and a Merit adjustable peep disc. Have these installed and spend the money on a good spotting scope. If you are just shooting at 100 yards, work at it a bit, anybody can poke tiny little holes in a target at 100 yards with a 9x scope, make those groups with iron sights and have something to brag about. Besides a 3x9 40 scope on a 39a looks silly.

 

[manderson]

An honest question from an honest person who wants help putting a scope on a rifle. A sarcastic response, from a moderator no less.

 

[Jim Watson]

Yet you are still here.
I don't know The Answer but the Redfield and Weaver "tip-off" mounts I had on .22s of mine (not Marlin) were what I would call a medium height (I don't think they made but one size in those days.)

Seeing a .22 hole in the black at 100 yards with anything, even a 25x spotting scope, can be a challenge. I would not count on spotting my own hits with the rifle scope. Of course you will probably be able to see holes in the white before you adjust to center.

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

i would use a leaper's airgun/rimfire one-piece mount with integral rings. best option for 3/8" tip-off mounting and it's affordable. i think it only comes in medium and high profiles. link to the medium:

http://www.opticsplanet.net/leapers...th-integral-medium-profile-mount-rgpm2pa.html

it's hard for anyone to tell you what height you will need, since they vary by manufacturer, but i feel confident the medium i linked to will fit a 32 mm objective bell and most likely will fit the 40 mm as well. you are correct, low is always better, but the medium will put you close enough.

 

[manderson]

I bought the Clearidge Ultra RM 3-9x32, AO, Mil Dot, Matte and Warne 7.3/22 medium rings. I think this will do the job.