Marlin 39A

[robctwo]

I had an older Marlin 39A with a 4x scope that I got through some trading a number of years back. It was in pretty rough shape. Needed some smith work to fix the innards. It shot pretty good, but I had a 10/22 and wasn't into the lever gun much.

My daughter's boyfriend/partner fell in love with it a couple years ago. He was living out the little boy cowboy fantasy with a real firearm. I thought the kids should have a firearm on camping trips and around the house for some protection and this was the ticket. I now miss the gun.

At the gun show this weekend I found a couple fairly good 39A's for around $400. Also found a brand new one for $429. Trying to decide why the used are about the same $ as the brand new. Scope on one used and not on one. I have a couple scopes running around that would work so that isn't an issue.

There were also a bunch of older collector models in the $1,200-2,000 range. I'm just looking for a shooter.

 

[MechAg94]

I bought a Marlin 39A Golden 10 years ago. I could have sworn it wasn't anywhere near that expensive. Did they make different types of models?

I love the rifle though. I wanted a .22 LR rifle. I wanted a lever gun for some reason. Carter's country had the Marlin and a Browning. The browning was lighter and maybe handier, but it was a rattlebox with a real loose action. The marlin was tight. I thought a new rifle should be that way. The rifle is very acurate and the sights and overall feel make it quick to acquire the sights and target for accurate shooting.

 

[Eightball]

Becasue the used ones have a "worn in action". Seriously, that's the difference. Shot one that was 40 years old, smoothe as silk. Now I want one, but the price will keep it down my list for a while.

 

[dfariswheel]

Other reasons are, the current new version has a new cross-bolt safety and one or two minor internal changes.
Some new ones have some checkering that just doesn't look "right".

And, of course, like everything else quality of fit and finish on the older rifles was a little better.

Bottom line, people just think the older rifles are better and will pay new to more than new prices for them.