optics suggestions for a Marlin Model 39?

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Shane333

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My eyesight isn't the greatest, and while I shoot fine with the 39 (I love that rifle), I'd love to have a little help to see what she can really do at 100 yards.

So I'm wondering which would be better, a fixed 4 power rimfire scope, or an adjustable 3-7 power scope?

Is there any real advantage to getting the scope with adjustable magnification? Does a rimfire really need more than a 4 power?

So far I've done almost all of my shooting with irons, so I admit to not being very familiar with optics. Any thoughts/suggestions are appreciated.

Oh, just an FYI, the Marlin already had a rail installed back in 1960 when my dad bought the rifle from Abercrombie and Fitch in San Francisco. Yup, you read that right. A&F used to sell guns, once upon a time. :what:
 
I had a fixed 4x rimfire on mine for a time that I liked. The only drawback was that it was aweful in extremely low light conditions. I think 4x is plenty.

FWIW, A&F owned Griffin and Howe back when they were converting M1 rifles into sniper versions.

Ty
 
Don't know the amount of money you have in mind. I find 4x is enough on rimfire. Variable would work too, but 4x is enough, and you get more for your money.

Two very good suggestions are a Nikon ProStaff rimfire 4x 32mm scope. Very good optically. Price near or under $100.

The other is a Weaver R4 4x 28mm rimfire scope. Usually priced around $125 or so. This one is a bit slimmer and less out of place on the Marlin you have.

These might be a step or so below the very top brands. But are worlds different than cheap, murky, dim scopes for $30-50.
 
Thats interesting Shane!

Buying guns from Abercrombie & Fitch...in California no less!

The ole 39 don't need no scope. You can't tell me you have trouble with those wide open sights now do ya? ;)

I feel your pain, those sights are probably the biggest (and only) drawback to that rifle.
 
If your eyes are over 40 why not go with a 1" tube? Put a regular rifle scope on there and see the difference. I wouldn't put a rimfire scope on - I have regular scopes on all my rimfires and it makes a world of difference that that puny rimfire scope.
 
The reason not to use centerfire scopes is they have parallax set for 100 yards or sometimes more. The Weaver and Nikon I suggested are in a one inch tube. They also have optical quality that puts many centerfire scopes to shame. They are only rimfire in the sense they have the parallax set for 50 yards. Which is a good place for a fixed rimfire scope to be set.

Other than that, sure those sub-1 inch diameter scopes just don't cut it.
 
Thanks to everyone for the comments. Sounds like a fixed 4x scope is about all I'll need.

The irons work well out to about 50 yards. Problem is that after a while my eyes get tired (after all, can't just shoot 20 rounds and quit when it's a .22 rifle. :D ). A little magnification would help relieve the strain on my eyes.

I'll go take a look at the suggested optics. I'm especially interested in the Weaver and Nikon scopes.
 
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