Questions about a Marlin 39A, opinions....

[offthepaper]

I've been thinking about buying a true "fun gun". Some thing that I can shoot cheaply, fairly accurate, and "fun" to shoot. Something that would be the most "fun" to take my grandkids shooting with one day.
Well, I 've pretty much decided that a Marlin 39A would pretty much fit that bill. What would be more fun than a lever action 22lr pliking cans with?
I'm not sure what they are costing these days, anyone know? New or a clean used. What should I expect to pay for a new/used 39A? Anything special I should check for on a used one? What type of ammo seems best? What were some of the options available on them?

 

[jmr40]

I can't think of a better choice. I have not priced new ones in a long time so I am afraid to guess. It is just a personal preferance but I prefer the straight stocked carbines with 20" barrel but they are hard to find. I have bought 2 in the last year. One made in 1967 and another made in 1957. Mine are in perfect shape from a funcional standpoint but show 40-50 years of honest use on the wood and metal finish. I paid $350 OTD for both of mine and feel they were a bargain at that price considering how rare the carbines are.

 

[EAJ]

I purchased a new Marlin 39A Golden last year through whittakerguns.com. At the time they had the best pricing. Expect to pay $450-$500.

 

[MachIVshooter]

$350-$450 used, $550-$600 new. But they're worth it. Definitely one of the finest rimfires made (also the longest continuously produced model)

 

[Big Daddy Grim]

good choice I love mine.

 

[jkingrph]

Dad bought me mine back in 1952 when I was in the second grade. I still have it and some day it will go to my son. It is one of the best made .22's out there and with a bit of care will last seveal lifetimes. Another plus is that it is a man sized rifle, no lightweight so small kids will have trouble holding it, thus will need a rest or bit of support. If I could keep only one gun that would be the one.

 

[fiddleharp]

Some folks don't like the "modern" ones with the rebounding hammer and cross-bolt safety.

 

[salvo]

Great choice offthepaper! I was given my granddads 39A 25 years ago when he passed. I loved that rifle but was asked about it by my uncle (Granddads son) he's not a gun guy, but wanted a .22 for his sons, so I gave it to him.
I finally replaced it this year with a newer 1982 39A It looks the same though and shoots even better than I remember. It was $350.00 and does not have the lawyer inspired safety/rebounding hammer.



Five shot groups at 25yds.

 

[ArmedBear]

I bought a new 39A a year and a half ago. Soon afterward, I saw a used 39M on the rack, and scraped together the money to buy that, too: that's how much I loved the 39A.

WRT the safety and rebounding hammer vs. no safety and conventional hammer: I have one of each now.

I couldn't care less which one I am shooting. The modern system offers a bit more safety for hunting, because you can use the safety to lower the hammer in total confidence you won't fire the gun, then take the safety off with the hammer down. It's drop-safe that way, and won't go off under any circumstances until you thumb the hammer back. The only downside is that you could forget to take off the crossbolt safety.

That said, the older system feels simpler and more "vintage."

Both guns are equally fun to shoot, and more fun to shoot than just about anything else I've had the privelege of trying -- especially when you factor in ammo cost!

 

[76shuvlinoff]

My dad has a 52 and I have a 77, although my 77 is pristine that beat up 52 is just a bit smoother. I will not give mine up until I simply can not shoot it anymore.

 

[Glockman17366]

I have a 1974 model...truly a sweet .22 rifle!

 

[mwsfarm]

Just got a new one, on gunbroker, paid $495, it had a new $100 scope on it. It is by far the nicest shooting .22 I have ever owned- In fact, I don't want it bouncing around in the pickup! I don't even want to use my 10/22 anymore!

you should buy one for each of the grandkids!

 

[SGW42]

If I remember correctly, I paid $430 for a NIB model a few months ago, and I considered that a heck of deal.

I had a hard time remembering that, because I've never had to. Once you get it in your hands and shoot some lead out of it, you'll never, ever look back.

 

[salvo]

What is that old saying? Quality is remembered long after price is forgotten.
Something like that any ways and the 39A definitely fits that saying

 

[krs]

All time favorite rifle. I've had several of them over the years and still have two - a 1952 and a 1956 models. One has an M8 - 4x Leupold scope while the other has a Marbles tang mounted peepsight.

They're both Ballard rifled barrels and both are in beautiful condition although each has signs of the years of fine shooting.

I used to hunt squirrel with a passion and for that there's no finer and more appropriate rifle. The action can be worked quietly and the rifles hold a morning's worth of ammo - sometimes a week's worth.

It's really a once in a lifetime buy that will do what it's supposed to do for the rest of your life and the life of whoever inherits it from you. So don't worry over the cost- a rifle this good is worth ten times whatever you pay for it.

 

[dat2]

I love mine, I wish they made a 22 mag like the model 39. or if they make it I had the money to buy it. the 39 is a great gun

 

[ProCarryNAustin]

I have one that has been in my family as long as I can remember. Mine has a 4x scope and has brought in more rabbit, squirrel, dove and other small game than all the other guns I have ever owned. Using the scope and subsonic ammunition, you can clear a tree full of squirrels before the first one notices you are there. With a solid rest, I have been able to take rabbits out to 75-100 yards with boring regularity. Just keeps getting better.

Daniel
Austin, Texas