AStone
Member
Happy new year, 39'ers.
May 2013 be better than 2012.
(And the world didn't end on 12.21.12.)
May 2013 be better than 2012.
(And the world didn't end on 12.21.12.)
The Marlin 39 Club
- Thread starter AStone
- Start date
- Status
Fast Frank
Member
BUMP.
Haven't fired a gun in a while.
Ammo is unavailable, and it looks like it's gonna stay that way for the foreseeable future.
I'm holding what I have and waiting.
Hang in there, guys!
Haven't fired a gun in a while.
Ammo is unavailable, and it looks like it's gonna stay that way for the foreseeable future.
I'm holding what I have and waiting.
Hang in there, guys!
Fast Frank
Member
Rimfire rifles are picky about ammo, and there's no telling what your rifle will like. They all have their favorite bullet.
You have to buy different ammo and try it for yourself.
Your rifle might like the same stuff as mine, and it might not.
A good all around bullet that shoots pretty good in almost all rifles is the CCI MiniMag round nose 40 grain bullet.
There's a good chance that experimenting can find something that groups better, but the minimag is clean, reliable, and accurate enough for most situations.
Try that, if you can find it.
You have to buy different ammo and try it for yourself.
Your rifle might like the same stuff as mine, and it might not.
A good all around bullet that shoots pretty good in almost all rifles is the CCI MiniMag round nose 40 grain bullet.
There's a good chance that experimenting can find something that groups better, but the minimag is clean, reliable, and accurate enough for most situations.
Try that, if you can find it.
dfariswheel
Member
- Joined
- Dec 26, 2002
- Messages
- 6,651
Assuming you have a 1950's model, you can buy a good replica, or you might still find originals.
Exactly what design you need, you'd have to ask a collector because the butt plate design did change over the years.
Beware of buying "original" plates, because most will be new made replicas.
I'll assume you have the version that has checkering and with the Marlin name sideways on the center, which was used in the 50's.
Here's some good replicas:
http://www.vintagegungrips.net/mabu1.html
http://www.gungrip.com/detail_B342__154__Marlin buttplate.html
Some parts houses list Marlin 39-A plates, but ask if they're originals. Originals from the 50's were actually a hard black rubber.
http://www.poppertsgunparts.com/cgi-bin/webdata/webdata_gunparts.cgi
Exactly what design you need, you'd have to ask a collector because the butt plate design did change over the years.
Beware of buying "original" plates, because most will be new made replicas.
I'll assume you have the version that has checkering and with the Marlin name sideways on the center, which was used in the 50's.
Here's some good replicas:
http://www.vintagegungrips.net/mabu1.html
http://www.gungrip.com/detail_B342__154__Marlin buttplate.html
Some parts houses list Marlin 39-A plates, but ask if they're originals. Originals from the 50's were actually a hard black rubber.
http://www.poppertsgunparts.com/cgi-bin/webdata/webdata_gunparts.cgi
casecolor
Member
Hi Guys, Been away from the clubhouse for awhile now, and have some cathing up to do, been lot going on over the Holidays! Finally got a few pics of the new to me (well about 6 months ago now!) 39m loaded.
When the rifle arived at the FFL the stock was broke, so had a new marlin stock put on ( I belive from Numrich) it dose not match the forearm exactally, but close enough, or as close as Im going to get anyway. I took the first picture under the tree back in late November with its original sights on it, put the peep sight on it a couple weeks ago. Havent had any range time with it yet though, may not get to shoot it till spring the way thing have been going, but cant wait to get to the range/woods with it
.
When the rifle arived at the FFL the stock was broke, so had a new marlin stock put on ( I belive from Numrich) it dose not match the forearm exactally, but close enough, or as close as Im going to get anyway. I took the first picture under the tree back in late November with its original sights on it, put the peep sight on it a couple weeks ago. Havent had any range time with it yet though, may not get to shoot it till spring the way thing have been going, but cant wait to get to the range/woods with it
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forestdavegump
Member
Great rifles
We love ours!
We love ours!
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Blue Armadillo
Member
Back in July of 2012, I was one p*****-off Marlin owner.
Time for an update:
It did go back to the factory twice before it got right, but it did get right on the second try.
Even though they did eventually make it right, and even though all the customer service folks were very nice, I'll be leery of buying any new Remingtons/Marlins from now own.
That said, the 39a still has its quirks: it's finicky about feeding the Federal bulk pack my other two .22s prefer; and I didn't even mention the front sling stud falling off when I tried to snap the swivel on. With all that....
This is still my pet rifle.
My ARs and HKs are feeling blue.
Time for an update:
It did go back to the factory twice before it got right, but it did get right on the second try.
Even though they did eventually make it right, and even though all the customer service folks were very nice, I'll be leery of buying any new Remingtons/Marlins from now own.
That said, the 39a still has its quirks: it's finicky about feeding the Federal bulk pack my other two .22s prefer; and I didn't even mention the front sling stud falling off when I tried to snap the swivel on. With all that....
This is still my pet rifle.
My ARs and HKs are feeling blue.
AStone
Member
I wonder what it is about them that makes them so finicky with feeding? Mine is the same way, and it's not a Remlin.
I mean, I never hear of 10-22 owners - or any other rifle - complaining about that.
What is it about 39's? Are the older one's so finicky?
I mean, I never hear of 10-22 owners - or any other rifle - complaining about that.
What is it about 39's? Are the older one's so finicky?
robowo
Member
I love my model 39M. It was made in 1978.
Nematocyst, mine was made in 1978 and I have no feeding problems with any brand of ammo. I use everything from Federal, Remington and Winchester bulk ammo to target ammo to Eley match ammo. The key with a lot of lever action rifles is a smooth, fairly quick movement of the lever.
Nematocyst, mine was made in 1978 and I have no feeding problems with any brand of ammo. I use everything from Federal, Remington and Winchester bulk ammo to target ammo to Eley match ammo. The key with a lot of lever action rifles is a smooth, fairly quick movement of the lever.
cpt-t
Member
Marlin 39A
Marlin 39A: My first rifle, my wife gave it to me on our first Xmas in 1963. I was so proud of that rifle, I thought I was going to bust, I hunted something most every weekend with it. I have shot my Marlin 39A thousands of times, and killed a truck load of varmints and small game with it. I bought my 39A NIB, and have never had a problem of any kind with it. Mine will feed shorts,longs, and long rifles mixed tograther, I did that a few times to prove to others that the rifle would not only feed and cycle, but so smoothly that you could not tell which round was feeding. My Son found a old 39A NIB about 15 years ago, that had been just sitting in and Old Ladies closet for many years. And His shoots every bit as well as mine. We treasure both of our rifles. It really bothers me that the reptation & quality level of the New Marlin Rifles have fallen to such a low level. We have several Old Marlin Rifles and they all shoot great.
ken
Marlin 39A: My first rifle, my wife gave it to me on our first Xmas in 1963. I was so proud of that rifle, I thought I was going to bust, I hunted something most every weekend with it. I have shot my Marlin 39A thousands of times, and killed a truck load of varmints and small game with it. I bought my 39A NIB, and have never had a problem of any kind with it. Mine will feed shorts,longs, and long rifles mixed tograther, I did that a few times to prove to others that the rifle would not only feed and cycle, but so smoothly that you could not tell which round was feeding. My Son found a old 39A NIB about 15 years ago, that had been just sitting in and Old Ladies closet for many years. And His shoots every bit as well as mine. We treasure both of our rifles. It really bothers me that the reptation & quality level of the New Marlin Rifles have fallen to such a low level. We have several Old Marlin Rifles and they all shoot great.
ken
jblackfish
Member
I'm late to this party but I just bought a 1978 39A (new, unfired) from an estate sale. I still haven't gotten it but I'm planning to start reading through this thread to pick up all the info that I can about its care before I take it to the range. Glad I found you guys.
fiddleharp
Member
Say, jblackfish, do you mind me asking how much you paid for it?
I have the exact same model I bought new from a hardware store in Louisiana in 1978 for the princely sum of $117, which I thought outrageous at the time.
Too bad the American dollar has lost so much of its value.
I have the exact same model I bought new from a hardware store in Louisiana in 1978 for the princely sum of $117, which I thought outrageous at the time.
Too bad the American dollar has lost so much of its value.
jblackfish
Member
I don't mind - $550 plus a small shipping charge. The seller is the son-in-law of the collector/owner and gave me a brief history from the owner's notes - he had bought it in 1979 in Wichita, KS, for $113. There you go.
texasred777
Member
That's a BARGAIN
Hey, that's a bargain in today's market! I bought a really nice 39as in 2011. It's a 1990 model. I am the third owner and talked to the second owner. He didn't know how much the first owner had used the gun; but that he and his family had put thousands on rounds through it. I paid $400 for it! You only paid $550 for a 1978 UNFIRED one? Yes, I think you got a real STEAL on the gun. Here is the one that I bought and would really like to see some pics of yours.
Hey, that's a bargain in today's market! I bought a really nice 39as in 2011. It's a 1990 model. I am the third owner and talked to the second owner. He didn't know how much the first owner had used the gun; but that he and his family had put thousands on rounds through it. I paid $400 for it! You only paid $550 for a 1978 UNFIRED one? Yes, I think you got a real STEAL on the gun. Here is the one that I bought and would really like to see some pics of yours.
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jblackfish
Member
Texasred, I am currently waiting to get my 39A but I posted the 5 pics the seller sent me in this thread:
http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/rimfires/110303-1978-39a.html#post1288191
http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/rimfires/110303-1978-39a.html#post1288191
texasred777
Member
reply
That's a great looking shootin' iron! I like the color of the wood better than the one I have.
That's a great looking shootin' iron! I like the color of the wood better than the one I have.
jblackfish
Member
That bird's eye on the butt stock is really attractive and sets it apart from "plain" wood versions - give it character. Very nice!
fiddleharp
Member
Hey jblackfish, I just visited the link you provided, and yeah, that's a real beauty indeed!
Your great-grandchildren will enjoy that rifle, providing that gun ownership by serfs will still be legal then.
My 1978 39A was treated as a "truck gun" when I was a young man living in the boondocks. Of course, in those days, nobody had any idea that someday these commonplace rifles would someday become semi-precious collector's items, commanding top dollar on the worldwide web.
My 39A lived a tough life, and shows it today. However, after all these decades of use and abuse, it still puts the bullets where I want them.
Originally, the trigger was too heavy for my taste, so I had a gunsmith lighten it in 1979. That served me well until the summer of 1985, when I was in the midst of a prairie dog massacre in Eastern Colorado. After my 60th kill one day, my hammer suddenly would not cock. Something wrong with the sear. It wouldn't catch.
I took it as God's way of saying, "That's enough!"
It was quickly repaired by another smith, and from that day to this, my 39A has performed flawlessly.
Your Marlin will last long past your lifetime, so go ahead and shoot the hell out of it! It'll still seem like a new rifle to your heirs, and their heirs!
Marlin sure knew how to build 'em, back in the day.
Your great-grandchildren will enjoy that rifle, providing that gun ownership by serfs will still be legal then.
My 1978 39A was treated as a "truck gun" when I was a young man living in the boondocks. Of course, in those days, nobody had any idea that someday these commonplace rifles would someday become semi-precious collector's items, commanding top dollar on the worldwide web.
My 39A lived a tough life, and shows it today. However, after all these decades of use and abuse, it still puts the bullets where I want them.
Originally, the trigger was too heavy for my taste, so I had a gunsmith lighten it in 1979. That served me well until the summer of 1985, when I was in the midst of a prairie dog massacre in Eastern Colorado. After my 60th kill one day, my hammer suddenly would not cock. Something wrong with the sear. It wouldn't catch.
I took it as God's way of saying, "That's enough!"
It was quickly repaired by another smith, and from that day to this, my 39A has performed flawlessly.
Your Marlin will last long past your lifetime, so go ahead and shoot the hell out of it! It'll still seem like a new rifle to your heirs, and their heirs!
Marlin sure knew how to build 'em, back in the day.
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SDHillbilly
Member
- Joined
- May 14, 2012
- Messages
- 20
1955 model
Finally purchased a 39A last weekend after discovering this thread last year. I have not been out to the range yet but it looks like I will be able to this weekend.
I am very interested in scoping this rifle with a period set up, and from what I understand that is going to start with the Weaver Side Mount that matches up to the 4 holes on the left side of the barrel in front of the receiver.
My question is what options do I have when it comes to getting a scope on this rifle without d/t new holes.
Finally purchased a 39A last weekend after discovering this thread last year. I have not been out to the range yet but it looks like I will be able to this weekend.
I am very interested in scoping this rifle with a period set up, and from what I understand that is going to start with the Weaver Side Mount that matches up to the 4 holes on the left side of the barrel in front of the receiver.
My question is what options do I have when it comes to getting a scope on this rifle without d/t new holes.
jblackfish
Member
I'd be interested in the options too - I'd like to put a scope on my eventually if it doesn't "mess" it up looks esthetically. When you said "period set up" it peaked my interest.
SDHillbilly
Member
- Joined
- May 14, 2012
- Messages
- 20
I hope someone with alot more know-how than me chimes in, but what I know of so far is that the 4 holes in the bbl are there for a scope mount. What I dont know is if a current scope mount is made, or if I have to hunt down an antique.
Just by chance I have located what might be the correct scope already. It is a V22 3x6 in a 3/4 inch tube, but I am still not sure about this either.
Just by chance I have located what might be the correct scope already. It is a V22 3x6 in a 3/4 inch tube, but I am still not sure about this either.
texasred777
Member
Mounting a scope on the 39a
Although I have NOT installed it yet; I have a 'rail' for my 39a that bolts to the already drilled holes on the top of the receiver. You probably already know this--but just in case.
Although I have NOT installed it yet; I have a 'rail' for my 39a that bolts to the already drilled holes on the top of the receiver. You probably already know this--but just in case.
New to Me 39A Mountie
First post on the Marlin 39 Club thread. Back in 1966 when I enlisted in the US Army I sold my beloved Golden 39A to a neighbor who loved it as much as I did.
While the Marlin Mountie was my favorite style none were available locally when I went to buy a 22 rifle, so I went with the 24" pistol grip model anyway. I always missed that gun and regretted selling it. Was the most accurate rifle I ever owned.
Fast forward to 2013. An old gent (quite a bit older than me) walked into my LGS with a 1955 version 39A "Mountie" wanting to sell it. He is losing his eye sight can't shoot anymore and wanted it to go to a good home. A little dirty after decades in the closet, but I paid the gent, we shook hands, and I took the Mountie home. After a very thorough cleaning it is smooth and ready. Can't wait to shoot it. What a solid little rifle. Funny thing is I really wanted the Mountie version back in 1965 when I first bought my Golden 39A but the store only had the pistol grip 24" bbl version. Now all these years later I finally have the Mountie, my true love!
First post on the Marlin 39 Club thread. Back in 1966 when I enlisted in the US Army I sold my beloved Golden 39A to a neighbor who loved it as much as I did.
While the Marlin Mountie was my favorite style none were available locally when I went to buy a 22 rifle, so I went with the 24" pistol grip model anyway. I always missed that gun and regretted selling it. Was the most accurate rifle I ever owned.
Fast forward to 2013. An old gent (quite a bit older than me) walked into my LGS with a 1955 version 39A "Mountie" wanting to sell it. He is losing his eye sight can't shoot anymore and wanted it to go to a good home. A little dirty after decades in the closet, but I paid the gent, we shook hands, and I took the Mountie home. After a very thorough cleaning it is smooth and ready. Can't wait to shoot it. What a solid little rifle. Funny thing is I really wanted the Mountie version back in 1965 when I first bought my Golden 39A but the store only had the pistol grip 24" bbl version. Now all these years later I finally have the Mountie, my true love!
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