The Marlin 39 Club

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A little something for the club

Finally got to do a little shooting this past Sunday. Had a good session. This particular trip was all about sighting in, so it wasn't the average plinking session.

I took 3 brands along, Federal Champion HP, Winchester bulk HP and Federal Champion round nose. I also took along a few Shoot 'N C targets.

Those Shoot 'N Cs are helpful for sighting in. The smaller ones are still hard to see at 25 yards, but still pretty good. The bigger ones I'll save for the 50 yard line.

Gun was shooting to the right with all 3 brands. Gave the Skinner dovetail a few taps to the left, and it's shooting better now. Not perfect... but better. There was a light variable wind (5-10 mph) too, so that could have been a bit of a factor.

Still - towards the last third of the session, I wasn't missing much. :)

I topped it off with two Aguila Interceptors in the chamber. They are 40 grain with a gentle meplat to them. Rated at 1470 fps on the box (for what it's worth); the power over the other 3 brands above was noticeable. Seems like it would be a near-ideal hunting round, with more body to it than a Stinger or some of the other lighter hyper-vel loads. Me likey.

Now that I've gotten back to a computer, I see that I should try tapping the front sight the opposite way that I want the round to go (a little right) to hopefully get the rounds to shoot a little more left. But first... I have to clean the barrel and repeat some testing to make sure it shoots the same as it does fairly dirty. It's been awhile, and I don't clean after every session.

It's only about a half-inch off at 25 yards right now with any brand. Maybe I'm asking too much, I don't know. It is bulk ammo, after all. Thoughts?


All in all, it was a good session. Almost there. Can't wait for the next one!
 
Brass Rear Sight ?

Could someone tell me who makes the brass rear sight in "SGW42's" post of Sept. 5th. And I would be interested to know how well it works compared to the original sight.
Concerning the ammo posts, my 2007 M39A only reliably shoots CCI Mini Mags. After shooting any lead ammo, the shells get stuck in the chamber and have to be pried out. The shells from the lead ammo always are bulged out and distorted at the back of the shell where the firing pin strikes; not so with the CCI Mini Mag shells. Very annoyed and perplexed with the lead.
Thanks,
 
I have a 1959 Mountie, which is very accurate. However, the cartridge stop broke recentlly, and the gun jammed. I ordered a new one (cartridge stopm not gun), but the gun still jams. The new stop (I'm using the old spacer washer) doesn't retain the rounds in the magazine. When I work the lever, two rounds pop out. I broke the gun down and pushed 3 rounds into the magazine. The cartridge stop will retain them, but when I slide the bolt back and depress the stop, 2 or 3 rounds pop out.

I apologize if this topic has been covered in previous discussions, but I'd really like some advice. Thanks.
 
Newbie

Just found this 'club.' I've owned my 39A, SN M8536, since I was about 14. I have it in pieces right now, getting ready to have it re-blued (I did a cold-blue refinish myself about 40 years ago and it is ready for a professional re-do.) But to the point: the butt plate was chipped about 20 years ago and I have not been able to find one. Any good source for this part would be appreciated. BTW, I paired it with an S&W Model 39 (appropriate I think) in nickel that I carried as a duty weapon for many years. These are my two favorite guns, just need to get the Mountie back in service.
 
Could someone tell me who makes the brass rear sight in "SGW42's" post of Sept. 5th. And I would be interested to know how well it works compared to the original sight.
Click to expand...

Tim Skinner aperture sight.

www.skinnersights.com

It was incredibly easy to install and works wonderfully. I've never heard of anyone speaking badly of them. He will make you any size aperture and front sight you want.
 
SWG42,
Thanks for the reply. I'll check out his website. Can the new rear sight also work with the original front sight or do you have to install a new front sight also?
 
With my '06 or '07 manufacture 39A, I can (and do) use the factory front sight with the Skinner. Just folded the factory rear leaf down.
 
Marlin issue

Hey all,

Got my first marlin 39a this week. I went to a gun show and there were about 10 of them in various states. I picked up a 39a golden from circa 1981 with good looking wood and overall very good condition. However, something I didn't notice until I got home, and this is because I am a total newbie to lever action guns, is that the lever does not sit flush with the stock. Picture below. I haven't yet fired the rifle, but otherwise it seems in perfect shape. Action feels nice, innards look right, it cycles rounds fine, the trigger drops. Is it something I should be concerned about? Anyone have any ideas of why the lever won't sit flush with the stock?
 

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I'm not an expurt but from what I see, I'd guess someone refinished or replaced the stock and got carried away with sanding it. My Mountie is a metal to metal fit when the lever is closed.
 
I had a 39A and sold it, and now I want another. My rifle was purchased in the mid 90's. I installed the scope rail that came with it. I bought some Millett rings and put a Weaver 2.5x-7x scope on it. It was a friggin death-ray on squirrels. I don't hunt much anymore (I fish a lot, though). But I'd still love to have mine back and just fondle it for awhile.
 
Cardboard Killer, It looks to me that it is just hanging down. There is a flat tension spring inside that you can increase the tension on take up the slack. Easy to do. Just take the rifle down with the take down screw and it will be obvious.
James
 
"Golden 39A"

My very first gun=Marlin Golden 39A. Bought in '68' with paper route $ new for $89.95, from Sunshine Hardware, Naples, Fla. Got a lot of use over the first 20 years. Marlin had a "Tune-up" program-sent back to them for all worn springs/screws to be replaced-had factory re-blue, new gold trigger, outer shot tube replaced, and sling swivels installed. Cost about $125.00, back then, but came back a like new rifle. Will stay in my family for generations to come....:)
 
Cardboard killer said:
the lever does not sit flush with the stock.
Click to expand...
It's hard to tell from the picture, but that looks normal to me. The lever is not supposed to sit flush with the stock, it should standoff uniformly about 1/8" inch. Is the ear on the lever located just behind the trigger touching the plate? If it is, then there's no problem. If it isn't, then the spring jwmtx mentioned needs adjusting or replacing. With the lever fully open, remove the screw forward of the lever to remove the spring for "adjustment".
 
Managed to get the 39 out for a walk this morning.

ogrousehunting.jpg


Only kicked up one grouse and he wouldn't leave the thick cover - smart bird, twice now this same dude has rejected my invitation to supper.

Decided to do a little plinking instead.
linking.jpg

This gives me an idea for another 39 match...
 
JustsayMo,

I was planning to get out with my 39A and do the same thing but my buddy couldn't go. May try next week. I was going to try the eastern foothills of the Olympics near the base of the Hood Canal. There are some nice areas that look like they can be productive. There is quite a bit of hunting pressure in there though. Just have to go during the week and be willing to work a little.
 
Bought my first new rifle Oct 06 and is of coarse a 39A. I was interested in shooting steel chicks, pig,turkeys and rams at the time. I finally joined the Beloit Rifle Club Dec. 08 and started shooting indoor paper Silhouette. We moved to outdoor range in April. I have moved up to class A which was my objective by end of Sept 09 shooting every Thurs eve. I will be doing a lot of indoor practicing over the winter season. Rifle is currently at the gunsmith for trigger work to 2.5lbs and can be 2# min. in hunter class. That should improve my accuracy to move me up into AA class by end of Sept 10. Also, gunsmith is bore sighting my new Simmons 6.5 - 20 X 44 that I am excited to try out. I should really be able to knock off those steel turkeys and rams 2010! Practice wil be in my book more and more. I also bought my first S&W 22a pistol this past summer. I love it too and does well knocking off those steel objects! I will be doing more practicing with it too, over the winter at our indoor range. I stand by my 39a as my first firearm! Now if I can only hold it steady as a rock!
 
Totter (or should we call you Teeter for short?), welcome to the club. Very cool story. Glad you've joined us. Hope you'll post some pics eventually, and keep us posted on movement into class A. What a cool objective using a 39A instead of some souped up bolt gun.

Alde, I lived in Olympia for a while, and occasionally made it up between Hood Canal and the Olympics. I mostly walked into the edge of the Buckhorn Wilderness from the east side, up the side of Buckhorn Peak over (east rim of) the headwaters of the Dungeness River. Spectacularly beautiful and rugged country.

Mo, thanks for posting those photos. Made me a little envious of you, dude. It's just been soo freakin' long since I've had the time to do that sort of thing. That grouse must know that s/he is living on borrowed time. I'll bet it would fly if it saw you without the 39, but knows it won't stand a chance with you and it if it comes out of hiding.
 
I selected an all round rifle even though I don't hunt. I'm partial to lever action as always wanted one. Yes, very few will use a 39A, but I have read that there are a feww people that are AAA and still use their 39a. I enjoy the sport and that is what counts. I can claim mid this past summer at state shoot, took 3rd in B class. We had shoot out for tied second place and I lost. Great experience. Nice thing though, we have 2 AAA shooters, and they have given me pointers and 1 one of them has been my mentor. I might try bench rest with my 39, just for fun next year. Local gunsmith keeps asking me when am I going to join them on Saturday mornings. 6X is max at 50yds. I will have to ask for 6.5X approval and see what they say. At my age, they will probably allow handicap! Plus, when they see my 39a, they will chuckle as I would pose no threat. Buuuuut, some might be surprised! lol
 
I clean my barrel with Hoppes snake with a little 9 on it. After about 300 rounds, due to the micro groves, I want to keep relatively clean. It takes about 15 rounds after cleaning to bring back the accuracy. My thought is with build up in the grooving, there is loss of accuracy. Any thoughts on my thought? I am a weekly steel Silhouette competitor going through 300-500 rds. Comments welcome with 39a target usage experience.
 
Depending on the ammunition, most .22's are more or less "self cleaning".
By this I mean that the rifle seldom looses accuracy from any fouling, because the bullets tend to clean out any fouling left by the previous round.
Cleaning the bore actually may cause damage to the barrel from cleaning gear wear.

Most Match .22 shooters usually only clean the bore at the end of the season, before storing the rifle, and that's mostly to prevent the bore from rusting.
I've seen .22's that would lead up from some cheap .22 ammo, but firing good grade plated ammo would actually clean the bore out.

My advice is to not clean the bore unless you're not going to be firing the rifle for a while and you live in a damp area.
I usually wipe the lube out of my 1950 Marlin 39-A in the spring, shoot it through late fall, then clean and lube for winter storage.
However, I watch things due to the damp area I live in.
 
Thank you Farisw...I assume this would be even when switiching ammo brands to try out? Also, if I shoot 2 days a weeks or 300 rds a week for 330days a year, forget any barrel cleaning? Or 4000 rds in that time frame, then clean or when accuracy is being lost? More thoughts please.
 
Kivaari, them's real purty rifles.

If you were going to tune a 39A trigger,
what would you set the pull at?

Do you work on 39s (and other levers), too, or just SKS?
 
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