Can't remember whether or not I joined this group. Oh, well. Got my first Marlin 39A, manufactured 1948, about 1951 or '52. Back when we were all Evil and Stupid and a 12 year old kid could wander the hills with his rifle, in peace. Gave that one to my younger son a few days ago.
Well, seven years back I found an older 39A, manufactured in 1941. Wife calls it an "antique", I don't understand, it is a year younger than I. Anyway I like it, beautiful internal machining, better than my 1948. Which I suspect (no proof, just suspect) is much better than recent production rifles.
As are many others, I am convinced that the Marlin 39A was the absolute best .22 rifle a young, or old, man could have.
Maybe it is not such a shame that they stopped making those "improved" things with cross-bolt safety, rebounding hammer & whatever loading details. If one longs for a 39A, one ought search for a good OLD one anyway.
In my not-at-all-humble opinion.