The Marlin 39 Club
- Thread starter AStone
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Sturgeon333
Member
Ordered my Marlin 39
I'm a first time gun owner. Or I will be when my Marlin 39 arrives--ordered it new last week. I looked at the Browning BL-22 and the Henry Golden Boy. Both seemed decent models, but the Browning was too small for me and the Henry a little too much "bling" for my tastes. So the Marlin it was.
I intend to use the Marlin to learn to shoot and have some fun at the same time. Not yet a hunter so the squirrels will be safe for now.
In Canada there is a fairly lengthy licensing process to go through before you are able to own a firearm. So I've been a little bit like a kid waiting for Christmas. Ordered the gun the day I got my license.
Thanks for starting this thread. I've learned a lot already.
I'm a first time gun owner. Or I will be when my Marlin 39 arrives--ordered it new last week. I looked at the Browning BL-22 and the Henry Golden Boy. Both seemed decent models, but the Browning was too small for me and the Henry a little too much "bling" for my tastes. So the Marlin it was.
I intend to use the Marlin to learn to shoot and have some fun at the same time. Not yet a hunter so the squirrels will be safe for now.
In Canada there is a fairly lengthy licensing process to go through before you are able to own a firearm. So I've been a little bit like a kid waiting for Christmas. Ordered the gun the day I got my license.
Thanks for starting this thread. I've learned a lot already.
AStone
Member
Gopher and Sturgeon, welcome.
I see you're both new at THR. Fantastic forum. Let us know if we can help you find anything. (Sturgeon, we're honored you made your first post here. Glad this thread has been of value.)
I see you're both new at THR. Fantastic forum. Let us know if we can help you find anything. (Sturgeon, we're honored you made your first post here. Glad this thread has been of value.)
What has been your most spectacular long-range shot (dumb luck or pure skill) with a 39? There are few things I like more than setting up reactive targets at well beyond .22 range, and then walking the shots in. My best effort was hitting a clay pigeon at 200 yards, off hand, iron sights, on the second shot out of a Win. 9422. This falls into the "dumb-luck" category for sure, but I for one would like to hear about other feats of .22 stretching, planned or otherwise.
Thanks for making a slow work day a little more interesting..
Thanks for making a slow work day a little more interesting..
AStone
Member
Sounds like an interesting exercise, MP.
I can't claim any thing significant with my 39, since it's new. And really, even though I've owned .22 before, even with them, I've got no impressive stories to tell about marksmanship at excessive distances.
But I'll read with interest. I'm betting there are potentially some useful ... um, knowledge and even skills that we can learn from such a discussion.
I can't claim any thing significant with my 39, since it's new. And really, even though I've owned .22 before, even with them, I've got no impressive stories to tell about marksmanship at excessive distances.
But I'll read with interest. I'm betting there are potentially some useful ... um, knowledge and even skills that we can learn from such a discussion.
AStone
Member
Every once in a while, just out of curiosity, I open Rifle Country, then click on "Views".
That action ranks all the currently active threads in rifle country by number of views.
Consistently, this thread about the 39 ranks at or near the top of the list.
Tonight, we're at the top (just below the stickies) at 5,485 views.
I find this fascinating in an age of AK, AR, long-range bolt guns, etc,
that a "lowly" lever gun can garner so much attention.
I struggle to understand it.
Opinions?
That action ranks all the currently active threads in rifle country by number of views.
Consistently, this thread about the 39 ranks at or near the top of the list.
Tonight, we're at the top (just below the stickies) at 5,485 views.
I find this fascinating in an age of AK, AR, long-range bolt guns, etc,
that a "lowly" lever gun can garner so much attention.
I struggle to understand it.
Opinions?
Brassman
Member
Nem
Simplicity is the word that best describes any lever gun, espcially a Marlin. There are so many things that can go wrong with a semi-auto that I can see why people are in love with levers. Then there's the nostalgia thing, "my Grandpa had one and he loved it and relied on it, so it must be fitting for me to own one too". It's a take-down arm and so easy to store in a backpack, etc. It's purty...it's made of wood and steel the way it's supposed to be.....compared to a fancy black rifle that somehow, at least for older people, resembles something out of science fiction and cannot be more than a toy. Of course we know black rifles are far from just toys, it's just an old perception. Just my opinions.
Simplicity is the word that best describes any lever gun, espcially a Marlin. There are so many things that can go wrong with a semi-auto that I can see why people are in love with levers. Then there's the nostalgia thing, "my Grandpa had one and he loved it and relied on it, so it must be fitting for me to own one too". It's a take-down arm and so easy to store in a backpack, etc. It's purty...it's made of wood and steel the way it's supposed to be.....compared to a fancy black rifle that somehow, at least for older people, resembles something out of science fiction and cannot be more than a toy. Of course we know black rifles are far from just toys, it's just an old perception. Just my opinions.
Brassman
Member
Now that I have my Skinner aperture rear sight and have taken off my scope, I can't think of anything I dislike about my 39A. Yeah, it has a 24" barrel and it makes the weapon a little long and heavy, but more accurate than most other .22's. I can live with a little extra weight and length if I know where I aim is where the bullet is going to go.
I've got a grooved scope mount rail supposed to be for a 39A that came with a .22 scope I bought on eBay. I'm keeping the scope and rings but I'll give the rail and mounting screws to the first reply to plattski at hotmail.com. Send a shipping address.
saltydog452
Member
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2004
- Messages
- 1,707
I lost mine. E-Mail follows. Thanks.
salty
salty
saltydog452
Member
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2004
- Messages
- 1,707
I've had mine since the late 60s and its been fun.
I changed the original front sight to a Lyman 17 AHB and the rear to a 66 MC sometine in the mid 70s.
Then my eyesight started changing and I gradually started using larger aperatures untill I finally had to remove the rear peep altogether.
A couple of deades later and another sight change was required. A 'flip up' rear with a dab of paint under the notch and a humongus front with a wide stripe on the face. Together, they made a kinda, sorta vertical 'post'.
Now it looks like I will need to use a telescope if I am going to be able to get anywhere near what I know the 39 to be capable of.
Thank you for the offer. Please include a return address.
salty.
I changed the original front sight to a Lyman 17 AHB and the rear to a 66 MC sometine in the mid 70s.
Then my eyesight started changing and I gradually started using larger aperatures untill I finally had to remove the rear peep altogether.
A couple of deades later and another sight change was required. A 'flip up' rear with a dab of paint under the notch and a humongus front with a wide stripe on the face. Together, they made a kinda, sorta vertical 'post'.
Now it looks like I will need to use a telescope if I am going to be able to get anywhere near what I know the 39 to be capable of.
Thank you for the offer. Please include a return address.
salty.
borrowedtime69
Member
front sight hood question along with others
so, in keeping with the old west rifle style, how many 39 marlin owners remove the front site hood, or do you just keep it on anyway to prevent glare? has anyone replaced the modern front sight with an aftermarket one that is, i think, the bead site?
also, do any of you get feeding "hiccups" while working the lever? for me, it happens approximately between every tube mag ful to every 2-3 mags full. i'll get one round that refuses to go in unless i back off on the lever and pull it back up again to feed the round into the chamber. i took it to a VERY reliable smith who did some cleaning, polishing, etc, but said it didnt happen for him and he saw nothing wrong with the gun. is the 39 a bit sensitive to slight anomilies while working the lever? ive switched from cci mini mag HP's to Mini-mag solid LRN and the feeding got a little better, but every once in a while, i get the hiccup. any thoughts? thanks -Eric
so, in keeping with the old west rifle style, how many 39 marlin owners remove the front site hood, or do you just keep it on anyway to prevent glare? has anyone replaced the modern front sight with an aftermarket one that is, i think, the bead site?
also, do any of you get feeding "hiccups" while working the lever? for me, it happens approximately between every tube mag ful to every 2-3 mags full. i'll get one round that refuses to go in unless i back off on the lever and pull it back up again to feed the round into the chamber. i took it to a VERY reliable smith who did some cleaning, polishing, etc, but said it didnt happen for him and he saw nothing wrong with the gun. is the 39 a bit sensitive to slight anomilies while working the lever? ive switched from cci mini mag HP's to Mini-mag solid LRN and the feeding got a little better, but every once in a while, i get the hiccup. any thoughts? thanks -Eric
SwampWolf
Member
Actually, I like the looks of the hood even though I prefer traditional appearance. Most Winchester standard Model 94s were equipped with sight hoods for decades even though not many hoods were in place on 94s during the waning years of the "Wild West" when the carbine started its long and illustrious career. I keep the hood afixed to my 39 unless I'm hunting squirrels when there's little ambient light.
Brassman
Member
The hood is still on mine, but I painted the post with glow-in-dark paint. I can still barely see it in low light. Just enough to put the front sight on target.
borrowed time
Does the round get caught on the top edge of the chamber, or does it not even make it that far up? If it's the top of the chamber, it could be that the flat cartridge guide spring isn't doing its job. Among other minor issues, my 39 had this problem on and off until I replaced that part. When a 39 is running right, it should be able to feed well, regardless of how the lever is worked (at least in my limited exp.)
Does the round get caught on the top edge of the chamber, or does it not even make it that far up? If it's the top of the chamber, it could be that the flat cartridge guide spring isn't doing its job. Among other minor issues, my 39 had this problem on and off until I replaced that part. When a 39 is running right, it should be able to feed well, regardless of how the lever is worked (at least in my limited exp.)
Brassman
Member
Can someone who uses aperture sights tell me if a thin straight post for a front sight improves accuracy that much? I have the original front sight on my 39A still, but it seems to cover up most of small targets beyond 25 yds. I was just wondering if I could do better with a thin post without the ball on top up front. I really like the Skinner aperture rear sight for fast sighting, just wondering about the front sight now that I have the new rear one installed.
VA27
Member
I'm currently in the process of restoring a 1906 vintage model 1897. The gun belonged to my wife's grandfather on her mother's side. She remembers shooting the gun when she was very little, and that her grandfather always carried a coat hanger to knock the empty shell out because it wouldn't extract.
Well, her brother recently "discovered" the old gun and brought it to her. The only internal parts in the gun were the hammer and trigger, the bolt assembly and the lever! All other internal parts and the butt plate are gone.
The bore is so bad you can "chamber" a cartridge in the muzzle. When I get all the parts together and get it running, I'll have the bore lined, but I'll leave the outside looking just as is. The wife said that if a total refinish was done it wouldn't be grandpa's gun anymore!
Yesterday my gun shop called and they finally found a carrier! It's been so long collecting the parts that I can't find the rest of them! I put them away and now I can't remember where! The search begins...again.
Well, her brother recently "discovered" the old gun and brought it to her. The only internal parts in the gun were the hammer and trigger, the bolt assembly and the lever! All other internal parts and the butt plate are gone.
The bore is so bad you can "chamber" a cartridge in the muzzle. When I get all the parts together and get it running, I'll have the bore lined, but I'll leave the outside looking just as is. The wife said that if a total refinish was done it wouldn't be grandpa's gun anymore!
Yesterday my gun shop called and they finally found a carrier! It's been so long collecting the parts that I can't find the rest of them! I put them away and now I can't remember where! The search begins...again.
dfariswheel
Member
- Joined
- Dec 26, 2002
- Messages
- 6,657
Brassman:
A military typer post sight works very well, since you align the top of the sight on the target, and the aperture rear is automatically centered by your eye.
I've never been a fan of the bead type front sights.
Unfortunately, it's very hard to find post sights.
I had to resort to fitting a blank sight on my recently restored 1950 model.
I ordered this .065" sight from Brownell's, and fitted it to the ramp:
http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/productdetail.aspx?p=55&s=333
Most of the filing is done to the bottom of the SIGHTS dovetail, and a slight amount to the sides of the dovetail, NOT the ramp.
You can do most of it with a triangular needle file. To remove metal from the base, lay a sheet of metal-type sand cloth on a flat surface and rub the sights dovetail over it.
After you have it a nice, tight fit in the ramp, carefully shorten it to get it on target, and shape it to suit how you want it to look.
Finish with cold blue or flat black paint.
VA27:
Here's some sources for Marlin 39 parts.
http://www.jackfirstgun.com/ (PRIME source, you have to CALL).
http://www.e-gunparts.com/
http://www.gun-parts.com/index.html/
http://www.poppertsgunparts.com/index.htm
http://www.wisnersinc.com/
http://www.hoosiergunworks.com/catalog/comm_misc_m_z.html#marlin
http://www.parts4guns.com/ (click on Marlin and WAIT).
http://www.chasjonesgunparts.citymax.com/page/page/1800461.htm
A military typer post sight works very well, since you align the top of the sight on the target, and the aperture rear is automatically centered by your eye.
I've never been a fan of the bead type front sights.
Unfortunately, it's very hard to find post sights.
I had to resort to fitting a blank sight on my recently restored 1950 model.
I ordered this .065" sight from Brownell's, and fitted it to the ramp:
http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/productdetail.aspx?p=55&s=333
Most of the filing is done to the bottom of the SIGHTS dovetail, and a slight amount to the sides of the dovetail, NOT the ramp.
You can do most of it with a triangular needle file. To remove metal from the base, lay a sheet of metal-type sand cloth on a flat surface and rub the sights dovetail over it.
After you have it a nice, tight fit in the ramp, carefully shorten it to get it on target, and shape it to suit how you want it to look.
Finish with cold blue or flat black paint.
VA27:
Here's some sources for Marlin 39 parts.
http://www.jackfirstgun.com/ (PRIME source, you have to CALL).
http://www.e-gunparts.com/
http://www.gun-parts.com/index.html/
http://www.poppertsgunparts.com/index.htm
http://www.wisnersinc.com/
http://www.hoosiergunworks.com/catalog/comm_misc_m_z.html#marlin
http://www.parts4guns.com/ (click on Marlin and WAIT).
http://www.chasjonesgunparts.citymax.com/page/page/1800461.htm
JustsayMo
Member
Brassman wrote: "Can someone who uses aperture sights tell me if a thin straight post for a front sight improves accuracy that much? I have the original front sight on my 39A still, but it seems to cover up most of small targets beyond 25 yds. I was just wondering if I could do better with a thin post without the ball on top up front. I really like the Skinner aperture rear sight for fast sighting, just wondering about the front sight now that I have the new rear one installed."
I use the Skinner Sights on my 1895 and 39A Mountie. I have a straight post on my 1895GS and and the original on the mountie. I believe the straight post does improve precision, but it took me a few trips to the range to get used to it. The trade off for me was it is a little bit tougher for me to see in lower light.
I've also found that a slightly smaller, ~.065" aperture is a good compromise (for me, anyway). The Skinners come with .096" apertures which I believe is great for field accuracy, lacks precision on the paper. The smaller aperture gives up some field of view but sharpens the sight picture and target better for me. I'm able to achieve better precision with even less eye strain.
The typical Marlin front bead covers 6" at 50 yards and 12" at 100 yards, which is somewhat handy for range finding (i.e. if two or more bead widths measure on the side of an Elk, he's inside of 100 yards, two in a deer and he's inside of 75 yards) it does make precision shooting challenging. It took me a lot of repetitions to consistently center the bullseye on the top edge of that bead, but I had fun the whole time I was doin' it
I use the Skinner Sights on my 1895 and 39A Mountie. I have a straight post on my 1895GS and and the original on the mountie. I believe the straight post does improve precision, but it took me a few trips to the range to get used to it. The trade off for me was it is a little bit tougher for me to see in lower light.
I've also found that a slightly smaller, ~.065" aperture is a good compromise (for me, anyway). The Skinners come with .096" apertures which I believe is great for field accuracy, lacks precision on the paper. The smaller aperture gives up some field of view but sharpens the sight picture and target better for me. I'm able to achieve better precision with even less eye strain.
The typical Marlin front bead covers 6" at 50 yards and 12" at 100 yards, which is somewhat handy for range finding (i.e. if two or more bead widths measure on the side of an Elk, he's inside of 100 yards, two in a deer and he's inside of 75 yards) it does make precision shooting challenging. It took me a lot of repetitions to consistently center the bullseye on the top edge of that bead, but I had fun the whole time I was doin' it
AStone
Member
I cut and pasted this (below) from the 336 club to here (with slight edits). Not much energy left after this week. Please know that my absence from the club house is NOT an indication that I've lost interest. Far from it.
I'm just overwhelmed with work ... and will continue to be for a while.
But I'm reading with interest.
I miss being here more ... Keep it up, folks. Glad to see new members.
_________
Well, another work week done.
(Actually, since I have to work weekends right now - new business - the next one begins tomorrow. I'll be at work both Saturday and Sunday (for weeks to come...) But at least the client presence pressure is off for Saturday and Sunday since I'm "closed" those days doing catch up work ... I'd sure rather be at the range ... )
As a result, I haven't been around my favorite threads much this week. I miss them. I am reading, with interest on every break I can afford. It's nice to take a few minutes break and read up on my favorite rifles.
My business has shifted gears. I've got three major projects that started up unexpectedly, and all at the same time. They're a good thing for the business, but they're going to reduce the time that I have to spend in the club here significantly for a while. ... But the business must take precedence for a while. It'll slack off some by summer.
I'll be here as often as I can, learning new stuff. I'm reading everyday.
Nem
I'm just overwhelmed with work ... and will continue to be for a while.
But I'm reading with interest.
I miss being here more ... Keep it up, folks. Glad to see new members.
_________
Well, another work week done.
(Actually, since I have to work weekends right now - new business - the next one begins tomorrow. I'll be at work both Saturday and Sunday (for weeks to come...) But at least the client presence pressure is off for Saturday and Sunday since I'm "closed" those days doing catch up work ... I'd sure rather be at the range ... )
As a result, I haven't been around my favorite threads much this week. I miss them. I am reading, with interest on every break I can afford. It's nice to take a few minutes break and read up on my favorite rifles.
My business has shifted gears. I've got three major projects that started up unexpectedly, and all at the same time. They're a good thing for the business, but they're going to reduce the time that I have to spend in the club here significantly for a while. ... But the business must take precedence for a while. It'll slack off some by summer.
I'll be here as often as I can, learning new stuff. I'm reading everyday.
Nem
Brassman
Member
I'm not sure I need a thinner front post! I took the 39A to the range the other day and was shooting quarter-size groups with just my elbow on the bench for support at 25 yards. If the target gets more than 50 yds away I probably couldn't see the target well enough to notice that my factory front sight is covering it up. Still practicing with the new Skinner rear aperture and getting used to it. I did order a Skinner front straight post, though. It was only $15. I'll install it maybe later this summer and experiment with it to see if I get better results. I still love shooting this rifle, especially when it costs about 2 cents per shot.
tubeshooter
Contributing Member
- Joined
- Aug 15, 2006
- Messages
- 2,150
Quick question....
I currently have a Williams 5D on my 39A.... it was a newer non-D&T'd rifle, but when the sight came in the gunsmith went ahead and did a D&T for me since the sight that was sent required it.
Well... the 5D works fine, but it sits higher that I'd like and I'm concerned that the "apeture arm" (for lack of knowledge of the proper terminology) could break if it gets hit just so.
So I'm thinking about trying a Skinner, which installs on the top of the receiver and has a classic look that I like better. My question is... can I just remove the "aperture arm" on my Williams, get the Skinner put on and still retain the Williams base? It's secured in with blue loctite, and I would consider it a backup; if the Skinner gets damaged or I don't like it, I'll just take it off and put the 5D aperture arm back on.
I don't see any reason why this plan shouldn't work, but if somebody knows something I don't please let me know. Thanks, y'all....
I currently have a Williams 5D on my 39A.... it was a newer non-D&T'd rifle, but when the sight came in the gunsmith went ahead and did a D&T for me since the sight that was sent required it.
Well... the 5D works fine, but it sits higher that I'd like and I'm concerned that the "apeture arm" (for lack of knowledge of the proper terminology) could break if it gets hit just so.
So I'm thinking about trying a Skinner, which installs on the top of the receiver and has a classic look that I like better. My question is... can I just remove the "aperture arm" on my Williams, get the Skinner put on and still retain the Williams base? It's secured in with blue loctite, and I would consider it a backup; if the Skinner gets damaged or I don't like it, I'll just take it off and put the 5D aperture arm back on.
I don't see any reason why this plan shouldn't work, but if somebody knows something I don't please let me know. Thanks, y'all....
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