Bought a 39A on Sunday!
I want to join!
Took my 10 year old shopping for his first rifle yesterday. Silly dad was thinking bolt action, but once my son saw the Marlin 39A, it was all over. I was thinking I could pick up a used 22 for $100-200, but seeing the Marlin I didn’t even flinch at the price. My son and I both agreed, that was THE gun. Since we live in California, he will have to wait 10 days...
So why is the 39A special to my son and me? About 5 years ago we took a family trip to Alaska in a small plane. It was the trip of a lifetime – two weeks traveling all over the state, stopping in remote locations like Anaktuvuk pass (no roads in or out, no waterways, only a dirt airstrip), and camping on the tundra. Bears (both Grizzly and Polar) were a very real concern, so a proper fire arm was essential (and, bless their hearts, legally required by Alaskan state law for traveling in a small plane). None of my existing fire arms were adequate for bear, so after a little research I discovered the ultimate bear rifle – the “Alaskan Co-Pilot” by Wild West Guns. It is a highly customized take down version of the Marlin 1895 with a modified 45-70 chamber that will accept “457 Magnum” rounds. It is by far my most special gun, and being a Marlin lever action, it is very similar to the 39A.
Here it is broken down and in it's special carry bag. Barrel was not slid all the way into the sleeve for this photo. Notice the magnum rounds next to the standard 45-70 rounds:
During our time in the back country, the gun was loaded, chambered, and by my side at all times – even lying in my sleeping bag. If a bear did decide we were toast, I figured there would be less than 5 seconds between the bear starting its charge and being on top of me (Grizzlies can sprint at over 40mph). Just enough time to un-shoulder the rifle, pull the hammer back, aim, and squeeze of a single round.
As much as I love this gun, it is expensive (and punishing) to shoot. Standard 45-70 rounds are like shooing a 12 ga. Hunting/premium 45-70 rounds have a similar recoil to 12ga slugs. The 457 Magnum or “Kodiak” round is a whole new story. Can’t wait to have a Marlin lever action that is affordable to shoot and easy on the shoulder! Even if it is my son’s, he will have to keep it in MY safe and only I know the combo, so he is going to have to let me shoot it!
Just looking at the 39A reminds me of that wonderful trip. Here is photo of me, my son (5 at the time) and my daughter standing on the tundra just north of the Brooks range, with nothing for hundreds of miles. Note the Marlin (Co-Pilot) on my left shoulder:
Thanks for letting me share!
Mark
I want to join!
Took my 10 year old shopping for his first rifle yesterday. Silly dad was thinking bolt action, but once my son saw the Marlin 39A, it was all over. I was thinking I could pick up a used 22 for $100-200, but seeing the Marlin I didn’t even flinch at the price. My son and I both agreed, that was THE gun. Since we live in California, he will have to wait 10 days...
So why is the 39A special to my son and me? About 5 years ago we took a family trip to Alaska in a small plane. It was the trip of a lifetime – two weeks traveling all over the state, stopping in remote locations like Anaktuvuk pass (no roads in or out, no waterways, only a dirt airstrip), and camping on the tundra. Bears (both Grizzly and Polar) were a very real concern, so a proper fire arm was essential (and, bless their hearts, legally required by Alaskan state law for traveling in a small plane). None of my existing fire arms were adequate for bear, so after a little research I discovered the ultimate bear rifle – the “Alaskan Co-Pilot” by Wild West Guns. It is a highly customized take down version of the Marlin 1895 with a modified 45-70 chamber that will accept “457 Magnum” rounds. It is by far my most special gun, and being a Marlin lever action, it is very similar to the 39A.
Here it is broken down and in it's special carry bag. Barrel was not slid all the way into the sleeve for this photo. Notice the magnum rounds next to the standard 45-70 rounds:
During our time in the back country, the gun was loaded, chambered, and by my side at all times – even lying in my sleeping bag. If a bear did decide we were toast, I figured there would be less than 5 seconds between the bear starting its charge and being on top of me (Grizzlies can sprint at over 40mph). Just enough time to un-shoulder the rifle, pull the hammer back, aim, and squeeze of a single round.
As much as I love this gun, it is expensive (and punishing) to shoot. Standard 45-70 rounds are like shooing a 12 ga. Hunting/premium 45-70 rounds have a similar recoil to 12ga slugs. The 457 Magnum or “Kodiak” round is a whole new story. Can’t wait to have a Marlin lever action that is affordable to shoot and easy on the shoulder! Even if it is my son’s, he will have to keep it in MY safe and only I know the combo, so he is going to have to let me shoot it!
Just looking at the 39A reminds me of that wonderful trip. Here is photo of me, my son (5 at the time) and my daughter standing on the tundra just north of the Brooks range, with nothing for hundreds of miles. Note the Marlin (Co-Pilot) on my left shoulder:
Thanks for letting me share!
Mark