Rollis R. Karvellis
Member
Nem, Winchester still makes the Power Point's but they are more on the premiun side of the price range, I remimber beng mad that they cost $20.00 a brick back in the 90's.
The Marlin 39 Club
- Thread starter AStone
- Start date
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tubeshooter
Contributing Member
- Joined
- Aug 15, 2006
- Messages
- 2,149
Welcome to the latest club members!
LastRebel
Member
Made it to the range to see if I like the rifle as much as I remember. The answer is ------ YES!
I expected that I might have to do some sight adjustment. Not so. The rifle was dead on with no adjustment.
Let me eloborate just a bit. Dead on means I was hitting the target consistantly at 50yrds. with iron sights. My tired old eyes are not anything like they used to be. A quick calculation reveals 1 yrd for every year of my age. So, I was very happy that the rifle was accurate even with all that to deal with. Five rounds with 4 in the circle. I haven't shot much in the last few years. Annie Oakley would not have been impressed, but I was happy given all the facts.
I'll have alot of fun with this one!
I expected that I might have to do some sight adjustment. Not so. The rifle was dead on with no adjustment.
Let me eloborate just a bit. Dead on means I was hitting the target consistantly at 50yrds. with iron sights. My tired old eyes are not anything like they used to be. A quick calculation reveals 1 yrd for every year of my age. So, I was very happy that the rifle was accurate even with all that to deal with. Five rounds with 4 in the circle. I haven't shot much in the last few years. Annie Oakley would not have been impressed, but I was happy given all the facts.
I'll have alot of fun with this one!
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AStone
Member
TGS, Rebel and Mule, welcome to the fun house.
TGS, I did a quick "google" on that 1897 user's manual, and didn't turn up anything in the first couple of pages.
I'll bet they're on line, I just didn't find them easily.
Maybe others in here will have a link. Alternatively, call Marlin and have them send you one.
Rebel, it's great you did so well with it right off the bat at 50 yds, especially with open sites.
Annie might not be impressed - you have to shoot falling playing cards in half to do that -
but she'd be proud that you're shooting her gun this much after she did her thing.
TGS, I did a quick "google" on that 1897 user's manual, and didn't turn up anything in the first couple of pages.
I'll bet they're on line, I just didn't find them easily.
Maybe others in here will have a link. Alternatively, call Marlin and have them send you one.
Rebel, it's great you did so well with it right off the bat at 50 yds, especially with open sites.
Annie might not be impressed - you have to shoot falling playing cards in half to do that -
but she'd be proud that you're shooting her gun this much after she did her thing.
JustsayMo
Member
TGS: The 1897 Cowboy I am familiar with is the same as the 39 except for the octagon barrel and straight checkered stock. VERY nice rifle. I've been trying to acquire one - mount a tang sight on it and it would be perfect for Cowboy Silhouette.
Last: GREAT story!
"I've learned as I've grown older, there are few things in life that no one can ever take from you if they decide to. Memories are one of those. I'm certain I'll recall things we shared together as I walk alone now with the rifle that started it all for me."
So TRUE! When we come to the end of the trail I doubt many of us will wish we spent more time working and less time in the great outdoors.
Last: GREAT story!
"I've learned as I've grown older, there are few things in life that no one can ever take from you if they decide to. Memories are one of those. I'm certain I'll recall things we shared together as I walk alone now with the rifle that started it all for me."
So TRUE! When we come to the end of the trail I doubt many of us will wish we spent more time working and less time in the great outdoors.
AStone
Member
Dude, no kidding.
I'm working now (so to speak) on trying to work less and spend more time outside. I've found two awesome camp areas: one's on the west side (of Cascades) up a narrow canyon with a good-sized stream, dense old growth and grouse; the other is on the east side in the Ponderosas w/ mulies.
One is accessible only by foot after crossing a dicey log bridge.
Both encourage one to have a 39 handy, along with a revolver of choice.
Speaking of wood revolvers to go with 39's,
we haven't talked about that in a while (have we?).
What's your preference?
I'm leaning more and more towards .44 mag/spl, something in a 5-6".
JustsayMo
Member
Nem, It has been a spell since we discussed what to partner our 39's with. Another great topic that is always worth inviting input.
My preference when pairing up guns is to extend to the versatility. The Model 39 will do a lot of things but it does have some shortcomings that can be remedied with the addition of a handgun. The handguns greatest asset is its portability. I'm probably not going to have my 39 slung over my shoulder when I'm out doing chores around the property or fly fishing or other endeavors where shooting is unlikely - yet being armed makes sense. Handguns also are handier inside of confined spaces, whether that be inside your sleeping bag just in case you unknowingly made camp near someone growing pot or making meth or some creature - two or four legged - decides to do you or your family harm.
In a survival situation the 39 could be pressed into duty to perform tasks well outside of its intended niche. However, adding a hunting caliber handgun would compliment and enhance the capabilities of a skilled outdoorsman (just couldn't bring myself to be PC enough to say "outdoors-person"- sorry - not really) and be more useful in non-emergency and hunting situations.
My favorite pairing
A Single Action in 45 Colt will do pretty much anything I need a handgun to do. Reliable, effective, accurate, easy shooting and inexpensive if you cast and roll your own. There aren't a lot of circumstances I can imagine that a 255 grain chunk of lead jogging along at 950 fps couldn't handle. I like Rugers - bombproof and safe even with six onboard in the New Models.
A good case could be made for staying with the same caliber for long and short guns too. I'm looking forward to hearing what others like to pack around.
My preference when pairing up guns is to extend to the versatility. The Model 39 will do a lot of things but it does have some shortcomings that can be remedied with the addition of a handgun. The handguns greatest asset is its portability. I'm probably not going to have my 39 slung over my shoulder when I'm out doing chores around the property or fly fishing or other endeavors where shooting is unlikely - yet being armed makes sense. Handguns also are handier inside of confined spaces, whether that be inside your sleeping bag just in case you unknowingly made camp near someone growing pot or making meth or some creature - two or four legged - decides to do you or your family harm.
In a survival situation the 39 could be pressed into duty to perform tasks well outside of its intended niche. However, adding a hunting caliber handgun would compliment and enhance the capabilities of a skilled outdoorsman (just couldn't bring myself to be PC enough to say "outdoors-person"- sorry - not really) and be more useful in non-emergency and hunting situations.
My favorite pairing
A Single Action in 45 Colt will do pretty much anything I need a handgun to do. Reliable, effective, accurate, easy shooting and inexpensive if you cast and roll your own. There aren't a lot of circumstances I can imagine that a 255 grain chunk of lead jogging along at 950 fps couldn't handle. I like Rugers - bombproof and safe even with six onboard in the New Models.
A good case could be made for staying with the same caliber for long and short guns too. I'm looking forward to hearing what others like to pack around.
Fella's;
There are a number of handguns that will do. Circumstances & location will necessarily alter the pick I'd think. Justsaymo's choices above are very hard to argue against, so I won't. I will say though, that if you have any of several other handguns, I wouldn't rush right out & buy a .45 Blackhawk because that's the only choice. There are many .357's that'd fill the bill also, and there's a vast number of styles, types, actions, etc., available. No bears nearby? No problem, a .32 H&R magnum might be the very thing for you. If you're only semi-rural, a Ruger single-six might be the perfect companion. OTOH, if your not only in bear, but grizzly bear, territory the perfect hipside companion might be something along the lines of a .454 Casull. Which, let's be honest here, does indeed have a bit more whupash in the can than the original Colt .45 SAA offering.
900F
There are a number of handguns that will do. Circumstances & location will necessarily alter the pick I'd think. Justsaymo's choices above are very hard to argue against, so I won't. I will say though, that if you have any of several other handguns, I wouldn't rush right out & buy a .45 Blackhawk because that's the only choice. There are many .357's that'd fill the bill also, and there's a vast number of styles, types, actions, etc., available. No bears nearby? No problem, a .32 H&R magnum might be the very thing for you. If you're only semi-rural, a Ruger single-six might be the perfect companion. OTOH, if your not only in bear, but grizzly bear, territory the perfect hipside companion might be something along the lines of a .454 Casull. Which, let's be honest here, does indeed have a bit more whupash in the can than the original Colt .45 SAA offering.
900F
JustsayMo
Member
Well said CB900F. 100% agreed.
LastRebel
Member
Thanks for the Welcome everyone. Hope to be able to contribute from time to time.
I have a question that I'm sure one of you will know the answer to immediately. The pistol grip cap on my 39 has a brass screw holding it on. I'm thinking that this isn't factory original and since I'm a purist on things like this I'd like to know if it is indeed factory or just what was handy for someone at the time.
Nem -Thanks for the kind comments on the open sights. Even though my eyes are going, I doubt I'd ever fit a scope on the 39. I can appreciate those who prefer the scope, but the purist in me just won't allow that to happen to my gun. It's just a personal preference and I actually have always preferred to use open sights. If it were a matter of survival, then I'm sure I could justify a scope to aid. As it is, I might be better served getting my eyes fixed and leaving the rifle as it came from the factory.
For me, the partner sidearm for the 39 would be dependent on the season and where I happened to be. Here in Texas, rattlesnakes can be a real issue in summer depending on where you are. For those areas I'd likely have the Colt .357 Trooper with snake shot in the first three. That way I'd have that at my immediate disposal if needed and something more substantial I could get to rather quickly. If I thought the need was for something with more knockdown, say for instance, a charging wild hog, my Browning .40 HiPower would be my first choice. If I was just out to have some fun and wasn't concerned about the other two, I carry one of the two single action revolvers my Dad left to me - one a .22 and the other a mate in 22 Mag. - both nickel finish. Somehow, they just seem more appropriate with the 39. Still, the others are more practical at certain times.
Last Rebel
I have a question that I'm sure one of you will know the answer to immediately. The pistol grip cap on my 39 has a brass screw holding it on. I'm thinking that this isn't factory original and since I'm a purist on things like this I'd like to know if it is indeed factory or just what was handy for someone at the time.
Nem -Thanks for the kind comments on the open sights. Even though my eyes are going, I doubt I'd ever fit a scope on the 39. I can appreciate those who prefer the scope, but the purist in me just won't allow that to happen to my gun. It's just a personal preference and I actually have always preferred to use open sights. If it were a matter of survival, then I'm sure I could justify a scope to aid. As it is, I might be better served getting my eyes fixed and leaving the rifle as it came from the factory.
For me, the partner sidearm for the 39 would be dependent on the season and where I happened to be. Here in Texas, rattlesnakes can be a real issue in summer depending on where you are. For those areas I'd likely have the Colt .357 Trooper with snake shot in the first three. That way I'd have that at my immediate disposal if needed and something more substantial I could get to rather quickly. If I thought the need was for something with more knockdown, say for instance, a charging wild hog, my Browning .40 HiPower would be my first choice. If I was just out to have some fun and wasn't concerned about the other two, I carry one of the two single action revolvers my Dad left to me - one a .22 and the other a mate in 22 Mag. - both nickel finish. Somehow, they just seem more appropriate with the 39. Still, the others are more practical at certain times.
Last Rebel
I know I post this picture all over THR, but only because I'm so happy with the pair. I think last time I posted it, I still had the stock grips on the Single Six. I've since acquired a set of Rosewood panels that match the 39's walnut pretty good.
I'm a big fan of the matched rifle/revolver pair. If I hunted, I think I'd have to go with a 1894/Blackhawk combo.
I'm a big fan of the matched rifle/revolver pair. If I hunted, I think I'd have to go with a 1894/Blackhawk combo.
AStone
Member
SGW, that's a totally beautiful dynamic duo. Thanks for sharing them here.
Looks like reading from others here, too.
Need to eat dinner (fish and chips), and work a bit more, then come back to read.
PS: I've decided to try a set of skinner sights (or similar aperture sight) on my 336. I can't warm up to the XS ghost ring. I think I want something with smaller aperture. If I like them, I may try a set on the 39, also.
Looks like reading from others here, too.
Need to eat dinner (fish and chips), and work a bit more, then come back to read.
PS: I've decided to try a set of skinner sights (or similar aperture sight) on my 336. I can't warm up to the XS ghost ring. I think I want something with smaller aperture. If I like them, I may try a set on the 39, also.
New 39A
I posted a while back about my problems with my new 39A. After catching up on some of the posts it seems others have had the same quality control issues with the newer guns.
I got rid of the jams by tightening the six loose screws. I got rid of the grating action by filing and honing the top of the bolt. I got rid of the failure to feed by stretching the spring on the top of the receiver. I got rid of the failure to fire by shortening the lower arm to the 'bounce back'.
The accuracy wasn't up to par, so I thought the overly heavy trigger could be at fault. The heavy pull was related to the excess hammer spring pre-load needed for the bounce back mechanism. I finally cut off the lower arm to the bounce back and shortened the top arm to reduce the pre-load. That cleaned up the trigger pull, but the accuracy was still mediocre.
I was at the range a couple of nights ago and a mate had an old rusty bolt action .22 rifle he was selling for $100. I had a few shots with it and it flat outshot my 39A. Here I was with a 'bull barrel' rifle and this rusty old lightweight rifle shot groups less than half the size of mine.
I notice that the old rifle had a tight chamber when I chambered the CCI Minimags that I was using. On the Marlin the chamber was loose, probably so the action could be worked quickly.
I thought about fire-lapping the barrel to try and take out any imperfections in the rifling or perhaps the fire-lapping might open up the throat a bit to allow a better transition from the loose chamber.
Anybody have any suggestions? Take the barrel down and have it shortened and re-chambered? Purchase a new barrel from a competent barrel manufacturer?
I would never have believed that Marlin would produce a rifle of this poor quality if I hadn't owned it myself. Anybody have any ideas how I can salvage this thing?
I posted a while back about my problems with my new 39A. After catching up on some of the posts it seems others have had the same quality control issues with the newer guns.
I got rid of the jams by tightening the six loose screws. I got rid of the grating action by filing and honing the top of the bolt. I got rid of the failure to feed by stretching the spring on the top of the receiver. I got rid of the failure to fire by shortening the lower arm to the 'bounce back'.
The accuracy wasn't up to par, so I thought the overly heavy trigger could be at fault. The heavy pull was related to the excess hammer spring pre-load needed for the bounce back mechanism. I finally cut off the lower arm to the bounce back and shortened the top arm to reduce the pre-load. That cleaned up the trigger pull, but the accuracy was still mediocre.
I was at the range a couple of nights ago and a mate had an old rusty bolt action .22 rifle he was selling for $100. I had a few shots with it and it flat outshot my 39A. Here I was with a 'bull barrel' rifle and this rusty old lightweight rifle shot groups less than half the size of mine.
I notice that the old rifle had a tight chamber when I chambered the CCI Minimags that I was using. On the Marlin the chamber was loose, probably so the action could be worked quickly.
I thought about fire-lapping the barrel to try and take out any imperfections in the rifling or perhaps the fire-lapping might open up the throat a bit to allow a better transition from the loose chamber.
Anybody have any suggestions? Take the barrel down and have it shortened and re-chambered? Purchase a new barrel from a competent barrel manufacturer?
I would never have believed that Marlin would produce a rifle of this poor quality if I hadn't owned it myself. Anybody have any ideas how I can salvage this thing?
LastRebel
Member
Thanks SGW ... I guess it is factory original.
LastRebel
Member
Not for survival but more for stepping back in time and escaping reality for awhile.
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SandyEggo53
Member
Terry,
I have a 1960s Mountie I purchased last year, fixed the broken extractor, and refinished the wood...looks great, but with most ammo, the target at 25 yards looks like I used a shotgun. I've got so many brands, including target ammo, I can't remember which ones shoot better, but I've noticed there is a difference.
You might try different brands, see if your Marlin likes any particular brand. My Rugers are fussy with some ammo, others, never get a failure to feed. Funny thing is that my M12 shoots the cheapest 22LR and the best target stuff almost the same--even at 100 yards.
Guess I'm going to have to keep a log book of what each rifle likes. (Close up, with tin cans, all my 22s work great--we do a kind of kick-the-can, see who can move their can the farthest down range with one tube of ammo.)
I have a 1960s Mountie I purchased last year, fixed the broken extractor, and refinished the wood...looks great, but with most ammo, the target at 25 yards looks like I used a shotgun. I've got so many brands, including target ammo, I can't remember which ones shoot better, but I've noticed there is a difference.
You might try different brands, see if your Marlin likes any particular brand. My Rugers are fussy with some ammo, others, never get a failure to feed. Funny thing is that my M12 shoots the cheapest 22LR and the best target stuff almost the same--even at 100 yards.
Guess I'm going to have to keep a log book of what each rifle likes. (Close up, with tin cans, all my 22s work great--we do a kind of kick-the-can, see who can move their can the farthest down range with one tube of ammo.)
pneuton
Member
Hi all,
my grandfather just gave me his old 39A from the '20s. the serial is L399. anyone know what the manufacture date is? the thing fires like a dream!
my grandfather just gave me his old 39A from the '20s. the serial is L399. anyone know what the manufacture date is? the thing fires like a dream!
Ammo
Sandy, I've been through about 20 different boxes of ammo. The rifle seems to prefer RWS Subsonic and CCI Minimag for supersonic. Some of the other ammo was terrible to shoot, but I finally settled on those two rounds for super and subsonic ammo.
I'll give the fire lapping a go and see if there is any change. Even if I open out the throat too much I am probably already heading towards having the barrel rechambered.
I used to have a Marlin 30-30 from the 1950s that shot sub minute of angle. whatever happened to that quality....
Sandy, I've been through about 20 different boxes of ammo. The rifle seems to prefer RWS Subsonic and CCI Minimag for supersonic. Some of the other ammo was terrible to shoot, but I finally settled on those two rounds for super and subsonic ammo.
I'll give the fire lapping a go and see if there is any change. Even if I open out the throat too much I am probably already heading towards having the barrel rechambered.
I used to have a Marlin 30-30 from the 1950s that shot sub minute of angle. whatever happened to that quality....
pneuton
Member
thanks james, maybe it's not from the 20s then because it says 39A on the barrel. any thoughts on the serial number?
RugerSAFan
Member
Per the standard Marlin chart, a 39A serial #Lxx was manufactured in 1954.
I've got a few 39A models. Just found a new or like new TDS at a gun show. My old TDS is showing it's age so will put the new one in service soon. I like the shortness of the thing. EZ to shoot and accurate as hell. In it's little bag it fits in my truck console. I'll put a red dot or something on it and weed out the gophers that make my wife's garden their personal smörgåsbord each spring. I've got at least three other Marlin levers with the short barrels. Anybody have anything to say about the TDS? This new one is very stiff and the two sections fit so tightly that it is difficult to separate. Just needs break in I expect. I wonder if it has any ammo preferences? I usually shoot subsonic to avoid peeing off the neighbors but I think I'll try some of that powder-less ammo. See what it does. In my Smith 617 it was very quiet. I expect it will be quiet in TDS too. ..If it makes it all the way down the barrel. I haven't had the time to read all the posts here so apologize if this topic has been covered.
I've been shooting the Marlin .22 levers for many years and can't ever remember having any problems other than getting them so dirty with cheap ammo that the shells stuck in the hot chamber. I love levers and have a lot of fun moving lead downrange. Working those brilliantly designed machines is like stepping back to the 19th century. Let's face it, shooting the 22's is cheap too. I've got a Marlin 45/70 that keeps me broke stuffing food down it's maw. I can make little .22 size holes for a whole lot less. A whole lot easier on the old ears too!
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