photoman12001
Member
Finally got a 39 after 12 years looking
I shot a friend's in college and fell in love with it. I didn't want a new model so I've just kept my eye out in the local shops (haven't wanted to use gunbroker yet) in IN, KY and GA as I've moved around. I made weekly trips to a local shop in GA, always with a eye on the used lever guns. Then last week I saw it; that glint of brass on the tubular magazine that screamed rimfire. The serial number indicated manufacture in 1979. The outside of the barrel had a few spots of rust but nothing unmanageable. I anxiously examied the bore with my Novatac 120P only to see a lot of dust. After having a clerk pull a boresnake through I took a second look; nice and shiny. I walked out with the rifle for $380, which is not a great price. But after looking online and waiting so long to find one I didn't feel ripped off.
When I got home I immediately downloaded a manual and disassembled the gun per the instructions. I cleaned it well and lubricated it lightly, preparing for a range session the following day. Then my wife, having no experience with a lever gun, wanted to see it work. I loaded 5 dummy long rifle rounds and worked the lever once, then again. Nothing exited the ejection port. I moved the lever again while looking into the action. I could see no bullet. Not being greatly knowledgeable about lever guns, I froze for a moment. Then I tipped the gun upside down and sure enough, a loose round. The bullets were not lifting to the breech. I dismantled the rifle again and took a closer look. The schematic in my downloaded manual wasn't much help but there appeared to be piece of metal sheared off of a part in the carrier assembly. I got worried and drove back the gun store to explain the situation. They were very receptive and promised to make good on it.
Now my new rifle is at a gunsmith. I'm hoping it's an easy fix and I'm shooting it within a few weeks. If this has all been a big tease I will be supremely disappointed. It's a Golden model so I was looking forward to mounting a brass Skinner rear sight on it. I think it will look nice with the trigger.
Sorry for being so wordy.
I shot a friend's in college and fell in love with it. I didn't want a new model so I've just kept my eye out in the local shops (haven't wanted to use gunbroker yet) in IN, KY and GA as I've moved around. I made weekly trips to a local shop in GA, always with a eye on the used lever guns. Then last week I saw it; that glint of brass on the tubular magazine that screamed rimfire. The serial number indicated manufacture in 1979. The outside of the barrel had a few spots of rust but nothing unmanageable. I anxiously examied the bore with my Novatac 120P only to see a lot of dust. After having a clerk pull a boresnake through I took a second look; nice and shiny. I walked out with the rifle for $380, which is not a great price. But after looking online and waiting so long to find one I didn't feel ripped off.
When I got home I immediately downloaded a manual and disassembled the gun per the instructions. I cleaned it well and lubricated it lightly, preparing for a range session the following day. Then my wife, having no experience with a lever gun, wanted to see it work. I loaded 5 dummy long rifle rounds and worked the lever once, then again. Nothing exited the ejection port. I moved the lever again while looking into the action. I could see no bullet. Not being greatly knowledgeable about lever guns, I froze for a moment. Then I tipped the gun upside down and sure enough, a loose round. The bullets were not lifting to the breech. I dismantled the rifle again and took a closer look. The schematic in my downloaded manual wasn't much help but there appeared to be piece of metal sheared off of a part in the carrier assembly. I got worried and drove back the gun store to explain the situation. They were very receptive and promised to make good on it.
Now my new rifle is at a gunsmith. I'm hoping it's an easy fix and I'm shooting it within a few weeks. If this has all been a big tease I will be supremely disappointed. It's a Golden model so I was looking forward to mounting a brass Skinner rear sight on it. I think it will look nice with the trigger.
Sorry for being so wordy.
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