The Marlin 39 Club

[flusher]

Maverick223
Thanks ror the response
I just bought a NIB 39M Article II and a used 1982 39M which when they arivived,I could have checked them but patience is a virtue I do not readily have when it comes to firearms.

 

[Maverick223]

NP flusher, glad to be of service.

 

[GMAN26]

Ok so more on my 1956...39a. We're driving around this small town in Machias, Maine and stumble across a trading post. Long story short the GS owner did not have a 39 in the shop but knew of someone who did. (they help each other out up there) One phone call later and 15 min driving time I had it in my hands. Its the microgrove version with a JC Higgins 4x scope. Its in real good shape and shoots true. Has a very clean bore and a smooth smooth action. You couldn't wipe the grin off my face when my wife asked me if I wanted it!!! Eventually the pics will come. Where can I get an original side spur for this baby? Was it offered in that year? So I'm a true club member thanks to my wonderful wife! The damage....325 clamarinoes.

 

[flusher]

Anyone shoot their new 39 Article II or 39 Century Limited or keep as a safe queen?

 

[GMAN26]

I know these are not the greatest but I wanted to get something up quick so I used the cell phone. Better pics to come for sure. These are pretty grainy. This 39A has almost no blems.

 

[JustsayMo]

Anyone shoot their new 39 Article II or 39 Century Limited or keep as a safe queen?

I shoot my 39 Century limited a lot. Even managed a personal best 32 critters in this weekend's silhouette match, including a personal best on the 100 yard rams. I totally sucked on the Turkeys so I know there is room to improve. Of the five 39's I've owned I believe the 39 Century Limited is probably the most accurate of the bunch.

I didn't own it during last Grouse season but come September 1st I plan to use it to add a few of the of them to the menu. It may also be the most beautiful of the bunch too.

 

[skeeziks]

HI Guys.... Maybe someone can help me with the history.
I've always been led to believe that the 39M, with its squared lever, is technically not a Mountie. I know that some refer to them all as Mounties, but as far as I'm concerned, only a "Golden 39-A Mountie" is a true Mountie.

Reason for all this is because someone with a 1980's vin. 39M insists that it's a Mountie and I'm telling him it's technically not.
Who's correct?

 

[dfariswheel]

Good question, because Marlin made 24" barreled Mounties and 18" barreled Mounties.

Marlin also made a Model 39 Carbine with a 3/4 length magazine, and a Model 39M carbine with the squared lever.

So, I guess you have your choice.
Either the square lever is a "carbine" and a "Mountie" is a model name, or you can call them anything you want.
In other words "You can call me Ray, or you can call me Jay, or......)

 

[flusher]

39 Century limited's had an engraving plate on the right side of the stock. Where's yours located?

 

[JustsayMo]

"39 Century limited's had an engraving plate on the right side of the stock. Where's yours located? "

Mine is in my reloading bench drawer. I'm not a big fan of ornamentation so I removed it. Couldn't figure out how to remove the receiver badge but I'm getting used to it now.

 

[flusher]

I would have thought a Mountie would be any straight stock 39

 

[flusher]

Picked up my NIB 39M Article II Carbine and 1982 used 39M.
I will need to get a bullseye and wide scan hood for the front sight of the 1982. This rifle has a witness hole on the left side of receiver about where the bullet would be when chambered.

[email protected]

 

[az_imuth]

I read through this thread a long time ago when it was a mere 20-30 pages long. Looks like I've got some catching-up to do. I recently picked up a very nice Original Golden 39M and am hoping it will help to get me "in the door" here at the Marlin 39 Club.

This is a 1972 model that had been sitting in a local fellows safe for so long he forgot he even had a Marlin. He was clearing out a few lever guns and knew I was in the market for a Mountie so he gave me a call and the rest is history.

Here's a pic for you to look at while I go back and get busy reading all the posts that I've missed.

 

[GMAN26]

Hey thats in great shape! Nice score on that Golden! Good luck with it!

 

[flusher]

Marlin Model 39 additional left side receiver holes

About when were the additional holes drilled on the left side of the receiver and what was their purpose?
When did they stop?
I see nothing in any Marlin catalog about them.

 

[dfariswheel]

The holes apparently started in the late 1980's.

The top hole is so you can see if there's a round in the chamber.
The bottom hole is to see if there's a round in the magazine.

I think they still put both holes in the receiver.

 

[JustsayMo]

Az: What a purtiful Mountie! Great score!

 

[az_imuth]

Thanks for the nice comments. I don't think the rifle had been fired much, if any at all. I took it apart to clean it and had a devil of a time getting it back together due to being so tight. The reason for the cleaning was mainly because the action is VERY stiff/rough. If this is because it's unused, how many rounds should it take before it starts smoothing out a bit? I've cleaned/oiled it and put about 400-500 rounds through it so far. I've also sat in the easy chair and worked the action over and over while watching True Grit. I can't honestly say that any of this has helped to smooth it up yet.

I really like this rifle. The stock fits me better than most, the sights are good and the rifle is accurate, so any tips on making the action smoother would be appreciated.

 

[skeeziks]

Az.... That is one nice 39. From the pics, it looks brand new!

What I really like about your 39 is it's a perfect example of a transition gun. It has the fluted comb of a "Mountie" and the square finger lever of 39M.
The fluted comb just looks so right on a Marlin. Un-fluted goes better on a Winnie.

Oh, I just went back up and re-read.... I see that the little beautie is like new (previous owner probably never shot it.)
If it just sat in his safe all these years, then you essentially got a brand-new '72 39M!
Wow...I wish I had that kind of luck. ~ Enjoy!

 

[az_imuth]

Thanks, skeeziks...I didn't even realize that Marlin had dropped the fluted comb until you mentioned it. I went back to look at some of the older posts with pictures and sure enough, they did drop them not long after mine was made.

I was hesitant to take my rifle apart again because it was so hard to get back together, but I went ahead and pulled it apart. I wanted to see what was making the action seem so rough and I believe I found it. There was a burr on the inside of the receiver that was rubbing up against the bolt. The burr was actually about 1/8th of an inch long. Just an edge to an area that had been machined and had left an edge sticking up a bit. I removed that and things are quite a bit better. Stll stiff, but not nearly as rough. I also took the receiver halves apart and put them back together 4 or 5 times and they are more manageable now.

 

[skeeziks]

Yeah...when I bought my 1897-CB back in 2000, the fit was so tight that I thought I'd never get it apart. I had to lightly rap the side of the buttstock against a folded up towel.
It just takes some time. And, I'd rather it be too tight than too loose.

I had to remove a couple of burrs also. I swear...it was like fingernails on a blackboard when I'd lever the action open.

Take care...and if you ever want to sell her, I'd give her a good home. ~

 

[JustsayMo]

Skeeziks: Sure would like to see a picture of that 1897 CB. The club is pitiful short of those. I keep trying to buy em and almost had a guy traded out of his CB but he decided he'd hang onto for a while longer...

 

[au2183]

Here's a picture of my 1897 CL. I hope it will do!

I also recently acquired a 39A CL. I've been looking for one for a long time and finally found it. This one is not to be a safe queen though. The first shot out of it was a CCI CB Short, and it killed a squirrel. Any gun that draws first blood on the first shot was BORN to hunt! There is just something about the straight stock and 20" octagon barrel that is the perfect combo for me. I thought I had a picture of it I could post but I guess I still need to take it. Sorry!

 

[skeeziks]

I don't have any pics of it, but I'll try an take some and if I'm successful I'll post them.
There's really nothing visually spectacular about it, they're just not that common.

 

[flusher]

Here's my 1982 39M showing the top hole in the receiver.