The Marlin 39 Club

[SwampWolf]

For those interested in a receiver sight for their Model 39 (and that's the only way to go, imo!), I've said this many times: it's awfully hard to beat a Williams, either the 5D or (preferably but pricier) the FoolProof. Well-made, lightweight, reliable and easy on the eyes. I've got them mounted on several rifles (including a Remington Model 760, a Winchester Model 1886, a Winchester Model 94 and the Marlin Model 39), the first one in 1963, and have never experienced anything but stellar performance.

 

[flusher]

A Lyman 66 MC for the Marlin 39 is another good sight

 

[Nickjc]

New 39A with Takedown Screw

Hi All,

Just purchased a 39A yesterday straight grip...

some knuckle head removed the front sights and rear site and put a scope on it...BUT he lost the sights....it is an L prefix serial....

I am trying to source a new set of sights....any ideas where I might be able to find a set..?

thanks

Nick

 

[photoman12001]

Hi All,

Just purchased a 39A yesterday straight grip...

some knuckle head removed the front sights and rear site and put a scope on it...BUT he lost the sights....it is an L prefix serial....

I am trying to source a new set of sights....any ideas where I might be able to find a set..?

thanks

Nick

I've ordered a lot of parts, including Marlin 39 parts, from Numrich. They are probably your best bet. Also check out a Skinner peep sight but I would get an original too to have a complete rifle. Just Google Skinner sight.

http://www.gunpartscorp.com/

 

[chuckles]

Maybe it's me but I think the skinner sights look out of place on a 39. I'm sure they work fine but that brass gizmo just doesn't look right. All my lever actions wear Improved Marble's Tang sigjhts. To me they function beautifully and look more like what belongs on that nice Marlin. I have them on 3 39s, and a 9422. YMMV and JMHO.

 

[photoman12001]

Maybe it's me but I think the skinner sights look out of place on a 39. I'm sure they work fine but that brass gizmo just doesn't look right. All my lever actions wear Improved Marble's Tang sigjhts. To me they function beautifully and look more like what belongs on that nice Marlin. I have them on 3 39s, and a 9422. YMMV and JMHO.

My 39 is drilled and tapped for the side-mounted receiver sight. I've meant to try one but every time I shoot the rifle with the Skinner I'm so happy with it I just can't justify the additional purchase. Of course I can't really justify any of my gun purchases at this point. I'm trying to find some reason to buy a Beretta 87 and the wife just isn't going along with it.

If I had tried a Williams I would probably be saying the same thing about it. I looked at the Williams too but preferred the look of the Skinner; as you say everyone has different tastes. I don't think I saw the Marbles sight though. I'm sure eventually I'll give something else a try when I need another project.

Edit: I looked up that tang sight and it does look neat but it's expensive. Did you have to modify your gun to use it?

 

[AStone]

Chuckles, I agree with Ph' man: to each there own, different strokes.

But in terms of looks (only, since I have shot any of them),
I like the Skinner better. Sleek, discrete, all on top,
nothing hanging off the side.

Just my thoughts.

 

[Kurly]

Hey folks,

I happened upon a NIB 1967 Marlin 39M Mountie, NIB - never been shot. The gentleman I bought it from was a lifelong collector of rifles and don't think he knew what the value of it was as he sold it to me for $450. Box is a beat up but for a 45 year old gun, I guess that's to be expected.

Here's my dilemma - I could sell this for obviously more than what I purchased it for but doubt I could get as good of a condition gun for what I paid for it. There is some slight wear marks on the lever where it's probably been cycled either at the factory or at his home but the cosmoline or whatever was used to store it in is still present in the action and the bore indicates it's never been fired (except perhaps for QC at the factory).

So the question is, should I try and sell it (and for what price should I ask?) or should I just consider myself lucky and go ahead and use it. I figure I could get a 90-95% condition Mountie for around $500 so depending on what it sells for (have no idea what a NIB '67 Mountie goes for nowadays), have a lightly used Mountie for next to nothing.

I've attached pictures that hopefully show it's condition well enough to comment on. Any suggestions appreciated!

[/URL][/IMG]

 

[photoman12001]

Hey folks,

I happened upon a NIB 1967 Marlin 39M Mountie, NIB - never been shot. The gentleman I bought it from was a lifelong collector of rifles and don't think he knew what the value of it was as he sold it to me for $500. Box is a beat up but for a 45 year old gun, I guess that's to be expected.

Here's my dilemma - I could sell this for obviously more than what I purchased it for but doubt I could get as good of a condition gun for what I paid for it. There is some slight wear marks on the lever where it's probably been cycled either at the factory or at his home but the cosmoline or whatever was used to store it in is still present in the action and the bore indicates it's never been fired (except perhaps for QC at the factory).

So the question is, should I try and sell it (and for what price should I ask?) or should I just consider myself lucky and go ahead and use it. I figure I could get a 90-95% condition Mountie for around $500 so depending on what it sells for (have no idea what a NIB '67 Mountie goes for nowadays), have a lightly used Mountie for next to nothing.

I've attached pictures that hopefully show it's condition well enough to comment on. Any suggestions appreciated!

[/URL][/IMG]

I'm not an expert on firearm values but I think you should count yourself lucky and keep it. I read lots of posts saying things like, "I had a really nice (insert gun) and in a fit of stupidity sold it. I wish I could go back and stop myself." I think you'll end up saying that about this one.

If you do decide to sell it, you might do well to hang on to it for a while as an investment. I doubt its value going to drop.

I would be debating the same thing in your shoes and I know it's not an easy decision. My vote is to keep it.

 

[AStone]

Welcome to 39ville, Kurly. and THR.

Two votes now for keep it.

Strongly recommended.

First, they don't make Mounties any more, so you're not going to find a new one.

Second, regardless of what anybody says, I think the quality of the older ones is superior to newer.

Third, if I had $500 burning a hole in my pocket, I'd tell you just the opposite and convince you to sell it to me. But I don't, and I couldn't really do that with integrity, anyway.

Vote to keep.

Nem

 

[Kurly]

I do think I've stumbled across a once in a lifetime opportunity by finding this and in the condition its in. And no doubt the value will continue to go up.

I guess my question is whether I should go ahead and sell it and make several hundred (what WOULD a NIB '67 Mountie go for nowadays?), then look around for another Mountie and use those proceed to offset a new purchase. I definitely want one to shoot -- whether to keep this one and shoot it and lose several hundred by doing so or taking the proceeds and purchasing something that wouldn't be a sacrilege to go out and shoot.

Oh and the person selling it to me did ask whether I was planning on re-selling it or using it. I told him my dilemma by buying such a nice rifle and hating to ruin its condition by firing it but ultimately I did want one to plink and hunt with. Don't want to be dishonest by deceiving him as I think he may have priced it lower because I wasn't interested in just making a buck off it... decisions, decisions!

 

[photoman12001]

I do think I've stumbled across a once in a lifetime opportunity by finding this and in the condition its in. And no doubt the value will continue to go up.

I guess my question is whether I should go ahead and sell it and make several hundred (what WOULD a NIB '67 Mountie go for nowadays?), then look around for another Mountie and use those proceed to offset a new purchase. I definitely want one to shoot -- whether to keep this one and shoot it and lose several hundred by doing so or taking the proceeds and purchasing something that wouldn't be a sacrilege to go out and shoot.

Oh and the person selling it to me did ask whether I was planning on re-selling it or using it. I told him my dilemma by buying such a nice rifle and hating to ruin its condition by firing it but ultimately I did want one to plink and hunt with. Don't want to be dishonest by deceiving him as I think he may have priced it lower because I wasn't interested in just making a buck off it... decisions, decisions!

Can you afford to keep this one and buy another used Mountie? I see several on Gunbroker now going for $500 that would be shooters. I know the advice of "buy them both" flys around on gun forums constantly but it may be a good choice here if you can swing it. Since the value of your current Mountie isn't likely to go down you can always sell it if you need to. Who knows what an unfired specimen would fetch in the future?

If you can't buy a second one I would keep this one and shoot it unless a reliable source thinks you can make a significant profit from this one. Unfortunately, I'm not qualified to estimate its value. For me I would have to make at least a $300 profit on the gun you have before I'd sell it rather than shoot it. Otherwise I'd just keep it and treasure it. That is meant in no way to estimate its value. That's just the minimum profit I would look for if selling it rather than shooting it.

 

[Kurly]

I could buy another Mountie and that's the direction I'm leaning towards depending on what a NIB one in this age range would sell for. Problem is, they're few and far between in a condition between 90-95% and certainly sell for a premium. While I do have an itchy trigger to try this out, the fact that it may lose several hundred dollars of its value in just firing it for the first time lends me to wait and see what prices it may bring. Besides, I'd like to put a Skinner peep sight on it and a Wolff spring to reduce the trigger pull. It's crisp, but I'd guestimate it to be around 7-8lbs which is a bit more than what I like.

Any suggestions on how to get rid of that spotting that's on the buttstock? I think it came from laying in the cardboard box (don't think it's acid free and that may have caused the discoloration). I've put on several coats of Howards Feed n Wax and while it's made it look 100% better over the dried condition I rec'd it in, it hasn't completely eliminated the discoloration.

 

[actocs]

This angers me. I can't believe how lucky some people are. To find as fine a rifle as that for that price. I think you should sell it. Because if you have to ask, you don't deserve to have it. Scott.

 

[Kurly]

Scott -- why the hate? I know what sour grapes looks like and seems to me you've taken it to a new level by ending with a personal attack.

So I've decided that just for you, I'll part with my newly acquired Mountie for the low, low price of $1,300. Hope it makes your day shine and future posts from you more pleasant to read.

 

[AStone]

The founder of this club is watching closely ....

We are a tightly knit community here who demonstrate respect for one another.

Those who dis others will be flung out pretty quickly.

I'm just sayin'.

 

[actocs]

Kurly, Sorry about that. It's just that if it were me, I'd be so happy that I would hardly be able to contain myself. I would keep it. And I would shoot it. A lot. I didn't mean to hurt any feelings. Sometimes my sense of humor is a bit harsh. Scott.

 

[AStone]

Thanks for your clarification, Scott.

I understand harsh humor.

I also understand not being able
to contain yourself if you owned that Mountie.

Best to use emoticons around here when expressing humor.
They let us know when you're joking v dissing people.

Welcome in.

Nem

 

[johnmcl]

Stock Re-Finishing Strategy

Hi all,

Over the weekend I doinked my older Marlin 39A, putting a big dent into the stock. The dent was steamed out in fine shape, restoring the fine lines of the stock. However, the steaming effectively removed the stain. Now I want to refinish the stock to make the color uniform.

Are there any lessons learned or best practices in refinishing a Model 39A stock?

Looking forward to responses,

 

[Kurly]

Scott,

No problem -- it's often difficult to tell one's intent or implication on these type boards so no hard feelings. I've been doing some number jigglin' and feel that even if I could sell the Mountie for $900, it'd probably take $750 to buy one that's close to it's condition. What with shipping fees and FFL transfer costs (not to mention taking the risk of buying it over the Internet sight unseen), I'd come out ahead at best, $200 ahead. Even though I could use the money, I think I'd be kicking myself later for doing it.

So, gonna order a Skinner sight and Wolff reduced spring, clean out the action and take it to the range shortly. If I ever did need to sell it, I could probably get at least what I have in it.

 

[actocs]

Hi Kurly, I'm glad to here you're probably going to hang on to it. Those are all good points. If you enjoy shooting a lot, then what you have there is something you should never let go of. If you lived close to me, I could take that stock trigger down to a nice crisp 2 3/4 -3 lbs. for you for free and it wouldn't take me long. That's something you'll want to have done to really enjoy shooting it. Stockpile some bricks of CCI Blazer .22 ammo, and shoot it a lot. All of my rifles shoot that stuff very well, and it's pretty cheap around here. Scott.

 

[AStone]

So, gonna order a Skinner sight and Wolff reduced spring,
clean out the action and take it to the range shortly.

YEAH!!!!!

Good decision!

Keep us posted.

And more pics as the project progresses, please.

 

[dfariswheel]

Are there any lessons learned or best practices in refinishing a Model 39A stock?

Yes:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=240961

Pictures on the second page.
After sanding wipe the bare wood with a damp sponge. This will give you an idea of how it'll look with a finish. If it isn't dark enough, I recommend one of the "Pre-1964" Red stock stains from Brownell's. This matches the old reddish walnut wood as used on older American guns.

 

[Kurly]

Scott,

Thanks for the offer on the trigger job -- I do wish that I DID live closer to you as I would definitely take you up on the offer. The trigger is the ONE thing that I'm not terribly crazy about. I'd estimate the pull to be about 7-8lbs but thankfully it's crisp. You wouldn't by chance happen to have or know of a website that has instructions on how to go about doing one do you? I've read that the Wolff springs help, but don't really change the pull all that much.

 

[teetertotter]

I am happy our local gunsmith reduced my trigger pull to 2-1/2 lbs 2 years ago on my 4 year old Golden 39a. What a difference in accuracy on small objects from 40 to 100 meters with CCI Blazer ammo too. I agree, stock up on CCI blazer! $20.00 a brick here.