DrawDn:
I just got on the Marlin 39 bandwagon a year or so back.
In my old age I wanted to do a little casual target plinking, and I kept hearing good things about the Marlin 39 series, so I wanted to try one..
As with potato chips, I found out it's hard to stop with just one, so now I find myself with 5 Marlin 39's.
I have a 1950, 1975,1996, and two 1970 Century Limited's..
I think the little Century Limited with it's "brass bling" and octagonal barrel is a beautiful little rifle. The shorter barrel, and lighter weight makes it for easier carry in the woods, and the accuracy is certainly right up there with my regular 39A's..
My first 39 was the 1996 bought at a gun show in Savannah, Ga. last year. It has the cross block safety and rebounding hammer, but it shoots very nice, and I don't have an issue with either of the changes. In fact for a young person new to guns I might even think these two changes in the old 39A are not a bad thing at all..
I have 39's with factory sights, Redfield and Williams peep sights, and scopes, but the one I most enjoy shooting (target shooting) is the 1975 w/Williams peep sight.
That sucker is deadly accurate. (Well, "deadly" in that even with my limited marksmanship skills it'll generally put 'em where you want 'em..)
When I was a young boy with my first 22cal rifle (bolt action Remington) my friends and I would shoot cans and when we hit 'em we thought we were doing great. The inherent accuracy of the Marlin 39 series make "hitting" a can from casual target distance a given.. Now it's down to WHERE on the can you want to make a hole.
And that'll bring a smile to your face I guarantee you, even at 69 years of age.
Best Wishes and good shooting.
Jesse
P.S. The '50 is not in the photo below. The bottom rifle w/scope is my favorite autoloader, a Winchester 63.