The Marlin 39 Club

[tubeshooter]

hi guys,
there is someone needig help in the firearms search page : http://www.thehighroad.org/showthrea...24#post9067724

looking for info on a 39 with serial TT8--

hope someone can help him

I did not find any indication of "TT". I found only a few instances where double letters were used. AA through AD (1965 to 1968) and BO (1972). There are a few other instances, but they are indicated as non-model-39 .22s and both letters start at "A" and end with "L".

So - maybe somebody stamped it post-manufacture for some reason? I don't know.

The info I got was from a Marlin Owner's forum attachment, easily found on the web. Just a plain "T" indicates 1960... but it sounds like this person already knows that.

Just picked up a 39a Takedown . Its been refinished & showing a little wear on the bluing . Have not shot it yet . $400.00 . Serial # k= 1953 ? How did I do ?

Not bad, not wonderful (my opinion, of course). Probably better than average in today's gun economy. Refinishing generally hurts value unless the job is outstanding. Of course, if this is a shooter, doesn't really matter... but since you asked. Welcome to the club!

I just now bought a Marlin 39A and I would LOVE some info from all y'all that have done the leg work already.

BUT its too long a thread to read and try to find this information [ if already in print ].

So if any have a date of manufacture and any other pertinent information,it would be greatly appreciated.

This is in VERY nice shape,and I see no dings or rust or even evidence of use = yet .

Serial # is 0609####

Not sure if you can see the initials stamped into the barrel,they appear to be I B ?.

06xxxxxx serial number should be 1994 year of manufacture. That barrel pic is rather blurry, and I can't begin to make out any initials. Welcome to the club!

I am just removing the cheap scope it came with whilst I see if I can get a Skinner sight sent from the USA to the UK ( I prefer my lever guns without a scope)

Looks like they do - and it does not cost an arm and a leg. You will see the options when you check out of your online shopping cart. Welcome to the club!



_____________________________


It is true that this thread is huge, and it can be hard to find info. Marlin Owners Forum and Rimfirecentral are both good resources to use.


Good shooting to all.

 

[scaatylobo]

TKS @ Tubeshooter

I see the date you sent as 1990+ so its a shooter and not one to collect dust in the safe.

I so look forward to putting a few MILLION rounds through her.

Good chance she will take a tree rat or bunny as well as a ground hog too.

 

[tubeshooter]

You're welcome - thank you, sir.

To me... aside from special editions (I am not familiar with all of the various ones and the degree of rarity), they are all shooters. The sole exceptions being the ones that are old enough to not be recommended for high-velocity ammo or faster. In that case, I would gladly do standard velocity or lower; anything else is abuse. Either that or get a high-speed bolt.

The Model 39a is great and has a long and storied history, but the standard variant especially is not particularly rare or exotic in the big picture. So shoot away, I say! '50s, '60s, '90s, whatever. These guns were meant to be shot.


Enjoy! And welcome, again.

 

[texasred777]

Meant to be shot!!

Meant to be shot? Better believe it. I've got a 1990 model 39as that I bought used in 2010. It has the safety and rebounding hammer. I've got no gripes about that. The shop owner said he sold it new, a few years later got it back, and sold it a second time. When I was paying for the gun, the 2nd owner came into the shop. We talked a while. He said he didn't know who owned it first; but that he and his family had shot thousands of rounds thru it. It sure is sweet. I have a rail for a scope, but haven't put it on yet. (My eyes aren't quite that bad yet.) It's a real tack driver. I've put a lot of rounds thru it.

 

[scaatylobo]

BEFORE spending loot on a sight that is a pos ,please tell me what y'all like as to a peepsight,for the Marlin 39A.

That is THE metal sight that I shoot the best [ put one on the Ruger 10/22 ]and it improves these old eyes well enough to not use/need scopes.

 

[OldWolf]

Skinners are very nice sights.

Currently, for another rifle though, I am considering a New England Custom Gun sight.

 

[scaatylobo]

Thanks OldWolf,will look at them right now.

 

[OldWolf]

I am using a Skinner on the 39A I use for Silhouette matches. I am doing pretty well with it. the NECG sight I am considering is the grooved model and it may go on my Winchester 9422.

 

[Orion8472]

So, . . . looks like they [NECG] don't make a peep sight for the 39a. Too bad. They look good.

 

[OldWolf]

You would have to mount a grooved scope ramp to the receiver, then mount the "Grooved .22 Peep" to that. Since only the rear 1 inch of the grooved scope mount would be used in this application, my thought is that you could shape the unused forward portion into a gentle taper (somewhat like the Skinner...sort of) to make it more sculpted and pleasing to the eye.

The Skinner mounts very nicely to the 39A, but lacks the screw adjustments. Not really a big deal to me since I sight in at 50 yards and then compensate for further distances (and closer).

Still, I'd like to give the NECG a try.

 

[Orion8472]

Set up that way, wouldn't it make the sight too high? That's been my issue with most of these receiver based peep sights. You MAY need a taller front sight, and I want to keep my front sight factory.

 

[OldWolf]

Yes, a taller front blade will likely be needed with the NECG sight. But the design of the NEGC sight keeps the base of the sight close to the receiver, so it is not for certain a taller front blade will be required.

Most receiver sights require a taller front sight. Although it may interest you to know that the Skinner I have on my 39A zeroed at 50 yards with the factory sight...but this is not always the case according to the Skinner folks. That is why they recommend a 0.400” front blade with their rear sight on a 39A.

 

[tubeshooter]

I have had a Skinner on my 39A for awhile now. Very pleased. The brass sight I chose complements the gold trigger very well, but the blued one looks perfectly fine also.

I started off using my original front sight, which worked fine. I later replaced it with a Skinner front, and glued a bead about where the original gold bead would be. Did not file it down, so now I can't use my hood (no big deal to me; YMMV).

If you anticipate constantly fiddling with the sight for various loads and ranges, you might want to go ahead and do the Williams FP. It appears to be the most easily adjustable of the common offerings.

Before the Skinner, I had a Williams 5D. Nothing was wrong with it, quite serviceable. The Skinner has a cleaner look and would be significantly less prone to breakage, IMO. (Funny aside: I never removed my 5D mount, so my rifle looks... distinct. )

Other fairly common peep sights people tend to use include XS sights and Lyman sights. I think the Lyman used to be made of steel and is now aluminum, if I am not mistaken.

Marble Arms makes a tang sight for the 39A, if you are inclined to go that way. Longer sight radius, but generally considered somewhat more fragile than most (all?) receiver sights. I have to say that they look good, and are arguably more period-correct (early days, anyway) than virtually all receiver sights.

In addition to front sights, Dr. Skinner and the team will provide various aperture sizes that are the same size/thread (compatible) as the Williams sights. They also have what amounts to a lifetime, no-questions-asked warranty on their products. I have gravitated towards the largest aperture over time; gives quicker general target acquisition compared to the standard size. I guess the next largest is pretty good, too.



I hope this helps the club. I am a fan of Dr. Skinner's work and have a number of his products, but I don't think any of them (at least what I have mentioned here) would be considered "bad". Some do cost more...

 

[Irish Bird Dog]

I use/have a Skinner sight on my M39 "rifle" 24"bbl (octagon/tapered) and it did not work with the Original Front Sight..changed out for Skinner and filed down to dial it in..but then I didn't have to remove the original rear sight either. However, on my Golden M39 "carbine" I still use/have the original/factory rear sight yet....do have a Skinner for my Golden Boy + new higher brass front sight (just in case), both yet to be installed. With the Skinner on my Rossi "Puma" (early 1980's) w/16" bbl, I got by with the factory front sight and that is good 'cuz it is part of the front bbl band.

I like the Skinner cuz it has Class on a Classy gun! Built like a tank & forever guarantee...but then what's there to go bad??

Bought all my Skinner's at the factory in St. Ignacious, MT...got to meet Andy Larrson, new owner of Skinner Sights. Nice fellow and got the "bums" tour of the mini factory.

 

[DanMar757]

I have recently installed a Skinner peep on my 39D and was also hoping to retain the factory front sight (simple blade with brass bead), but that didn't work out. The factory front sight measured right at .400", so I ordered and have now installed a .600" blued blade from Skinner. I haven't had the new set up to the range yet, but fully expect to have to file down the taller sight just a little to keep the peep from having to be elevated to the max. With the factory front sight on and using the fine (.040") aperature, I was shooting tight groups that were about 9" high at 50 yards.

I will post a follow up after my next range trip to let you know the results with the new front sight.

DanMar

 

[scaatylobo]

Factory front sight ?

I was hoping to find a peep that uses the factory front sight,just my preference s'all.

Any suggestions ?.

thank you !.

 

[dfariswheel]

You can usually use the factory front with the Williams and Lyman receiver sights.

 

[Nelg_Kir]

I have a nice collection of Skinner sights and I like them a lot. I'll dial the 1894's and 95's in at 100 yds and leave them. For the 39 I'm very fond of the marble tang. Mine is set for 50 yds then 8 clicks up and I'm dialed in at 100. Very handy. I have the 16.5" 39tds so the extra sight radius is nice too. However, IIRC there are some serial number issues with some 39s because the numbers are on the tang.

 

[tubeshooter]

[bump]


The old 39A hasn't seen any action in awhile, and is due for a workout.


Anybody done any shooting lately?

 

[CB900F]

Fella's;

I haven't been doing a lot of shooting, pneumonia interferes with range time. But I have turned a couple of interested parties onto the thread.

900F

 

[kimberkid]

I took my 39A rescue out a couple months ago ... it shot as it always does, which is great!



If it looks a little odd, it's because I found it at a garage sale ... the barrel was rusted closed and it was generally in pretty bad shape. I adopted it as a project and a couple years later I ended up putting octogonal 20" Marlin Century barrel and forgrip on it, cut down the feed tube and refinished the wood. She doesn't get shot much but she's back in action anyway.

 

[CB900F]

Kimberkid;

I don't think you shoulda posted that picture! 'Cause that's probably pretty close to what the O.P. of this entire thread wants. Real bad. You could become the victim of a conspiracy!

But it's gonna be entertaining to watch from the sidelines.

900F

 

[tubeshooter]

@kimberkid:


Yeah - if you would be so kind as to post the process you went through to get to the finished product, as well as some cost estimates (ballpark if you're not comfortable or willing to do exact numbers)...

...I know of at least one person who might be very interested in that information. Thank you in advance.


Nice looking rifle! Especially considering the condition you say you found it in.

 

[kimberkid]

@kimberkid:


Yeah - if you would be so kind as to post the process you went through to get to the finished product, as well as some cost estimates (ballpark if you're not comfortable or willing to do exact numbers)...

...I know of at least one person who might be very interested in that information. Thank you in advance.


Nice looking rifle! Especially considering the condition you say you found it in.

Well ... as I said I found it at a garage sale, its been at least 10-12 years ago; the house had belonged to an couple I'd guess in their mid 70's or maybe a bit older and their kids were helping them downsize to sell it and move into a assisted living setup. It had been bought by "dad" when he got home from Korea, the kids learned to shoot with it but it had been sitting in the corner of their basement since the 70's. It was an older home and had a lime stone basement and dirt floor ... and in Kansas that's not an optimal storage idea. As I said the barrel was rusted terribly, you couldn't see light through it and the outside was rusted / pitted just as bad ... the receiver and internal parts had only some speckling of rust and the lever cleaned up well enough for me. The "kids" had no interest in it and I bought it for $50, took it home and it sat in the corner of my basement for a couple years until I came across a Marlin Century barrel on eBay and bought it for $60(this was back before ebay banned gun parts).

I'm a tinker-er and have a decent collection of tools, workbench vice etc ... I let it soak in some rust inhibitor for a few days, a bit of padding on the aluminum vice jaws to protect the receiver and unscrewed the barrel with the help of a torch, and a pipe wrench with a breaker bar on the barrel. I cleaned it up screwed in the new barrel ... the notch for the extractor was off a bit and I used a thin aluminum washer to line up the barrel to the extractor.

When I discovered the original 39A forearm wasn't going to fit correctly because of the difference in the dimensions of the two barrels I started looking around for a 39A Century hand guard and found one on Numrich, along with a complete feed tube which I had to cut down to fit the 20" barrel (it was for the standard 24" barrel ... I think these parts were about $70.

The front sight from the round 39A barrel didn't fit the octogonal barrel, I ended up using one from a Ruger 10-22 that I had left over from another project. The rear sight fit fine and lined up perfectly with 2 notches of elevation.

The rest was easy, just stripped the stock and refinished it with the hand guard with satin polyurethane.

By the way, Numrich is listing the 20" Century barrel for $77 here ... but I don't see the handguard listed
http://www.gunpartscorp.com/ad/590410.htm#450210

Its very handy at 20" and I really like the octogonal barrel ... Hope this helps

 

[tubeshooter]

Yes - that is very helpful!


Thank you very much for obliging me and the board on the details of your project. Really appreciate it! And again - the final result is very well done, I must say.