Marlin Golden 39 A

Welcome to THR!

I don't have a Marlin 39, but I've always wanted one, and from what I hear they're awesome... I'm sure you'll love it!

heard it was the best 22 rifle lever action

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This. IIRC, one of the first firearms to chamber .22lr.....and I think it was in the 1890s? Still made most of the way they used to (minor changes, but still a "real" .22 with real wood to boot)--metal internals, takedown, etc. One of the sweetest .22s I've ever shot was a 39A.

Enjoy, and post pics.

Had one, had to replace the firing pin several times, had a lot of issues with light strikes, especially with cheap ammo (Federal bulk).

Stick with good ammo and don't dry fire it

When it worked, it was a lot of fun- very mild and low noise with good accuracy. I would suggest using a full-size good-quality rifle scope, not some cheap .22 chinese junk.

Good luck

Plinker77;

I'm going to suggest you do little looking around the rifles forum & find the model 39 club. There's over 2000 posts about these guns. If any question you might have hasn't already been covered, ask it, it will get answered.

900F

It on this same forum.

Here's a link:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=261635

The short answer is, the Marlin Model 39 is almost certainly the finest .22 lever rifle ever made.
No plastic, no aluminum, no MIM metal, just solid milled steel and American walnut, made the way it was in 1892.

Accuracy is almost always astounding, especially if you test various brands and types of ammo the find a type that particular gun "likes".
Its literally a rifle your great grand children will be shooting far in the future.

I got a 39 a while back. I liked it so much that within a couple of months, I had bought another one with a different stock and barrel, so I could enjoy it in different configurations. If I saw a different one for sale, and I had the money, I'd buy a third.

You didn't screw up. No way, no how.

I just want to make sure i didnt mess up by getting it.

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You didn't.

I have a 39A made in 1978. Paid $200 for it at a pawn shop. The whole reason I haven't bought a CZ 22 is because I do not beleive it would shoot any better than the 39. Plus it has the built in mag and will shoot all three 22 cartridge styles of any power level.

I have a 4x scope on mine which some do not like. It is the only way I can use the accuracy that this rifle provides. I had an oportunity to buy 2 of the 20" barreled Mounties for $300 each a couple of years ago and passed. I have been kicking my butt ever since that stupid mistake.

You did not make a mistake. I do wish Marlin would make a lighter version with a 20" barrel again.

I have four 22s, a Winchester 69A, A Winchester 9422, A Ruger 10/22 and a 1960s model Marlin 39A that I bought about six months ago at a pawn shop for $425. Without a doubt, the 39A is the most accurate. It came with a cheap 4x scope on it which is still there. I have thought about taking it off and putting a peep sight on it, but have not done so yet. You will not be sorry you bought one.

Congrat's. Happy with mine.

Welcome to THR, Plinker, and to the 39 club.

Glad to see Dfariswheel has already recommended that you come by our (un)official 39 "club" (thread). You'll find a ton of information about 39s over there, and lots of friendly people. It may take you a couple of months to read, though; we've been at it for a while.

Congrats on purchasing a fine rifle. Ya' done good.

I heard that lead ammo doesn't shoot well . Any thoughts.

All .22LR ammunition has solid lead bullets.
The bullets in .22LR are either coated with a clear lubricant or are brass or copper plated as a lubricant.

"Usually" the better grade ammo is plated, but what will shoot the best in your .22 is something you have to experiment with. Many .22 shooters buy as many brands and types of .22 that they can find and test shoot them until they find the one that shoots the best.
Then buy a case of it.

You will LOVE the 39A! I have several, and I'm always on the lookout for another one. I agree you should come by the 39 club and sign up. Great bunch of guys there with a lot of knowledge to share.
Welcome to the forum, and enjoy your new Marlin!

I've had mine for 40+ years and it's still my favorite rimfire.

Bunch of threads on it; great rifle.

As I've said many many times, please Marlin, for the LOVE OF GOD, please come out again with a 16" TDS and/or a 20" mountie version. PLEASE!!!! I *want* my TDS to lose its high collector status so that I can shoot it with impunity and guilt-free!

I sure love the one my great-grandfather gave me. It was about 40 years old when I got it, so that makes it about 50 now.

best .22 ever! hands down!

I heard that lead ammo doesnt shoot well . Any thoughts.

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Thoughts? You heard a bunch of horsecrap.

... please Marlin, for the LOVE OF GOD, please come out again with a 16" TDS and/or a 20" mountie version. PLEASE!!!!

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No kidding. Me, too.

Actually, I don't want a TDS so much as a Mountie-type with a 16" & pg stock.

As soon as I'm able to do so financially, I'm having my 39A cut down to somewhere between 16" and 18".

(I've been saying that for almost 1.5 years now; yeah, business has sucked for a really long time. )