Orion8472: Anything dfariswheel posts should be printed and saved. You'll not find a higher authority on 39's. A couple of thousand years from now some archaeologist will find his musings in some cave and wonder why there has been so little real advancement has come since 1892 in rifle technology. Your 39 will sell for five quadrillion dollars and poster 5,389,004,763 in this thread will write "can you believe those guys way back in 2010 were bitchin' about paying $450.."
On sights- what are you using the rifle for? How good are your eyes?
I've shot silhouette matches (out to 100 yards) with my 39's with the original stock sights, Skinners and Williams Sights. I've shot other matches out to 200 yards with my Cowboy out to 200 using both the original and Marbles tang sights.
While hunting I've never taken a shot beyond 50 yards on game.
Fast Frank has smacked some targets WAY out there with his scoped 39a and a young friend of mine can ring steel out to 400 with his tang sighted 39.
In my experience Skinners will get you about the same range as the stock open sights provided you have good (young) vision. If you're over 40 the Skinners will likely be better, especially at range.
The Williams sight will get you a bit farther and the Marbles tang sight a good bit beyond that.
It really boils down to what you're using your 39 for. My primary use for my 39 is metallic silhouettes though come September I LOVE hunting Grouse (legal here) with my 39/1897 Marlins. Load up the tube, take a limit and then plink your way home. Better days are few.
If you live or recreate in rural areas critters on up to Coyote size (35 pounds) come into play.
Kerr over at Marlin Owners (and maybe here too) took a nice Bobcat with his 39 - one shot, no tracking. Coyotes are tougher than cats in my experience, even a solid hit with a 243 could lead to a long track and finishing shot - especially at range. 30 caliber and above seams to anchor them provided the shot is delivered through the boiler room. A 22lr
at ethical range is very capable on Song Dogs and I've not noticed any real difference in performance as far as distance of track or necessity of a finishing shot compared to similar diameter center fire rifles though the destruction is visually more impressive with the faster bullets. Put it where it needs to go and a majority of the time a track is short or not needed.
That being said a Marlin 39 is NOT my first choice for varmints or predators, but if it's all I had, I would and have taken the shot. For Grouse and other small game, My 39 and Single Six have made more meat than all of my other guns combined.