V4Vendetta
member
See my title. How much does one cost on average? Is it a good .22 ?
What's the general opinion about the Marlin Golden 39A?
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dfariswheel
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The Marlin 39 is certainly the finest lever action .22 of all time, and is just as certainly in the top 5 .22's of any type ever made.
Many people will argue about what other .22 lever guns are possibly as good as the Marlin, few will even try to argue another one is BETTER.
It's made of solid forged and milled steel, and American walnut, just like it's been since 1891.
The heavy barrel with Marlin's "Micro groove" rifling usually produces near target rifle accuracy.
The action gets smoother over time and use, to the point where it seems to operate itself.
My sole complaints are: The newer versions have a cross-bolt safety added that I don't care for, and like a total idiot, I sold mine some years ago.
You don't see too many used Marlin 39's around, and that's because most people are smart enough to KEEP them.
Prices are higher than the stamped metal and aluminum others use, but then a Mercedes costs more than a Ford for good reasons.
If this doesn't convince you to buy one, you're a bigger idiot than I am.
Many people will argue about what other .22 lever guns are possibly as good as the Marlin, few will even try to argue another one is BETTER.
It's made of solid forged and milled steel, and American walnut, just like it's been since 1891.
The heavy barrel with Marlin's "Micro groove" rifling usually produces near target rifle accuracy.
The action gets smoother over time and use, to the point where it seems to operate itself.
My sole complaints are: The newer versions have a cross-bolt safety added that I don't care for, and like a total idiot, I sold mine some years ago.
You don't see too many used Marlin 39's around, and that's because most people are smart enough to KEEP them.
Prices are higher than the stamped metal and aluminum others use, but then a Mercedes costs more than a Ford for good reasons.
If this doesn't convince you to buy one, you're a bigger idiot than I am.
The Marlin 39 is a great rifle. I don't own one, but I shot one in the past. The one that I shot was a TDS, and it was finicky with the ammo, and the accuracy could have been better, but it was a carbine so I give it a little leeway. The other problem is the price. The most recenmt new 39A I saw was $425. I saw 39 M (20") on line for 300,+ship and transfer but that was used.
Gordon
Member
+ 2 for DFARRISWHEEL
I keep a early 60's golden 39A as my primary garden patch gun. It is accurate as my 513T Remington and a lot faster into action. It's a lot more accurate than my Browning .22 which is like the run of the mill auto loaders. These are great investments!
I keep a early 60's golden 39A as my primary garden patch gun. It is accurate as my 513T Remington and a lot faster into action. It's a lot more accurate than my Browning .22 which is like the run of the mill auto loaders. These are great investments!
I own a Marlin 39 Golden, bought it for $329 LNIB 1 1/2 yrs ago. It is running smoother as I fire it more, but it was pretty smooth out of the box. I put a 2.5x scope on it and use it on squirrels. Its the only 22 rifle I own. Don't see a need for anything else. It is very well made, and a take- down to boot.
StrikeEagle
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- Jul 8, 2004
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Annie Oakley did her trick shooting with one. You won't find better!
dfariswheel said:The Marlin 39 is certainly the finest lever action .22 of all time, and is just as certainly in the top 5 .22's of any type ever made.
Many people will argue about what other .22 lever guns are possibly as good as the Marlin, few will even try to argue another one is BETTER.
It's made of solid forged and milled steel, and American walnut, just like it's been since 1891.
The heavy barrel with Marlin's "Micro groove" rifling usually produces near target rifle accuracy.
The action gets smoother over time and use, to the point where it seems to operate itself.
My sole complaints are: The newer versions have a cross-bolt safety added that I don't care for, and like a total idiot, I sold mine some years ago.
You don't see too many used Marlin 39's around, and that's because most people are smart enough to KEEP them.
Prices are higher than the stamped metal and aluminum others use, but then a Mercedes costs more than a Ford for good reasons.
If this doesn't convince you to buy one, you're a bigger idiot than I am.
Big +1 !!
I have owned a number of fancy and basic 22 rifles. Most have been sold. My Marlin 39A Mountie (20"bbl) will never be sold. The day before yesterday I took it out hunting rabbits and had a wonderful time with it. Mine has a compact Burris 2x7 on it.They are truly fine field pieces. Magpies curse the 39A!!
I could get rid of all my 22 rifles and just shoot the Marlin Mountie and be perfectly satisfied.
Northwet
Member
Model 39 TD
I have owned the short-barreled Model 39 for 13 years now while other 22s have come and gone. It's a keeper. I put a Williams Foolproof receiver sight on it to match my centerfire lever actions.
North"wet"
I have owned the short-barreled Model 39 for 13 years now while other 22s have come and gone. It's a keeper. I put a Williams Foolproof receiver sight on it to match my centerfire lever actions.
North"wet"
mirage
Member
I just picked up a 39a a few weeks ago. They are amazing, I was looking at the henrys or a 10/22. The 39a is in a different class. The one I found is a '57, the action is smooth as silk. This is one of the few guns I would highly reccomend.
SwampWolf
Member
Like Northwet, I installed a Williams receiver sight on my 39, like I have on three of my centerfire levers. I've got more than a couple of .22s in my battery but it would be a toss-up between the 39 and a little Steyr Zepher bolt-action as to which would be last to go, if ever that dreaded decision would be necessary.
You'll have to look long and far before you ever find an owner of a 39 with any serious criticism. My only complaint involves the lawyer -inspired trigger pull. I don't have a real issue with another lawyer- sired gimmick found on later 39s-the crossbolt safety.
You'll have to look long and far before you ever find an owner of a 39 with any serious criticism. My only complaint involves the lawyer -inspired trigger pull. I don't have a real issue with another lawyer- sired gimmick found on later 39s-the crossbolt safety.
I like my Golden quite a bit. I bought it several years ago and have no complaints. I have used it for plinking almost exclusively, but it is accurate and easy to handle. When I bought it, I had no idea what the differences were. I looked at a Marlin and a Browning at Carter's Country. The Browning was a rattle box. The Marlin was tight and smooth so I bought it. I haven't regreted it.
I have owned one for 9 years now. Like some others have mentioned the accuracy can be surprising. In this day and age of plastic, hardwood and aluminum the 39 gives a general feeling of owning something that is totally traditional - solid walnut and steel. I have the 24" barrel which is more muzzle heavy than I like , I wish I had bought one of the shorter barrel versions when they were still available. Although many say the 24" balances perfectly for them.
I did buy a shorter barrel Winchester 9422 , it has a MUCH smoother action but is not nearly as accurate.
The main drawback of my 39 was the out of the box trigger - at gritty 7.5lbs it was the worst trigger of any firearm I had ever owned. Was incredibly difficult to hit anything smaller than a Cape Buffalo. Working on the hammer produced a trigger that is now one of my best!
I will always keep mine - to me , the all-time classic Marlin 22.
I did buy a shorter barrel Winchester 9422 , it has a MUCH smoother action but is not nearly as accurate.
The main drawback of my 39 was the out of the box trigger - at gritty 7.5lbs it was the worst trigger of any firearm I had ever owned. Was incredibly difficult to hit anything smaller than a Cape Buffalo. Working on the hammer produced a trigger that is now one of my best!
I will always keep mine - to me , the all-time classic Marlin 22.
If you can find a used one from the 50's or 60's. new ones have come back s great deal but old ones are like butter on hot glass. so smooth.
Only real thingto look for is to make sure who ever owned it did not take it down a whole lot. I have seen two that were a bit sloppy in the middle and I will say both seemed to have been taken apart an awful lot.
Other wise, add the receiver sight, find a old lyman if you can they look better sigght there. Some add a scope but a receiver sight will makle you a better shot all around so use it.
Only real thingto look for is to make sure who ever owned it did not take it down a whole lot. I have seen two that were a bit sloppy in the middle and I will say both seemed to have been taken apart an awful lot.
Other wise, add the receiver sight, find a old lyman if you can they look better sigght there. Some add a scope but a receiver sight will makle you a better shot all around so use it.
Balog
Member
Does anyone have a reference for what year a serial number was manufactured in? Or am I gonna have to try and get that history of Marlin book I've seen ads for?
Everytime I've ever hefted a Marlin 39 I couldn't shake the feeling that it's too long and barrel-heavy for a multi-purpose rimfire. Then Winchester brought out the 16" Trapper version of their 9422, and the rest is history (for me and lever .22's).
Considering Winchester's recent decisions, I will consider it a win/win situation for a long time to come.
Considering Winchester's recent decisions, I will consider it a win/win situation for a long time to come.
Gordon
Member
Simply beautiful, your father had taste!
I will say only this:
it is perhaps the finest .22 I've ever handled... and that's even compared to an honest to goodness FN Browning take-down. Super accurate, not too pricey, made to last.
it is perhaps the finest .22 I've ever handled... and that's even compared to an honest to goodness FN Browning take-down. Super accurate, not too pricey, made to last.
P. Plainsman
Member
I can only speak to the recent production 39As with the crossbolt safety.
They are good guns. Above all they are very nicely made guns in this era of MIM and plastic. Forged blue steel, good wood, comfortable butt pad. I also liked the smooth and tight feel of the lever action. The box trigger was rather heavy -- I think this is a problem with current 39As compared to the older guns. I don't know whether there is a good aftermarket trigger kit for the 39A like the superb Wild West Guns trigger kit for the Marlin 1894.
The only real trouble with my 39A was that it jammed a little too much, even when clean. The jams weren't constant, but they were severe -- cartridge got caught in the lever action and the gun had to be disassembled to clear. If not for that, it would have been a keepsake .22.
As it happened, I sold my 39A and spent part of the proceeds on a cheap Marlin 60DL autoloader. Nowhere near the creature comforts or pride of ownership that came with the 39A -- but the little self-loading 60 has been perfectly reliable through its first c. 1000 rounds, and it is even more accurate than the lever gun was.
They are good guns. Above all they are very nicely made guns in this era of MIM and plastic. Forged blue steel, good wood, comfortable butt pad. I also liked the smooth and tight feel of the lever action. The box trigger was rather heavy -- I think this is a problem with current 39As compared to the older guns. I don't know whether there is a good aftermarket trigger kit for the 39A like the superb Wild West Guns trigger kit for the Marlin 1894.
The only real trouble with my 39A was that it jammed a little too much, even when clean. The jams weren't constant, but they were severe -- cartridge got caught in the lever action and the gun had to be disassembled to clear. If not for that, it would have been a keepsake .22.
As it happened, I sold my 39A and spent part of the proceeds on a cheap Marlin 60DL autoloader. Nowhere near the creature comforts or pride of ownership that came with the 39A -- but the little self-loading 60 has been perfectly reliable through its first c. 1000 rounds, and it is even more accurate than the lever gun was.
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