What's the general opinion about the Marlin Golden 39A?

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I traded a couple center fire rifles I never shoot any more for one this past year. Put a red dot on it, kind of old tech and new tech. Very nice rifle.

IMG_2643.jpg


This has the new cross bolt safety.
 
I bought this one in 1982. I forget what I paid for it.

It's dropped a few squirrels in it's day. I think I'll keep it.

Cajunshoots054.gif

(Pay no attention to that Ruger box. I had just gotten a 10/22, and the box was just there.)
 
There are .22s and there are real rifles that just happen to be chambered in .22. The Marlin 39 is the latter by far. The 39A is one of the finest .22s made and has an immense amount of history behind it to boot. Basically Marlin 39s are a damned fine rifle that will make a fine heirloom to your grandkids kids.

Steel and Walnut the materials and makings of real guns.

Chris
 
Boo Hoo

Mal H said:
Heard enough yet?
Click to expand...

No. I need to squrim a little more, so keep those cards and letters coming.

Tax Refund.
Tax Refund.
Tax Refund.

I wonder what I'll spend my Tax Refund on this year?
 
Dad's Gun

Hi,

My father passed away in Feburary and I now have his 39a Mountie. We have 11 boys and 2 girls in the family and I'm number 12. I don't remember much about this rifle but one of the older brothers said Dad had it for over 55 years.
I checked out the one link to find a date using the serial numbers.
The numbers came back as being made "before 1883".? Does that mean Dad's gun is 124 years old???? That doesn't seem right, the gun works perfectly and I can't imagine it's that old.
Could that date be accurate?
 
No, the Model 39-A Mountie was made from 1953 to 1972.

Most post-war Marlins have a letter prefix in the serial number. You have to input that ONLY in the site here:

http://armscollectors.com/sn/marlinlookup.php

Go down to the SECOND input box listed under "Marlins made 1948 and after".
Put in the letter ONLY, no numbers.
 
Thanks

Thanks, That makes more sense....

I'm going to take it out today and check the scope he had put on it, I don't do much recreational shooting but I'm willing to give it a "shot":)

I'm more of a Glock 22, mossberg 500 kinda guy...
 
I doubt you'll find any words of discouragement from a 39 owner

I've had my Marlin 39D (carbine-length barreled version of the 39A) since 1971. From a discussion on a previous thread, I got out the original sales receipt from the safe, and I paid $68.50 for it, brand new. Don't you wish.

It's an OK target shooter, but certainly no heavy-barreled bolt action rifle. As a plinker, they don't get much better. For small game hunting, it doesn't take a back seat to anything. Many a squirrel, rabbit, crow, etc., out to 100yds.

It was my first .22 rifle, and I've never been tempted to buy another. I have a feeling that anything else would just be a disappointment. :)
 
I don't have any pics of my marlin taken down, but I think this .pdf file of the Marlin manual describes it better than I could anyway.
 

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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.
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Kurt, even though I'm a proud owner of a new Marlin 39A (sold a fine CZ 452 to buy it; another thread by Robctwo had a lot to do with that), I agree with you on that. But I'm pretty sure I'm going to have my barrel cut down to 18-20" as soon as I'm able financially. (Not at the top of my list right now, says the $-stressed business owner...)

V4V, when you get your 39A, or even if you just want to discuss the rifle more while deciding,
please come join us here. Several who have posted in this thread are over there as well ...

Sulaco: Thanks for your PM. (Good to hear from you.)
Not ignoring you, just overwhelmed at work. Will respond soon ...
 
Marling Golden 39A

This is probably my favorite .22. It doesn't jam or malfunction like the 10/22's do when they get dirty. I found mine at a pawn shop and haven't ever regretted it.
 
Is anyone aware of a gunsmith that would smooth up the action and lighten the trigger pull on Marlin 39s?
 
Wish I could help you there "Sabotage Alert". My 39, like most others I've seen recently, has a truly crappy trigger. Still, from an embarrissingly large inventory of firearms, it would be among the last to go if I had to make some ugly choices.
 
JohnBT, If you are getting bored with it and want to find yourself a new fling... I'd be happy to make room at my place for your Mountie.

The one thing I don't like about the Marlin 39 in any variation is I can't seem to walk away from one without buying it...
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I will second that sentiment, the only problem is that here locally you cannot find the older style ones. I grew up shooting my mom's late 60's 39A Mountie, and after I started getting other .22's I realized how great a gun the 39 is. I have owned most all the different major brand .22s including many more expensive rifles. NOTHING else is close. Buy it, you WILL love it, and keep it.................... Of course if you buy it and don't like it, I might be persuaded to take it off your hands at a discount price.:evil:
 
I have a Marlin 39 Mountie. It is one of the best 22s I own. I will pass it down to my Son and I'm sure he will pass it down to his.
 
Mine is old (1950), so I should upgrade, right? NOT! And it still works & shoots exceptionally well, even after all the combine rides, the countless rounds it has digested, and the trips it made in a rifle scabbard. If I ever find another old one, I'll buy that, too, just because . . .
 
Sistema1927 - I too own a Winchester 06-Expert in 1\2 Nickel that I first shot at age 7 and have had since I was 12 (had mine foe 44 yrs and has been in the family for over 76 yrs). I have been looking for another 22 rifle the 39A is looking pretty good to me. I would like to find one with a 24" barrel and straight stock. Second choice would be a Taurus 62.
 
i just went back and re-read my post, and noticed that I mentioned having the Taurus 63. Nope, don't have one of those, it was a typo and instead I have the Taurus 62. It is a nice solid rifle, but the marlin 39 is still king.
 
Hi,
Question for everyone.
My 1963 39a (thanks for the website to look up the dates) was my fathers and I am thinking about selling it. Could I do so at this forum? It's a very nice rifle, but I just don't see myself being able to use it. Everyone here seems to be almost a family because of this rifle and I trust your input. This was Dad's rifle not mine (does that make sense?) and I'm reminded each time I shoot it. Any thoughts?
 
This was Dad's rifle not mine (does that make sense?) and I'm reminded each time I shoot it. Any thoughts?
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Yes! I think you should keep your father's rifle. For sure. Why would you sell it?

I wish I had my old man's gun. :(
 
One of the best lever actions ever produced its still in production while most competitiors have come and gone.
Forged steel with walnut stock and Marlins micro groove barrel an American classic made in the U.S.A. for generations.;)
Only real complaint heard is its cost buy it once and never look back.
I vote two thumbs up!:D
 
My hands down favorite, probably because Dad got it for me when I was in the second grade back in '52. Even though I do not shoot it much, if I had to give up everything else, it would be the one to keep!
 
"JohnBT, If you are getting bored with it and want to find yourself a new fling... I'd be happy to make room at my place for your Mountie."

Thanks for the offer, but I think I'll keep it.

I didn't sell it when I wanted to buy my first car, and I didn't sell it when I was flat broke during college and after grad school, and I didn't sell it when I bought my first house and was spending half my takehome on the mortgage for a 65-year-old post-Victorian townhouse that hadn't been heated for 2 years and needed a few other major things done to it.

And times have changed for the better. I certainly don't need the money these days. :D

John
 
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