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

Status
Not open for further replies.
Got my golden 39A 30 years ago. Around $90 for it and 500 rounds of ammo. Checked the price for a new one this past weekend. :eek:
 
I just bought an old Marlin 39 A

I just bought an old Marlin 39 A. I paid $379 here in the People's Republic of Massachusetts. What a great gun! I shot a half dozen rounds of long sub sonic (plinking at around 30 yards). It sounded like an air gun. The loudest sound was the lead hitting the can and ground.

The lever action feels really nice. I'm debating whether or not to refinish the wood. It looks like someone filled a 1/32nd " natural crack in the wood grain and there's plenty of surface wear and scratches. I would rather see the natural beauty of the wood (with the crack and all). :)
 
I've owned my 39M for a bit over 30 yrs. The only reason I haven't had one longer is that I couldn't fully appreciate its sterling qualities (or afford to buy a new one) until I was a relatively mature adult.

I put a Williams Foolproof receiver sight on it the same day I got it. I replaced the original brass bead front with a FO a few years back in a grudging concession to my aging eyes. Other than that, it's only needed ammo.

IMO, the main reason those older M39s folks purchase work so much slicker than the newer ones they've handled is that they've been shot more. Mine worked an entire order of magnitude more smoothly after the first dozen or so bricks of ammo had been through it.
 
just ordered my 3rd one I always use molybdenum disulfide to slick the workings of any new gun it works especialy well on the 39a it works its way into the metal many times more lubricating than graphite charliehd
 
OldWolf: Don't know what Charlie uses but Beeman's Airguns has a great moly grease product called "Metal-2-Metal" that's wonderful. Stays put and a tiny bit goes a long way. Makes stuff work slicker'n snot on a glass door knob.
 
I would prefer to have the 20" barrel instead of the 24" that comes on the new models. Has anyone had a 24" cut down to 20"? If so, how did it turn out? And about how much did it cost?
 
The model 39M carbines were produced with a straight-grip butt stock and 20" barrel. I bought mine over 20 years ago, and it does make the 39 into a much handier woods-loafing package, IMO.

They might not be currently in production, but they're fairly common finds at gun shows, in "used" racks at shops and on the various auction sites.

IMO, you oughtta be able to pick up a real nice one for significantly less than it'd cost you for an equally nice 39A and paying a good 'smith for the work.
 
I would prefer to have the 20" barrel instead of the 24" that comes on the new models. Has anyone had a 24" cut down to 20"? If so, how did it turn out? And about how much did it cost?
Click to expand...


You have that wrong. The 39 traditionally uses a 24" barrel and the shorter barreled models are late coming abortions.

My first Model 39 was a 1922 Star marked first year of the designation that had a 24" full octagon barrel. I sometimes regret having sold that rifle as it was a very early serial number 39, which first appeared in the Marlin catalog in 1922, but someone had drilled and tapped the side of the receiver for four holes - in fact the frontmost hole was in the barrel. Anyway the rifle was spoiled but still drew just over $1000. when it sold. I saw it for sale in GunBroker a couple of years ago, still for a grand and it was the guy I sold it to selling.

The company had been sold and reorganized with new model designations in 1922 otherwise we'd know our rifles today as model 1897.

I now have a 1950 and a 1954 versions both with the superior Ballard rifling that preceded the Marlin "Micro" button rifling of later to current models.

Before 1922 the rifle was the model 1897 - essentially the same but the wood gave the feel of a smaller rifle. Prior to the 1897 were the model 1891 which developed into the 1892, which when redesigned as a breakdown rifle became the 1897.
 
Sorry I didn't get back sooner
I have on hand now Moly Paste from Loctite, Gear Moly from Pacific Lubricants, Engine Guard from Kal Guard, Dri-Slide Bike Aid from Valspar
G L 2 Grease w/ Moly from John Deere. Most lubricant companies have some sort of Moly Lube. Its all available, just costs a lil more. My all time favorite
is a fine Moly Powder from Dow Corning. Don't have any right now.

Wouldn't you know it Wally World just called My new 39a is in
Only 500 $$ last one was 229 OK I better go pick it up

Bring it home and M O L Y it

Charliehd
 
"the shorter barreled models are late coming abortions."
Click to expand...
Maybe so. But everybody wants one.
And they kill abortion doctors in Kansas!

They wouldn't be selling for twice what a long barrel 39A is bringing if there were a down-side.

Marlin is foolish for not bringing back the Mountie!

rc
 
Crack, crack, prozak

I'm not the best shot in the world, so when I lug several different firearms out shooting I usually get frustrated and want to go home soon after I begin. Since I bought my 39a I feel less like skippy the punk. When I miss with all my other guns, I load up the Marlin and its bullseye city. Marlin gives me warm fuzzies. No scope on mine, want to install a peep sight.
 
1954 39a

Bought my 39A in 1954 and still have it. My son made me promise to give it to him when I'm through with it. It still looks good with only some very small scratches on it. I don't think I could part with it if someone offered me $1000. I bought it at a Coast to Coast store and paid $49.95 for it. Most of my hunting was done from the tractor seat or on horseback.
 
Golden 39-A Mountie info help!

I can't seem to get the link that is posted earlier to work with my serial #. I would like to find out how old my Marlin Golden 39-A Mountie is. The serial # is as follows: S 18599
This rifle was my grandfathers.
Any help is greatly apprieciated ..:D
 
marlin 39a

Hey guys i have a model 39a 22 long rifle. My dad is 60 and he got it when he was 14 and it was used then. Never missfired jammed or give a minuits trouble. Its in really good shape. Any ideas what it might be worth?
 
I am getting ready to purchase a new Marlin 39. I see a lot of posts about extraction problems with the new Marlins. Is this just a very small % or is this a serious problem with newly manufactured Marlin 39s?
 
I haven't heard of many extraction problems.. The most frequent issue with the newer rebounding hammer version is light firing pin strikes. It is correctable with minimal grief. I don't know what the percentage is but I would bet there are far more 39 owners are pleased with the 39 than not. They hold their value well and are easy to sell should you decide it isn't for you.
 
My new 1978 Marlin 39A

Just picked up,a mint used 1978 39A. About the only wear is to the left side of the hammer.Otherwise, perfect.
The issue I have is that the rear folding sight is tilted a little to the rear. Is this normal? If not can it be fixed?
 
Last edited:
I just cancelled my order for a new 39A because of all the discussions on FTF and FTF on other boards
I bought a used 1978 39A instead
Click to expand...

I know the feeling. I wanted a new 39A bad but couldn't bring myself to lay down the cash because of all the bad reviews. I ended up buying a nice 1979 39A off GB.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

D
  • Locked
Marlin "Golden 39A" Question
Replies
2
Views
1K
georgeky
G
W
  • Locked
Best Marlin 39A
Replies
6
Views
784
Freethinker
F
T
  • Locked
Price Check on a Marlin 39A Golden
Replies
11
Views
697
TCB in TN
T
MachIVshooter
  • Locked
Marlin model 39A "Golden"
2
Replies
29
Views
12K
Threeband
T
Texas10mm
  • Locked
Marlin Golden 39A Mountie
2
Replies
26
Views
4K
Picher
Picher
Back
Top