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

[dfariswheel]

Just picked up,a mint used 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?

That's normal. The sight blade tilted to the rear eliminates glare on the sight.

 

[sebtool]

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 ..

I've got the same problem - entered just the letter, the letter and 1st #, then 1st and
2nd #s, still no response. SN D24434.

It's a fairly old 1, has a finger groove forearm that's supposedly collectible. I dunno about that, but it's a durn good shooter!

Mine's been drilled and tapped on the side of the round barrel as mentioned above. I've been looking for a scope mount for it, as my eyes ain't quite what they used to be. Any ideas on where to find 1? I have a couple of old Weaver scopes I'd like to try on it that would look sharp, but have to fine the mount -help!

 

[mayer813]

I found this site helpful. If it was made before 1906 you use the #s not any letters. From 1948 on you use the letter only.

Marlin Manufacture Dates http://oldguns.net/sn_php/marlinlookup.php s=1958-59-sn d24434 is 1889

 

[AStone]

I just re-found this thread.

Glad to see it's still alive.

Scanned it to find this post by me a long while ago.

Found several posts along the way that I'll return to shortly,
especially this one by Mo about light strikes on newer models
with a rebounding hammer that probably relate to my ftf(ire) issue.

Added by edit: Then, there's this statement in this post by RCModel that I agree with.

Marlin is foolish for not bringing back the Mountie!

Which is why I still plan to get my 39A cut down to somewhere between 16" and 18".

 

[skynyrd1911]

I bought a brand new one in April of 09 and have had nothing but problems and Marlin could not fix it after 3 trips back to the factory. They are refunding my money this time. Wish it were not true, because I dearly love everything about the rifle, but for the amount of $$$ I gave for it it should work almost flawlessly. Mine was either junk or a lemon. As soon as I get my refund I will be on the search for another, but I'm a little hesitant now.

 

[AStone]

Condolences, Skynyrd.

Wow, with your attitude, Marlin should just send you a new one, free of charge.

If I was president of Marlin, I sure would.

 

[skynyrd1911]

They told me that they didn't have any new ones to replace mine with...

 

[JustsayMo]

It is my understanding that any NEW Marlins will now be made in Remington's Ilian, New York plant.

I wonder how that will play out and which models/calibers will survive the move. It'll be difficult for me when I spot the first Marlin on the shelf that isn't stamped New Haven.

 

[skynyrd1911]

Whether it be CT, NY or NC, they still couldn't service their own product. :banghead: It sure made me feel bad to ship it off in a Marlin box and it came back in a Remington box. First time it had paperwork with a Marlin letterhead, second time was Remington letterhead, third time was H&R letterhead. ***

 

[gunzee]

I suggest that you call Brownell's Inc, and have them recommend a smith for you. Get it fixed, and if you still don't like it, sell it.

 

[Nar]

It is a very well made rifle, it is the best .22 in my collection and the irons are dead on. probibly one of the best plinkers that one could find (IMO)

 

[skynyrd1911]

I love the rifle if it worked. Too late, I've sent it back and they are going to cut me a check. I'm looking for another as we speak.

 

[JustsayMo]

Skynyrd wrote

Whether it be CT, NY or NC, they still couldn't service their own product

Indeed. Conversely I sent a 1965 vintage Marlin 336 back earlier this year and they sent me back a BEAUTIFULLY converted 336 Cowboy in Cal. 38-55. It was the second one I had converted and I have nothing but praise for their workmanship and service. My understanding is that those craftsman no longer work for Marlin/Remington/Freedom Group. :banghead:

Marlin 336 Cowboy (conversions) 38-55 and 30-30

A friend of mine sent his 70's vintage 1894CL in 32-20 last spring, a rifle and caliber LONG out of production with a chamber issue and Marlin replaced the barrel and had it back to him in under a week. He used that to win the next Silhouette match with his seasons best pistol caliber score.

Needless to say, he raved about the excellent service Marlin gave him.

I'd be tempted to just get the $ back and find a good used one. I've owned 5 and every one was a good shooter, even the 39TDS with the rebounding hammer. I'd love to find a newer 39 Cowboy but never seem to have the $ when they come up for sale...

 

[teetertotter]

That is sad they are returning your money as have nothing at this time in stock to replace. Mine is 4 years old and at the time had FTE off and on, depending on ammo. For $50.00, our local gunsmith fixed plus the FTF that would happen to frequently. I haven't had an issue since, averaging 500 rds a month, 5 months out of the year, for the past 2 years. Maybe Remmington employees will build with quality in mind?

 

[CoastieShep]

I've got one that my dad bought for me back in 85 when I was just a little kid. After countless thousands of rounds put through it, I've only had one problem, and that was a broken firing pin. The action is slicker than snot, and is more accurate than I am. It is the only gun I own that I will never sell.

 

[HOWARD J]

I got mine from my brother in the early 50's--he got drunk & lost my savage 22/410 in the woods & I demanded he give me his 39---he did.
I love that gun---at the state range we stood cigarettes on end at the 100 yd. range were able to hit them ( 12 power scope)
We don't do that anymore--cigarettes are $6.50/7.00 per pack.
It is my favorite .22 by far........................

 

[fiddleharp]

Love this rifle!
However, unless you're some sort of Old West purist, you've probably got a scope mounted on your 39A. Personally, I wouldn't hunt without one.
Problem is, that aluminum scope mount base is a flimsy afterthought which allows the scope to lose its zero with annoying frequency. The rifle was designed long before scopes came into common use and this was the solution Marlin came up with.
I'd like to see the receiver top changed on future 39A's to create a more solid platform for a scope.

 

[Reaper1974]

I purchased my Golden 39A in 1977. Mine (with 24" barrel) shot unbelievable (hole for hole) with CCI Stinger ammunition. The rifle fit me so well and I knew in so well that shooting a squirrels eye out or drilling spent .22 casings at 100 yards was no challenge what so ever. Unfortunately my home was robbed in 1985 and my "BABY" along with other nice weapons was lost. To this day I would LOVE to have the thieves in my scope!!!!

 

[Reaper1974]

I purchased my Golden 39A in 1977...the 24" barrel was perfect for me and it shot so Unbelievable (hole for hole) with CCI Stinger ammunition. The rifle fit me so well and I knew it so well that shooting a squirrels eye out or drilling spent .22 casings at 100 yards was no challenge what so ever. Unfortunately in 1985 my home was robbed and my "BABY" (along with other fine weapons) were gone forever. To this day I would LOVE to have the thief or thieves in my scope.

With the right shooter behind this rifle, no other rifle can equal it's accuracy!!!!

 

[Reaper1974]

I purchased my Golden 39A in 1977. Mine (with 24" barrel) shot unbelievable (hole for hole) with CCI Stinger ammunition. The rifle fit me so well and I knew in so well that shooting a squirrels eye out or drilling spent .22 casings at 100 yards was no challenge what so ever. Unfortunately my home was robbed in 1985 and my "BABY" along with other nice weapons was lost. To this day I would LOVE to have the thieves in my scope!!!!

 

[skynyrd1911]

A friend wants to sell me his for $460 which is what he paid for it at a gunshow back in Feb. I would rate it at 90% Overall it's pretty slick. It doesn't have the checkering I like so well, but this one works. Going to shoot it this weekend. Also going to a local gunshow this weekend to see what else is out there. If I don't find anything that I like at the gunshow I'll probably buy his. nIt needs the filler screws on top as whoever had it before him must have had a scope on it.

 

[PX15]

JMOfartO:

Well, since it seems this thread has a longer life expectancy than Dracula I'll add my old farts 2c worth.

I'm new to the Marlin 39A, but I have two now, (1996 39A/1970 CL) and I love 'em both...

Fantastic rifles..

the action on my full size 1996 39A is not as "slick" as that of the 1970 "gussied up" Mountie, but it IS a "tack driver"..

Jesse

 

[Hanshi]

I've had my Marlin Golden 39A for nearly 49 years. It was and is the finest lever .22 on the market IMHO. The new ones are a little different but even a bit prettier than those from a half century ago. Mine still maintains it's match accuracy. I do believe in the claim "The cadillac of .22s". Their cost these days is very high. I think they are still a good buy.

 

[Morrell]

I'm looking to get a new 39a and am somewhat worried about reports of the new ones. Has the quality gone down hill? I don't want to buy a lemon. And yes, I'm glad to hear about all these old ones that work wonderfully, but please only tell me about new ones

 

[skynyrd1911]

I hate to say this, but in my opinion the new ones are pretty as heck and I had a BAD experience with mine and would not recommend a new one to anyone. I was at a GunShow in Little Rock yesterday and there was a used newer model like the new one I bought and they were asking $499 for it. Wouldn't mind taking the wood off a new one and putting it on my 1981 model. If you buy a new one I will pray for you!