What's the general opinion about the Marlin Golden 39A?
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skynyrd1911
Member
failure to extract mainly. sent to factory 3 times. 4th time they said they would either replace it or give me a refund. 3 days later they call and say they didn't have any to replace it with, so I got a refund check for the purchase price MINUS sales tax. Took that money and bought me a good used one.
PX15
Member
Morrell:
I don't have a clue as to the quality of the new 39's, and I only have the experience of the two I recently bought.
I would suggest you go to the dedicated Marlin owners forum (www.marlinowners.com) and ask the question there.
I did that, and from what I read from those folks who should know..
The new 39A's have a different extractor than the old ones, and apparently it's not as good as the older ones. You CAN still buy the old extractors (Wisner) and retrofit them to a new 39A if you need to. In fact I bought one with that in mind, but my 1996 isn't having enough problems for me to go to the trouble, so I've just put the replacement up until I might need it.
The newer 39A's have the "rebounding hammer" and "crossblock safety" that did not come on the older ones, and it seems to be the general consensus on the Marlin owners forum that the earlier ones are "smoother" than the new ones.
I would say "dedicated" 39A's fans prefer the models manufactured prior to the changes in the extractor, hammer, and safety.
I will also say my 1970 Model 39 (pre-changes) is light years "smoother" than the action of my 1996 39A, but as I mentioned in another post I don't think my 39A has been shot much, and I expect the less than smooth action to smooth out with use.
I have read where that is often the case.
I have also read where the ACCURACY of the new 39A's has not been compromised and the new ones maintain the standard of outstanding accuracy that the Marlin 39A's have had the reputation for.
My 1996 is absolutely more accurate than any rimfire rifle I've ever owned or shot and even tho the action is not "glasslike smooth" I wouldn't get rid of it for anything.
If you start shopping around I think you'll find OLDER ones in good condition command almost as much as new ones..
But, I'm just repeating what I read on the various rimfire forums, and I could be mistaken.
I love my 1996 39A so well that I'm always on the hunt for another one. If another one pops up I would prefer one "pre-changes", but I'd buy a newer one in a heartbeat if the price were right.
Hope this helps,
Best Wishes,
Jesse
I don't have a clue as to the quality of the new 39's, and I only have the experience of the two I recently bought.
I would suggest you go to the dedicated Marlin owners forum (www.marlinowners.com) and ask the question there.
I did that, and from what I read from those folks who should know..
The new 39A's have a different extractor than the old ones, and apparently it's not as good as the older ones. You CAN still buy the old extractors (Wisner) and retrofit them to a new 39A if you need to. In fact I bought one with that in mind, but my 1996 isn't having enough problems for me to go to the trouble, so I've just put the replacement up until I might need it.
The newer 39A's have the "rebounding hammer" and "crossblock safety" that did not come on the older ones, and it seems to be the general consensus on the Marlin owners forum that the earlier ones are "smoother" than the new ones.
I would say "dedicated" 39A's fans prefer the models manufactured prior to the changes in the extractor, hammer, and safety.
I will also say my 1970 Model 39 (pre-changes) is light years "smoother" than the action of my 1996 39A, but as I mentioned in another post I don't think my 39A has been shot much, and I expect the less than smooth action to smooth out with use.
I have read where that is often the case.
I have also read where the ACCURACY of the new 39A's has not been compromised and the new ones maintain the standard of outstanding accuracy that the Marlin 39A's have had the reputation for.
My 1996 is absolutely more accurate than any rimfire rifle I've ever owned or shot and even tho the action is not "glasslike smooth" I wouldn't get rid of it for anything.
If you start shopping around I think you'll find OLDER ones in good condition command almost as much as new ones..
But, I'm just repeating what I read on the various rimfire forums, and I could be mistaken.
I love my 1996 39A so well that I'm always on the hunt for another one. If another one pops up I would prefer one "pre-changes", but I'd buy a newer one in a heartbeat if the price were right.
Hope this helps,
Best Wishes,
Jesse
Last edited:
Wayne02
Member
In my opinion, yes, the quality has gone Way downhill.
My wife was kind enough to buy me a new manufactured 39a as a gift a year or two ago. As you all know this is an expensive rifle at $550. She bought the rifle from one of the local gun shops.
While I obviously greatly appreciate such a gift, the fact is this rifle looked and functioned like it was manufactured by a 12 year old. I had to take it back to the gunsmith at the gun shop for work twice, and finally I had to perform work on it myself with the help of the Marlin forum to finally get it running. The second time I brought the rifle back the gunsmith admitted that many of the new Marlins had been problematic. To put it mildly, I'm disgusted with the quality and workmanship of this rifle. The thing has sat in the back of my safe for a year now until I can cool off and use it again, or somehow sell it (though being a gift from wife this is difficult).
I find it ironic that this is so called American quality. The marlin box says, 'proudly made by American craftsman'. If that's the case, it's no wonder American manufacturing has been dwindling over these years.
If you get a new one and it turns out not to work, sign-up on the Marlin forum and those kind folks will help you get it running correctly. Or you can play the 'send it back to the factory' game and hope it works when you finally get it back.
I've been around guns for 40 years now and I realize that an occasional lemon is made, and that right or wrong many guns need tweaking to run optimally. But this poor excuse for manufacturing has really set me off. It is absolutely unacceptable.
Joe in fla
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I have a Marlin '97 (the predecessor of the model 39). Mine was made in about 1912 and the rifling is almost completely gone but it's still accurate and it's one of my favorite shooters. In fact, I like it better than my BLR 22 and 9422. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another if I could find one that didn't have a "collector" price!
I also have a newer rifle, about 6 yrs old. I've had several problems including: 1. Iron sights not on top dead center; 2. Failure to extract fired cases; 3. Rough bore; 4. Misaligned drilled/tapped receiver holes; 5. Misfires; 6. Poor accuracy. I noticed that the crown was very rough.
Item#s I corrected: #2. Honed the extractor angle and filed the barrel slot to better allow extraction; #3. Bore has gotten smoother with use; #4. Made a slot in the one-piece base, so the base could be aligned with the bore. Also, used High-Strength Locktite under the base to prevent shifting; #5. Re-shaped the firing pin nose, which was too blunt and hit high on the rim; #6. Used an 11 degree target crowning tool to improve the crown...just deep enough to make a clean, sharp edge. Accuracy is now excellent.
I didn't dare send the rifle to the factory for repairs due to other people's horror stories and Marlin's admitted lever-action woes in the last few years. Hopefully, they're getting better.
Item#s I corrected: #2. Honed the extractor angle and filed the barrel slot to better allow extraction; #3. Bore has gotten smoother with use; #4. Made a slot in the one-piece base, so the base could be aligned with the bore. Also, used High-Strength Locktite under the base to prevent shifting; #5. Re-shaped the firing pin nose, which was too blunt and hit high on the rim; #6. Used an 11 degree target crowning tool to improve the crown...just deep enough to make a clean, sharp edge. Accuracy is now excellent.
I didn't dare send the rifle to the factory for repairs due to other people's horror stories and Marlin's admitted lever-action woes in the last few years. Hopefully, they're getting better.
vpc
Member
I bought my 39 Golden A over 40 years ago and have never found a harder hitting .22LR . Shooting several times with other guys back then at old cars for back stop,using same box of ammo,the 39A marlin would go through both doors,back then (1970's old cars 1950's & older) Why not the other guns ? I figured it had to be the micro grooves, didn't let as much gas escape and pushed all the way out the barrel.
The same for distance,sighted in at 35-40 yds it seemed to still be on good enough to stick it in a squirrel's ear.
Only problem it weights as much as a M14
Unlike the 10/22 Chief AJ at the back door.I never dreamed .22 ammo would ever be scarce.
Never thought of ever selling the Marlin !!
The same for distance,sighted in at 35-40 yds it seemed to still be on good enough to stick it in a squirrel's ear.
Only problem it weights as much as a M14
Unlike the 10/22 Chief AJ at the back door.I never dreamed .22 ammo would ever be scarce.Never thought of ever selling the Marlin !!
DAdams
Member
My first
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Art Eatman
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The OP's question was answered years ago.
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