Why get a Marlin 39A?

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Because it is worth more than the Henry and will continue to increase in value. The Henry is a wonderful rifle but it is a Dodge and the Marlin is a Silverado. If you get my drift.
 
When I bought my Marlin 39 in the early '90s, Henry wasn't around as we know it now. The options for a new .22 lever gun in my LGS were the Marlin, a Browning, and a Winchester. It was closer to apples to apples in that store back then as far as pricing.

Since I was in my 20s at the time I purchased my Marlin, I would have probably bought the Henry had it been available just on price alone.

I've fired the Henry .22 mag lever gun and it is a satisfying shooter. I would have been happy with it back in the day for sure.

That said, I do love my 39 and I feel lucky to own one. It is definitely an heirloom quality firearm. :cool:
 
Serious question
Other than teaching newbies to shoot, what do adults do to have a good time with a 22 lever action?

Although I like my Henry, I get tired of shooting it at paper after a couple of tubes of ammo.
 
I had more fun when I didn't punch paper at a range with my 39. Years ago, I lived within walking distance of land to shoot on. Me and my friends would plink against cans and the usual bounce around targets.

The most fun for me is to shoot a lever gun fast at cans. If the cans are close enough, you can hit 'em before they stop moving from the previous shot.

My favorite paper punchers are bolt action rifles. Working a lever gun on a bench sometimes just isn't a natural move compared to cycling a bolt.
 
bushmaster1313 said:
Serious question
Other than teaching newbies to shoot, what do adults do to have a good time with a 22 lever action?
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what do they do to have a good time with any gun? Shoot paper, shoot cans, shoot animals. My Marlin Golden 39A Mountie is my go to small game gun.
 
silhouette

If there are lever action silhouette matches in your area, the 39A is the standard smallbore gun - at least 80% of the shooters will be using one, and the match winner will almost always be using one.
 
Squirrreelll Huntin man! I hate chewing shot!

I always hunted squirrel with .22 sometimes using shorts even.
The shorts,longs,and long rifle do great job on em. Dont tear em up either.

Make sure if you go short to zero in your scope with them or practice if you go iron sights...and all that is a lot of fun too. :)

Also good learning experience too. Teaching back drop etc. teach em to look beyond the target for safe shooting!
 
Why do people buy a Marlin 39A for twice as much as the Henry?
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Some people prefer the all steel and wood construction of the Marlin.

Some people prefer the design of the Marlin 39

Some people prefer the availability of aperture sights for the 39


Nothing wrong per say with a Henry (and the company backs their guns very, very well), but the Henry is a cheaper gun to produce and it's got some cheaper parts. It's made to a price point.
 
For a used gun price, Marlin 39's are a very good deal and value for an all steel and hardwood gun. They are highly accurate, easy to maintain and parts are avail almost anywhere gun parts are sold. They are also a very safe gun to shoot for anyone, kids, dad, mom etc.. I bought mine in 2002 for $125 used out of a local classified ad. It is as good as new, even with all the dirty & cheap ammo put through it. It will feed anything S-L-LR and crimped shot shells, CB's, Colibri etc without fail. I have had a lot of issues with the one Henry I have. The 39 is flawless function wise for us.
 
Hello all,
Serious question
Other than teaching newbies to shoot, what do adults do to have a good time with a 22 lever action?

Although I like my Henry, I get tired of shooting it at paper after a couple of tubes of ammo.
That from Bushmaster 1313
__________________

What my friends and I do is we find empty shotgun shell at the range and set golf balls on top of them and then try to either shoot the balls off of the shells or shoot the shell out from under the balls.
You can start out close but then back up as your skills get better.:D
 
take your empty 22lr cases put them on the tips of a bush (low to the ground) and shoot the shells out of the bush...move back as skill improves. This is difficult at first but you'll be hitting them regularly with practice.
 
I use my wife's 39A to trim the little hairs that stick up after my pet gnat "Arlo" gets a buzz cut..
It's all fun just keep shooting your 22
Wyomo
 
bushmaster1313 said:
What is the market for a Marlin 39A.
A few years ago I bought a Henry 22 lever to teach my kids to shoot.
Why do people buy a Marlin 39A for twice as much as the Henry?
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Many though not all would agree that the extra weight and size of the 39a adds stability, especially when shooting off hand. Out of the box, here's a few advantages of the 39a over the henry H001 (some are functional, others are cosmetic):

  • As mentioned weight & size (6.5 lb. 40 in.)
  • Heavy barrel (heaviest barrel on any .22 lever gun)
  • 24 in. barrel length (shoots quieter, and has a longer sight radius for enhanced accuracy)
  • Longer magazine (19 rounds .22LR)
  • Sling swivel studs installed
  • Rubber butt pad (for better shouldering)
  • Contoured pistol grip (functional as well as cosmetic)
  • Checkering on pistol grip and forend
  • Blued as opposed to painted receiver (no flaking)
  • Single screw take down (simple, and well tested for over 100 years)
I'm sure I left a thing or two out. Unlike many lever guns, the action on a 39a is made of forged steel. No brass or polymer parts. Only gets better with use. It should last several lifetimes without needing to be reconditioned. Sometimes they can feel a bit stiff right out of the box. I've known people to sit in front of the tv working the action over several hours just to get their new 39a broken in.

For youngsters, I suppose the smaller size of the Henry would be more appropriate. In general, as far as .22 lever rifles go, the Henry H001 is an excellent rifle for the money. But the 39A is in a league of its own!

Both make excellent small game hunters.
 
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Because some folks prefer that their leverguns to be constructed of blued steel, rather than potmetal and plastic, and they're willing to pay extra for it. I prefer the Winchester 94/22 over all others because it is a more finely made rifle, all milled steel, smooth as butter on glass and has no plastic parts on it anywhere. If Winchester had made their centerfires like the 94/22, they would still be in business. Or at least I'd own half a dozen or more late model 94's.
 
The Henry's shoot well enough for now, but your grand kids will be cussing you later.
 
jmr40 said:
...but your grand kids will be cussing you later.
Click to expand...

Because they will want an AR.
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The right question to ask is why wouldn't you get a Marlin 39A? A box of .22LR without the 39A is like a bowl of corn flakes without the milk.
 
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I got my 39A around 1985.
Found out I can't stand lever guns.
Stuck it in the basement for 20 years.
Moved to florida
Took it out and shot it.
Found out I still don't like lever guns.

AFS
 
I got my '47 39A on my 9th birthday, been carrying it around in the woods for 44 years.
016-2.gif
The tang sight is new, this year's Christmas gift from my wife, got to get it out to try it.
It's taken countless squirrels, rabbits and groundhogs. As kid's, we had a great time plinking at whatever we had to shoot at, and the old Marlin was always on the target.
I bought a 2008 recently, it's a fine shooter as well.
 
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