I bought a Marlin 39A this morning

[AkRay]

I went to the gunshow this morning and went around to the different tables to see what was available. The only other gun that I was considering was a Smith & Wesson 17-6, with a 4" barrel for $475.00 with a pair of combat fingergroove grips, or $400.00 without. I came to a friend of mine's table, and he had just set this one out. It's a 39A, and by the serial number was made in 1952.







The worst flaw is the Social Security number that someone scratched into the side of the receiver, but it isn't really noticeable. It also helped to keep the price in the more reasonable range, and I was feeling more reasonable by the time I saw it. I visited with my friend for a while, then paid him $375.00 for his rifle.

This is the first 39A I've ever owned, and I think it's the first one I've ever shot. I don't think any of my friends or family have ever owned one. 17 rounds of long rifle, and a rimfire length lever throw make for a good combination. I also want to try some shorts in it. I like how the mag tube is in there securely and much more so than the 9422M rifles that I've tried. It's accurate and shootable as is, but with my aging eyes I think I'm going to find a receiver sight for it. Which ones do you fellows recommend?

[2ndovc]

Nice!!

I have one that was made in '57. My favorite .22!

I hope someday they outlaw those electric pencils!!!

jb

[meanc]

Nice!!

I have one that was made in '57. My favorite .22!

jb

This.

The fit and finish of that era is something you very rarely see nowadays.

[Blaine]

The quality and so forth of that era is almost priceless......I would not want a 39 unless it was an older one.

[Tycer]

I have a Lyman 66 on my '53 Mountie.

[1894c]

Williams FP are nice...even a Skinner...nice gun...great find... :)

[Shasta]

That's a very nice 39A, a great buy! One of that vintage and condition would fetch $500+ around here.

Mine was made in 1955 and came with a Redfield receiver sight. I prefer a Marble's tang sight, so I sold the Redfield and installed a Marble's. My rifle is used for Smallbore Cowboy Lever Action Silhouette. Using CCI Standard Velocity ammo, I have achieved an NRA Grand Slam as well as becoming a Master class shooter. The Marlin 39A is a very accurate rifle!

SHASTA

[Dave]

Nice gun! The Williams Foolproof sights are good but made of aluminum. A steel sight would look better on that gun.

[rangerider7]

I have a Lyman on my 1948 Marlin 39A. It works great for me.

[Pete44ru]

I'd normally vote for the Skinner, but since the Skinner uses top mount scope prep holes which weren't a factory-issue in 1952, and I'd hate to D/T it for the Skinner - I'd recommend a Lyman, since the Williams look a bit too modern.

The BEST would be to find an old Redfield (sigh).

.

[AkRay]

I went back to the show yesterday and bought a steel Lyman 66 sight for this rifle. It's handier and more correct than a scope would be, and it matches the rifle very closely. They go together just right.

[2571]

Why do people scribe SS numbers onto their guns? Cop told me that SS# can't be used to identify stolen property anymore and that has been true for a long time.

[quietman]

Gun was made in 1952, who knows when the SSN was scribed. Could have been put on there 40+ years ago.

[getitdone1]

You'll never buy a better gun.

Don

[AkRay]

I've been thinking lately that I should be buying guns that are a little more special, and passing on lesser guns such as Marlin rimfires. That was my view until I actually took it home, and then took it out and shot with it. This is a great 22 rifle, and one that I anticipate carrying and hunting with a lot in the years to come. I almost decided against it because of the number scratched on the side, but that doesn't bother me. It just carries, hefts and shoots so well, especially with the receiver sight that I splurged on. I should have waited, but the opportunity was there so I went for it. I think the Lyman 66 is just icing on the cake. It really completes this package.