Henry Rifle Forums

I've owned a lot of Marlin 39 rifles in my time and, embarrassed to say, have let most of them slip through my fingers when times got hard or when I moved on to other guns. Have always regretted it later, though. This spring, then, we decided to get back into the Marlin 39A thing, one last time. No more selling any Marlin 39 (boss's orders and he loves them, too:)).

Got off to a great start with the 1946 vintage 39A we found, earlier in the spring.


Told Bill, though, we really should find a newer vintage 39A to add to the collection, if for no other reason to limit wear and tear on the old gun. Struck gold, last month, at a small town gunshow with this showroom perfect 1981 vintage marlin 39A. Bluing is actually 100% and not a ding on the stock. Even better, we got the gun at a great price of $550.


All Marlin made 39As are great guns, but, every now and then, if you are lucky, you find one that is just a bit better than most. This '81 vintage 39A is such a gun. Action is tight, but smooth and the trigger, perfect. Figured a 39A this special deserved a nice scope, hence the Leupold Rimfire 2-7x you see on the gun in the pic.

Marlin 39A rifles are predictably accurate. Every one I've had would shoot under 3/4" at 50 yards, even with cheap bulk ammo and most have done better, right around 5/8", some even a touch better. This '81 vintage 39A, though, may just be the most accurate 39A I've shot, yet.

Sight in target


After windage adjustment.


and


And, of course, had to do a little offhand work with the 39, today.


Bill loves this rifle, too. Says it's his rifle, now, so I can't sell it.


Yeah, one sweet Marlin 39A

Two very nice 39A's. The '81 is a very good shooter. The '46 should be decent as most Ballard barrel 39A's were accurate. I may have the period correct sight hood for the '46 some where when I get my room back to normal and get everything sorted out. Don't know if you want the correct one or not. The wide scan looks fine on it. I have Marlin wide scan hoods on my tangent sight CZ's and they make the CZ look so much better to my eye. The factory over size hood on the CZ almost kept me from buying one. Congratulations on being able to score two nice 39A's. That '81 looks like it was just made. Doubt it ever seen the woods.

Nice rifles.

Thanks, guys.

bandit, thanks for the offer. I'm thinking of adding a tang sight to the '46, since it is drilled and tapped. If I do, I'll switch over to a Skinner blade front, so won't be using the hood. Again, though, thanks.

Beautiful rifles, and good shooting, too!

That's some great shooting and two beautiful rifles. Congratulations on getting a special one. That is impressive accuracy for sure.

I'm glad Bill likes them too.

Very nice rifle and great targets too.

You know I drool a little every time you post pictures of your 39's.

Your 39A's look great, NCG.

A friend of mine is in the process of selling his, and my mind is doing a "should I - shouldn't I" flip flop about buying it. If I could just go out and buy it, it would be a no contest, but unfortunately things are not that simple over here.

Les, have to say, I admire you folks for staying in the shooting spots, despite all the regulations. If you're ever on this side of the pond, be glad to let you shoot the 39.

North Country Gal wrote:Les, have to say, I admire you folks for staying in the shooting spots, despite all the regulations. If you're ever on this side of the pond, be glad to let you shoot the 39.

Thank you - hopefully I'll be able to take you up on that offer some day.