Old 39a gets some tlc

[Plastikosmd]

i got this one as a basket case. It had ftf issues. (I can't remember the forum I picked it up on, so if here-works well now= well spent 200$?)


At some point a new front sight was added

Kicking around in my parts I found a few peep sights. Drill holes already there.

I don't mind the finish issues. It is nice to have a 22 that u don't mind getting kicked around. I am just on the hunt for a buttplate. Or maybe I will fab something up

[Four-Sixty]

My Dad returned his to service after my frustrated Mom threw away some parts he left out too long during a cleaning. He finally shot it after about 10 years when I found a gun smith who could fit the replacement bolt for him. He was making bulls-eyes from the get go.

[Wayne Smith]

$200! Yeah, you stole it! I would have paid that at the drop of a hat, even with problems. Never had one and pined for one for years. Now all my money's going into a flintlock. The other gun I wanted since childhood I got years ago at a pawn shop in Lynchburg - my H&R 999 Sportsman.

[richhodg66]

I had always wanted a 39A, the money, opportunity and esire never seemed to all come together at once til a few years ago and I spent the $400 asking price. Love at first sight. Never have put in on a bench to see just what it'll do, but man is that thing fun to shoot golf balls on a 25 yard berm with. The finish on mine is good and I have work horse .22 rifles so it'll stay a range toy, but I sure think you got a good deal for $200.

[smkummer]

I would have to believe that Williams sight makes it a joy to sight in on a target. A buttplate should be easy.

[Plastikosmd]

It is a joy. I hate to admit it but it is easier to acquire and target than my standard sighted 9422 (my baby)

[gnoahhh]

Even a Cadillac with a few rust spots and dents is still a Cadillac, and the 39A was/is the Cadillac of .22 leverguns. Best $200 I ever saw a man spend!

[Petrol & Powder]

First gun I ever shot was a 39A.

Great rifles.

[Bazoo]

Sounds like a nice story, and a good deal.

[shoot-n-lead]

That is a worthy candidate for some TLC.

I am a Winchester lever guy, I have multiple Marlins, also....just prefer the Winchesters...but, my favorite .22 is my Model 39...GREAT little gun.

[Bazoo]

Just imagine how many mouths it fed during hard times.

[Denver]

From the pics, it appears to have the shorter 20 inch barrel used on the Marlin "Mountie". Also if it is the shorter barrel with the pistol grip stock, curved lever and lower tang, I believe it is a rather rare issue, assuming all is factory original. If you're having trouble with misfires, it could be because of too much dry firing causing the chamber mouth to be peened to where the firing pin isn't getting a good hit on the rim. One of the Marlins I have was in about the same condition as yours when I bought it and had FTF issues. I took it to a local smith who bored out and relined/rechambered it. Goes bang every time now. Yours looks like a great project gun. Have fun with it.

[ajjohns]

Oh man, what a perfect rimfire "working" rifle. Nice, plain nice.

[Jackpine]

Great find. Rear sight should work great, especially with the large aperture that you have on it.

I wouldn't be surprised if it had lived for many years in a chicken house or barn and logged many miles (or acres) in a pickup or on a tractor.

[Plastikosmd]

Thx! It shoots like a dream. It is my go-to woods gun

[firebyprolong]

I picked up a 39a that could be its twin a couple of months ago for a little bit less cash. It was grunge covered and beat up but love at first sight. I think I've only wanted one since I was 8 or so. Just could never afford one. A little tlc and a serious amount of elbow grease revealed a fairly nice rifle under all the dirt.
They are a lot smaller rifle than I remember. A 6"1 300 lb man looks a little silly shooting one. Well that and my big smile kinda makes look even more odd. I think I put 1K rounds through that little rifle the first week I owned it. Have fun with yours they really are fun little guns.

[starmac]

I always wanted a 39, just didn't want to part with the bucks they were bringing.
I hauled a load to a little town in Nevada a few years ago and got there the evening before I could unload, so parked at a casino (wife loves the slots). Anyway, just a block or so before we got to the casino, there was a store with a going out of business sign, even the shelving was for sale. Here is where you will get a laugh, the store was a HEAD shop, which I had no clue what was, nor did the wife, so we decided to walk down there and see what they had. lol

After taking a couple of steps inside I could tell right off that there would be exactly nothing in this store that I would carry out if it was free. lol I made the round and was headed back to the door when there on a counter layed an open hard case with mint 39a and an old box of 50 rounds. I ask the airhead clerk if it was for sale too, and her reply was she didn't know, but it belonged to theguy that was taking down the shelves in the back, so I went back and ask him. His answer was an enthusiastic yes, but when I ask how much he said he didn't have a clue, that he intended to take it to the gunshop the next morning (Monday) and find out what it should be worth.
He told me to stop back in the next day and he would sell it. I explained that I would be leaving early the next morning and would not be headed back this way. We talked for several minutes with no change, so I left, he followed me outside and down the side walk still asking me to come back the next day, and mentioned several times that he had no clue what it was worth. I finally told him I didn't either but I had a hundred dollar bill I would give right now. lol

That is why I have a 39a that my son will inherit some day. lol

[nagantguy]

Nice work; thanks for sharing and putting an old plinker back in action.
Seems like those have been climbing in price the last few years ; people getting nostalgic for them I was at a gun show last year and saw a few in the 350-400 dollars range; but one fella, you all know "that guy" he had 1100 on his he was "trying" to sell! He didn't even claim it belonged to General Patton or that it was gold plated or anything he was just real proud of it I guess.

[osteodoc08]

I'd buy all I could at 350-400.

I was happy to get my BL-22 for the price I paid, which is fuzzy at the moment but was sub $300 I know.

[pietro]

From the pics, it appears to have the shorter 20 inch barrel used on the Marlin "Mountie".

Also if it is the shorter barrel with the pistol grip stock, curved lever and lower tang, I believe it is a rather rare issue, assuming all is factory original.

The pistol-gripped version of the Model 39M Mountie was the Model 39D, made from 1971-73.


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