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Marlin 39 A

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29 April 2007, 21:29
trophyhunter5000
Marlin 39 A
I’m considering buying a 39 A for next squirrel season and am wondering what experiences others have had with this rifle. I currently own six 22 rifles (two Volquartsen customs, two Ruger 10/22 Targets, one Winchester, and one Henry). I have used the Volquartsens in the past with great success, but I’m always looking to try something new. The 39 looks like a fine rifle, but I have two major concerns. (1) Can the rifle consistently shoot .5†groups at 50 yards with various, high velocity ammo, and (2) can the trigger be lightened (i.e. stoned by a smith).

I know that .5†@ 50 is not always necessary for squirrels, but that is just one of my acid tests for a new squirrel rifle. More important to me (than the accuracy) is the trigger, I find a light trigger pull a necessity for plinking small targets off hand and from field positions……

Thanks for any replies….

Matt V.


______________________
Sometimes there is no spring...
Just the wind that smells fresh before the storm...
30 April 2007, 02:40
Kiwi Vince
Have a look at www.rimfirecentral.com
30 April 2007, 02:41
fla3006
I have owned about a dozen M39s over the last 45 years and it remains my all-time favorite 22. The trigger sear can be easily polished or filed for very light release.


NRA Life Member, Band of Bubbas Charter Member, PGCA, DRSS.
Shoot & hunt with vintage classics.
24 May 2007, 23:43
trophyhunter5000
Just bought my first 39 A yesterday. I have yet to shoot it but if it shoots as well as it's built than I'll be satisfied. I was very impressed with the heft and solid feel of the rifle. It seems to be built to very tight tolerances and the attention to detail really shows. I need to get a scope yet so I'll probably just shoot the irons this weekend....


______________________
Sometimes there is no spring...
Just the wind that smells fresh before the storm...
25 May 2007, 17:39
DMB
The Model 39 is one of the best 22 Rimfire rifles ever built, and the best ever built in a lever action.
I had one in the early 1950's and loved it.

Don




26 May 2007, 07:18
Doc Highwall
They started to make it in 1897 and sometime later called it the 39. I think they shoot as good as a bolt gun. I just bought a 1897CL TO replace my 39 that I sold.
27 May 2007, 06:08
243winxb
quote:
Originally posted by trophyhunter5000:
I’m considering buying a 39 A for next squirrel season and am wondering what experiences others have had with this rifle. I currently own six 22 rifles (two Volquartsen customs, two Ruger 10/22 Targets, one Winchester, and one Henry). I have used the Volquartsens in the past with great success, but I’m always looking to try something new. The 39 looks like a fine rifle, but I have two major concerns. (1) Can the rifle consistently shoot .5†groups at 50 yards with various, high velocity ammo, and (2) can the trigger be lightened (i.e. stoned by a smith).

I know that .5†@ 50 is not always necessary for squirrels, but that is just one of my acid tests for a new squirrel rifle. More important to me (than the accuracy) is the trigger, I find a light trigger pull a necessity for plinking small targets off hand and from field positions……

Thanks for any replies….

Matt V.
The accuracy is good, but some of them will change point of aim/inpact after they sit a while using the same lot number of ammo. This is caused by the forearm wood expanding and contracting.