OJ
I noticed that gunparts has breech bolts available for the later models. I believe that one of these could be fitted by a gunsmith that knew what he was doing and did not talk himself out of it before he started. The other possibility is to mill one out of bar stock. I know it can be done because I did it once. I don't know that I would want to do it again. In any event I would talk to Marlin first and see if they would help you. I just checked my supplier and they are still making the 39A. Whatever you do don't crush your son with this. The gun is repairable. Good luck
Jerry

I have a huge problem. Eight years ago, my father-in-law bought a Marlin M-39 with a 4-digit serial number. His first grandson -- my son -- was in diapers at the time. A few weeks ago, he gave it to my son on his ninth birthday.

The rifle is clean and properly lubricated, but at the range today it fed poorly, and many times we got light firing pin strikes that resulted in failures to fire. Tonight I took it apart and found what may be the issue. Looking at the bolt from the top, I see a thin rail on the left of the firing pin recess. This rail is cracked all the way through.

I know nothing about lever guns, especially those built before World War II. More than anything, I do not want to have to tell my son that his first rifle is a wall-hanger after three weeks of use.

Is this cracked rail causing the problems? Is it possible to replace the bolt? If so, where would we find one? If not, what will it take to fix it? Can anyone out there recommend a smith to do the work? (Hamilton Bowen leaps to mind as one of the few who could handle a chore of this delicacy.)

My son does not know about this yet, and I'm gonna have a very sad little guy on my hands if I can't pull something out of the air pretty fast. Thanks in advance, Okie John.

I think I would call Marlin. You probably could send it
back to them and have it properly fixed.
Just a phone call to check it out.
Lyle

Check their website.

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/

A Marlin 39, 39A or 1897 should NEVER be used without shooting glasses. If a case head bursts, there is a straight track back along the firing pin channel to the shooter's eye. The 1932 modification only strengthened the locking lug, it did nothing about gas handling. Some years ago, on behalf of a boy who lost an eye shooting a 39A, I sued Marlin and Western (the ammo makers) in NY Federal District Court and won the case. HP White laboratory found that (1) the ammo was overpressured and (2) that the corner of the extractor groove had been beveled in such a way as not to support the head of the case, which burst, and gas and brass blew back along the firing pin channel into the shooter's eye. When HiSpeed .22 ammo came out circa 1932, Colt recessed revolver cylinders, Springfield put a knob on the end of the M1922 firing pin, etc., to handle gas, but Marlin did not change its old gas handling system and I do not think it has done so to this day. It would be easy enough to enlarge the rear end of the firing pin or put a shoulder on it to deflect gas. Of course .22 ammo is so well made now that a burst case is very unlikely. But why take chances - wear glasses.

I will look tommorrow if I get enough time, I think I might have one. Duane