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Posted: 8/11/2025 10:19:16 AM EDT
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Is there any preference on marlin 39 22 rifles? Pre, post safety? All 3 operate properly one has nice wood. I think the top one has a marlin marked scope. Attached File Attached File |
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Sell a kidney, buy all of them! I have two of these!!!! Attached File Attached File |
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If somebody tries to kill you... you try to kill them right back!
"You can get more done with a kind word and a gun... than with a kind word alone!" Al Capone
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Pre safety I would think for collectors. Mine is pre safety and before they had the receivers tapped for a scope mount. I’d go with condition and accuracy over other items. If the safety one shoots the best then that’s the one that would make me happiest. I love my old one with Ballard rifling but I know declining eyesight is in my future and a scope wouldn’t be a bad thing. |
The only hyphenated names I like are cartridge names......30-06, 30-40, 38-55 etc.
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Originally Posted By GaryT1776: Here is to hoping Ruger brings out a 39 SBL!!!! And I'm guessing what drawings they did get they threw out. So Ruger has nowhere to even start. |
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Originally Posted By DasRonin: Sell a kidney, buy all of them! I have two of these!!!!   |
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Given the same general condition., the older the better. The last of the series had quality problems and with the push button safety and rebounding hammer it just wasn't acceptable to most people. The pre-war models were the best, as long as they were either a 39-A or a Model 39 with a "HS" serial number prefix. Older Marlin's then that were no good with High Speed ammo... it would cause the bolt to break. Most people consider the Micro-Groove barrels to be more accurate, the claim being the fine grooving did less distortion to the bullet. Some people shooting 39-A's with actual Match grade ammo with a good scope can get 1 inch groups at 100 yards. That's usually due to the longer heavy barrel. Most all Marlin's in good shape shoot exceptional groups. The 39 series are the Cadillac of .22's, and arguably the finest lever action .22 ever made. |
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Try to stay away from the 39AS rifles they have a different hard to find carrier if the one in your rifle screws up. The little plunger in the middle on my carrier had the hole get elongated and had to be replaced. This is a new carrier for the 39AS rifles that I had to buy, around $100. Pic from internet. Great rifle I bought used years ago for $400. I love the rifle, it's one of my favorites. Attached File The rifle in the middle is the 39AS made in 1987 I believe. The AS series started in 1984 and will be stamped 39AS. Attached File |
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I've wanted a Marlin 39 for a while but never bought one, in part at least because AFAIK, they never made what I would consider the ideal configuration... Checked, walnut, pistol grip stock and no barrel band (like the A/AS Model) but with a 20" barrel like the "M" or Mountie model. Bonus points if it has a threaded (rimfire length 1/2x28) barrel. I've been curious to see when/if Ruger is going to bring the 39 back and in what configurations? I assume they will but they've been taking their sweet time with it. |
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Originally Posted By R2point0: My understanding is that the 39 is one of the victims of the Remington buyout. Remington put nothing into the transition and no consideration of the existing workers, so when they showed up to take all the equipment they went into the drawing vault and it was a mess. Plus, some of the drawings said things like "threads to fit model 39 receiver." I.e. all of the knowledge left with the guys they fired. And I'm guessing what drawings they did get they threw out. So Ruger has nowhere to even start. That is disappointing. I would like to complete my "collection" of SBLs. Currently I have the 1894 SBL, 1895 SBL (paid for ... waiting for it to be delivered), am hoping to pick up a 336 SBL by Christmas. That leaves the 39. |
I prefer the older Ballard rifled Model 39s. They are extremely accurate by .22 LR standards and 1 MOA 5 shot groups at 100 yards is achievable with a tang sight on a calm day with match ammunition.  They are also adult sized and weighted and shoot very nicely offhand.  If they have any downsides compared to the Browning BL-22 and the Winchester 9422 it in the long lever stroke, and the bulky forearm. The long lever stroke is lighter than the very short stroke BL-22, but still not as smooth as the 9422. 
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Originally Posted By airgunner: I've wanted a Marlin 39 for a while but never bought one, in part at least because AFAIK, they never made what I would consider the ideal configuration... Checked, walnut, pistol grip stock and no barrel band (like the A/AS Model) but with a 20" barrel like the "M" or Mountie model. Bonus points if it has a threaded (rimfire length 1/2x28) barrel. I've been curious to see when/if Ruger is going to bring the 39 back and in what configurations? I assume they will but they've been taking their sweet time with it. A suppressor and a tube fed mag with the pull up brass sleeves don’t really work well. Now if someone made a rimfire version of the old Henry original captured and locking spring mag tube and disregarded the possibility of that spring mechanism slipping out of your hand and blowing up the rounds in the mag tube…..then you may have something. |
The only hyphenated names I like are cartridge names......30-06, 30-40, 38-55 etc.
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Originally Posted By DakotaFAL: I prefer the older Ballard rifled Model 39s. They are extremely accurate by .22 LR standards and 1 MOA 5 shot groups at 100 yards is achievable with a tang sight on a calm day with match ammunition. https://hosting.photobucket.com/202903ec-b502-4aae-bb75-6c22e3c5e4a5/068ca0f2-af9b-4303-8127-d3c9a925d4f6.heic They are also adult sized and weighted and shoot very nicely offhand. https://hosting.photobucket.com/202903ec-b502-4aae-bb75-6c22e3c5e4a5/ddf046d7-c8f7-4121-a9fe-d315b526610e.heic If they have any downsides compared to the Browning BL-22 and the Winchester 9422 it in the long lever stroke, and the bulky forearm. The long lever stroke is lighter than the very short stroke BL-22, but still not as smooth as the 9422. https://hosting.photobucket.com/202903ec-b502-4aae-bb75-6c22e3c5e4a5/10b66f54-d1d6-419b-919b-361d197a1ea0.jpg @DakotaFAL |
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Originally Posted By DasRonin: Sell a kidney, buy all of them! I have two of these!!!! https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/70257/MARLIN_3_JPG-3604841.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/70257/MARLIN_1_JPG-3604842.JPG First gun I ever bought. Because I was young and dumb a few years later traded it for a Glock and some change. I have since gotten a 39A but still kicking myself for getting rid of my TDS. |
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Originally Posted By GaryT1776: Here is to hoping Ruger brings out a 39 SBL!!!! I already have a 39A, but would buy this in a heartbeat; my sweat is hell on blued finishes. My preference in 39s is long barrel, pistol grip, with fat forward handguard: 
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Originally Posted By jeepnik: Ruger probably figured out that to match Henry's quality they could not compete price wise. Not all of us are focused on price. I'll gladly pay $1200 for a quality rifle but I won't pay $800 for a budget rifle. That said, Ruger tends to prefer the "budget friendly" market. |
On going to war over religion: "You're basically killing each other to see who's got the better imaginary friend." - Richard Jeni
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