Are there many folks here who own and shoot the early Marlin lever action .22's? I'm talking about the old 1891, 1892, 1897, and 39 models. I never see anyone at my home range shooting these guns. Just curious if I'm the only one still shooting these oldtimers?
Antiue Marlins and single shot rifles! NRA Life OAC Member HAMF Member
The main reason I quit shooting my old 22's is because longs are hard to get in this part of the world. Well, that and I really like shooting 444 & 45-70. I try to stay in shape with my BHP, too. I only take 3 guns to the range at one time anymore and the old 22's just haven't been making it into the hard case for the trip. SW
Darkness is all around us and enemy are just beyond the perimeter.
All my Marlins will shoot .22 LR ammo. Atre you sticking with .22 Longs because of th lower velocity? I shoot either standard velocity, or Target velocity amo, so they'll keep on shooting, without excess pressures.
Antiue Marlins and single shot rifles! NRA Life OAC Member HAMF Member
Yeah, I have always used longs for the lower velocities/pressures. I don't doubt the sub-sonic stuff is low pressure, but I get set in my ways about something now & then. SW
Darkness is all around us and enemy are just beyond the perimeter.
Are there many folks here who own and shoot the early Marlin lever action .22's? I'm talking about the old 1891, 1892, 1897, and 39 models. I never see anyone at my home range shooting these guns. Just curious if I'm the only one still shooting these oldtimers?
I'd really LIKE to shoot my little Marlin '92.
Wish I could find a good supply of .32 Rimfire ammo. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/help.gif" alt="" />
A supply of 32RF ammo would be nice. And 25rf. And 30rf. Pretty inconsiderate of these people to make the guns & then let the ammo makers drop the stuff! SW
Darkness is all around us and enemy are just beyond the perimeter.
I've had my Golden 39A Mountie since I bought it new at Dawson's Small Arms of The World in Annandale, Virginia in December of 1966. It's a great little rifle. Thanks...Bill.
I COLLECT MOSTLY 1893's BUT I'M IN THE THE MOOD FOR A NICE ORIGINAL 39. I CAN'T SEEM TO FIND ONE FOR UNDER A GRAND ANYWHERE. I THINK EVEN THE NEWER 39's (I HAVE ONE FROM 1973) HAVE THE SMOOTHEST ACTIONS OF ANY BRAND. ANYONE HAVE A NICE ORIGIANL FOR SALE?
It may not be quit as old as the 189something stuff, but I think the best 'older' marlin .22 lever is the levermatic. That short lever throw does it for me, and the 57's and 57M's I shoot tend to put 40 grains where ever I want it. Two weeks ago I shot a pot-load of pd using a 57M topped with a Brunton 4-power scope. Most of the shots were 60 to 150 yards. Steve
just looked up the serial on my '97. Made in 1904, yousa'! Shot the heck outta' it when I was a kid. I'm in bad need of a buttstock and I think the ejector is busted. Anyone know a good parts place?
"Death ain't nothin' but a speckled pony, that ain't never been rode"
After you get it fixed, use only regular velocity ammo, not the hot stuff. And wear eye protection when shooting any lever action where the end of the firing pin sticks out the back.
TY vigill, sounds like good advice. Are you saying LR's might be a bit much?..or are you referring to "mini'mags" 'n such? Now you have me concerned <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />, I was thinking of passing it down to the grandson as his next "upgrade" in weapons. But maybe I'd be better off making a wall-hanger outta' it.
"Death ain't nothin' but a speckled pony, that ain't never been rode"
The original hi speed .22 LR which came out in 1932 was too hot for the 39 at the time so the locking area under the bolt was beefed up. The older 92 and 1897 of course were what they were and could not be modified. However strengthening the lockup did not improve the gas handling and if there is a popped case the gas will come right back along the firing pin into the shooters eye. The current superspeedy ammo is also unsuitable for an older gun. On a prewar 39, the prefix HS before the serial number means it has the stronger bolt.
coondog, I've been engaged in a project 39A for about a year. It was given to me in a "basket". Its story is that it sat on a hunt cabin porch for 30 years. The buttstock was so swelled that it was only useful for grinding down into a pattern. The forearm was replaced also from the same piece of walnut with the nice fiddleback. There was a lot of pitting on the outer surfaces of the barrel and receiver so rebluing was not an option. I used Dura-Coat semigloss black and sanded down first application to fill in the majority of the pitting. The buttplate is from an 1893 and along with the forearm cap, is polished. I was able to find replacement screws, a trigger and a guide spring from www.e-gunparts.com. After my first trip to the range with it, I found out why it might have rotted on that porch. The barrel was bent and the point of impact was 3 inches left at 25 yards. I have made an adjustment but have not fired it yet. See attachment. Nathan
I regularly shoot my M/39 (S/N HS7xx). Great little rifle that I picked up about 4-5 years ago for $300-didn't know anything about Marlins, just liked the little gun. Was going to sell it for $350 about two years ago--until I saw what the M/39 was selling for!!! Developed a new appreciation for the piece after that.
I don't know if this is old enough for your thread but I just picked up a 1957 39A in beautiful condition for $ 375 and it is the sweetest little gun. It makes for a fun time in the woods along with my S & W Model 17-3 .22LR. These guns will never be sold.
