I've heard of the magnum Marlin but never seen one.
I'm sure they're pretty rare. Anyone know how they shoot?
I owned one in the late 1980s. With irons or a scope it shot no better than average m9422M. Pretty much a 2 moa gun( thats 1inch at 50 yards) like most 22 magnums:)
And like the m39s I have owned ,working the action feels like dragging a sled over a pile of rocks compared to an m94/22. Or a Henry for that matter.
Even the action on my 118 year old model 1897 is not as smooth as a m94/22.
any tricks for cleaning up the 39 action?
I have one and thats my only gripe. I love my 39 and cant compare to a Winchester so my vote is Marlin.
Growing up... the only person I know who had a wichester was the rich dentist kid.
Well, I darned sure wasn't a rich kid..:)
I saved up $200 to buy my first .22 and even though I wss sure it would be a lever action, it was sort of an agonizing choice.. The History of the Marlin 39 going back to Annie Oakley's M1891 or the relatively "new" Winchester m94/22...
As to slicking up a m39 action , yeah I guess someone who knows what they are doing could stone and debur some of the parts inside the gun without making it unsafe or unreliable. However-the point of my comment above was a lot of it is LL Hepburn's basic design..I mean Jeezus- if 118 years of hard use won't smooth up an action -nothing will!
My '97 had the crap used out of it before I got it. The bore was completelty shot out and yet it is complete and functions like a new rifle. Even the wood is still sound-no cracks. So, the old gal is currently being torn down and will be sent out to one of the best barrel men in the US for a top notch reline job. I am really looking forward to shooting it once it's done:)
