As regular readers have probably deduced, I am a huge fan of rimfire rifles. We have covered a number of 22LR firearms already here at Northern Rifle. To this point, we have focused on the two most common action types – bolt actions such as the Savage Mark II and semi-automatics like the Ruger 10/22 and the Marlin 795. That omits a timeless style of rimfire rifle that predates both – the lever action. Fortunately, thanks to a friend letting me take out a family heirloom we get to take a look at the Marlin 39M.
History
The Marlin 39 carries the distinction of being the longest consecutively produced shoulder fired firearm. This is because the design is largely unchanged from the original Marlin Model 1891. Since then the 39A has stayed in production in one form or another until Remington/Marlin’s bankruptcy several years ago. It remains to be seen if the new owner Ruger will bring back the Marlin 39. For reference, the first commercial smokeless powder cartridge wasn’t introduced until the 30-30 came along in 1895. A black powder firearm that is still relevant today is an incredible accomplishment.
The historical significance of the Marlin 39A isn’t only due to it’s longevity. Annie Oakley, famed sharpshooter of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show, utilized a Marlin 39A as her rifle of choice in her acts. The fast handling, light recoil, and good accuracy allowed her to execute feats of accuracy.
Specifications
The Marlin 39 series is a lever action rifle chambered in 22 S/L/LR. The feature set of the rifle was far ahead of it’s time. For one, the rifle takes down easily with a large screw on the right hand side of the receiver. Additionally, the side eject design allows for easy mounting of an optic. The rifle is fed from a tubular magazine under the barrel which holds 19 22LR shells when fully loaded. For even more close range fun the gun can hold a whopping 26 22 Shorts.
The manual of arms is similar to any classic lever action. The safety is a half cock position on the hammer, although the new ones unfortunately sport a cross-bolt safety. Sights are standard buckhorns common on lever actions. The sights are mount to the 24-inch barrel and the rifle tips the scales at 6.5 lbs.
Strengths
The biggest strength for the Marlin 39A is mostly intangible. There are some designs that balance exceptionally well in the hand. A popular example is the Winchester 94, and I would include the Lee Enfield in this category. The Marlin 39A is one such design. It comes to the shoulder and points naturally on target, especially offhand.
Next, the Marlin is very fast-handling. The short throw of the lever makes it easy to run the rifle fast off the shoulder while maintaining a sight picture. Combine this with the ample magazine capacity and the steel and pop cans in the gravel pit never stood a chance. With a little practice this rimfire carbine can throw lead down range nearly as fast as a semi-automatic.
Also, due to the flat top design the Marlin is easy to mount an optic on. Some lever action designs like the Winchester 94 eject from the top. This can make mounting optics challenging. With the Marlin 39a mounting a scope is as simple as with standard bolt action designs.
Finally, the Marlin was super reliable. There were no malfunctions and the primer strikes on the spent casings were aggressive. Unlike many rimfires, there were no struggles with extractions, even when pulling an unfired cartridge from the chamber.
Weaknesses
However, the Marlin 39A still has a few aspects that might make it a poor choice for certain shooters. Keep in mind that I am examining minutiae – in general the rifle is excellent. With that clarified, there are a few details that bear mention.
First of all, the trigger is fairly heavy, likely around 6 lbs or so. The rifle has a crisp trigger which helps mitigate the weight. However, if your goal is a bench or precision rifle you are better off with some flavour of bolt-action or dumping 2 grand and building your ultimate 10/22.
Second, the manual of arms is not as inherently safe as some of the more modern designs. The rifle hails from an era where Annie Oakley would shoot cigarettes out of her husbands mouth; firearms safety has come a long way. This isn’t an issue with an experienced shooter, but new shooters will need supervision at first. This is because extra care needs to be take to keep you hands free of the muzzle while loading the tube. Additionally, I have seen new shooters struggle to understand the half cock safety system compared to a cross-bolt.
Competition
There are a few other competitive options for lever action 22lr rimfires. If I were in the market for a rimfire lever gun I would consider the Winchester 9422’s, Browning BL22, and the Henry 22 options. All of these lever actions have good reputations for quality and the choice is largely personal preference and aesthetics. Personally, I prefer the history and the takedown ability of the Marlin 39A but you really can’t go wrong with any of these rifles.
Closing Thoughts
In closing, the Marlin 39 series is a storied rifle that is still an excellent choice today. While not a target gun, the Marlin has excellent handling characteristics. For recreational target practice, plinking, and small-game hunting one would be hard-pressed to find a better rifle. For those looking for a cheap to shoot rifle with beautiful lines and bona fide panache, take a hard look at the Marlin 39A.