And about a year after this video that entry level base price Marlin Golden 39A from their custom shop jumped to $3495.00 . AND UP. True American craftsmen are getting rarer than an honest politician .
Just gave my 1951 Peanut to my son who is expecting his first baby...a boy! It was my father;s rifle and I reluctantly passed it on down another generation....for the love of a son...and grandson!!!
I hope this comment finds you well!!! I just had to laugh that, as I was snoozing this morning, I was wrapped up in a Hudson Bay Point Blanket with my 1967 Marlin 39A leaning in the doorway of my closet just a few feet away while this video played. Nothing but the good stuff! Thank you for this video, too. I learned a few things.
I have a pre-war 39A, very well made. Mine is color cased. One thing I noticed is that there is no trace of the lever hinge screw showing on the receiver leading me to believe that the hole inside the receiver was blind drilled and tapped, something that must have involved more precision machining. The rifle is in excellent condition. I bought it in the last year, paying $1500, a lot, but given what Marlin wants for their new ones perhaps not so much.
Last thing I want to hear is that in this day and age is that plastic is king and if you want something old, well built, and RELIABLE, you have to bust into the retirement fund. As you said, I'm glad I have what I have. Get while the gittins good before you're got.
I just purchased one, about a year ago I left my name and number at a local pawnshop here in town, asked them if they ever got one in to call me. I paid $599 for it it's all original and absolutely beautiful.
You would think that all those fancy computer powered cnc machines would be able to produce quality stuff guess there is no replacement for a experienced man with a good machine no matter what
Pretty sad here in the USA we with all the technology we have remington can't put out qaulity any more . No more pride in our work and products just make dollar faster and cheaper.
Your video today inspired me to buy a 39a I won it on gunbroker for $225.00 I'm sure it's going to need all sorts of refurbishing but to me that is the best part .thank you for the great videos.
It's crazy that in the age of CNC machining that Remington couldn't make a rifle that precise... but from the quality of workmanship I from Remington's in the last couple decades, I have to concur that you're almost certainly right.
I have a a couple factory engraved Marlin 39a rifles.. I have both a " Mountie " and a " Golden " . I've had them for years and haven't actually fired either of them. I've no idea why but I just never have.
I have a 39a Mountie K-Prefix (1953) first year for the Mountie only (4335) built with a 24" barrel, And a (1978) Golden 39a That I will pass on to my kids. They are two of my favorite rifles. As for me Marlin is dead, They just have not berried them yet.
Sad state of affairs when Japan is the only location that can create a proper levergun. I'm just glad I got most all the old Marlin and Winchesters I wanted before they were difficult or impossible to get.
Not true that we cannot do it. There are even water jet tooling machines capable of making nano gears by shooting tiny jets of extremely high pressure water. We can do it, we choose not to! The Henry Golden Boy is a very close second in quality and accuracy. Very reasonable prices due to a simplified design.
I've got an S-prefix 39,color case receiver, 4 digit serial number, ☆ model, octagon barrel, still as tight as she was new. Mostly feed it .22 shorts, but it loves standard velocity and target ammo in .22lr.
Just took my 1982(got to it before the lawyers did) 39a to the range this morning. I own all the scary “assault rifles” and the marlin lever gun comes out of the safe the most. Cranking that lever is the most satisfying sound I’ve heard.
@@Fly4aWhiteGuy He's talking about the fact that Marlin (and honestly just about everybody) added a safety to it where none was needed. The crossbolt safety.
Managed to get a new extractor for mine. 39a parts are getting hard to come by already. Yes, if you own one it is the .22 you can't help but take out of the safe. One satisfying shooter and a feeling you just don't get from other .22's. Every Marlin I own is a tack driver.
EXACTLY what i do. Love the impact sound being louder than the report. Popping water balloons is a smile and a giggle per shot. Mine's a 39s (1925-'32).
I have one that was my Grandfather’s. Probably a 40’s or 50’s vintage. Will NEVER sell it for any price. I do believe there are many US machine shops that can make them precisely as the older ones were but it just costs too much. I bought a Henry Golden Boy to shoot instead and love it too. Tried to get the Marlin 39A but they won’t respond to e-mail or phone messages (this was way before the pandemic).
I too saw on the Marlin site that the 39A was only listed as a custom shop item. Never thought that they might be leftovers that they are "reconditioning". I bought a 1895 LE a few years ago. At first glance it was a beautiful rifle then I noticed a small nick in the fore end and I thought for a Limited Edition it should have been perfect. I shoot mine but I bet a lot of folks might be just looking at theirs. No special collectors value in my opinion. I bought it for the pistol grip and 24" barrel. Since I shoot midrange steel matches I had mine drilled and tapped for a vernier sight and when I replaced the front sight with a globe it sure looked like you said. A painted on high gloss blue finish. Had to shim the MVA front just to get it to hold and still am not sure it will. Dovetail cut is a little big. Maybe thats to accommodate all that paint.
I have a 1892 Marlin 39 .22 cal. octagon barrel and a Marlin Golden 39A .22 cal as well. I like them both but the 92 is an amazing tack driver! But don't run High velocity through them. The bolt wont take it. I do run CCI Mini Mag through then 39A with no problems so far. You are right the machining is amazing! I like them as much as my early Savage 99 in 300. SAV. I am a new subscriber. I live off grid in the Pacific North Wet. I really enjoy your channel!
Oh man...that's a tough one! I've got a '67 Golden 39A Mountie, and my dad has a BL22. On the basis of resale value the Marlin is the clear winner, and for sure it's one amazing firearm that I hope to keep forever. But on the basis of fun and how the rifle handles and shoots, man I just don't know!! Those are BOTH incredible designs, and I could take either one and fill the freezer with small game and shoot all day with my kids and friends.
I own a 1954 39A (given to me in 1957 by my father) and will never part with it. Never been shopped for any problem and still a quarter size shot group at 50yds. Let's see if Ruger can bring it back? PS, wear my western hat at the range!
It's not a myth.. a myth is a made up fact.. ok but let's see the machine work, show it, of a new rifle.. I've been a machinist since 1977 and I've seen dozens of 39a's apart. I can machine that reciever.. I don't see a problem. Custom shop should be about double so a fair price would be about $1500, and by gingo it would be worth it.
Bought the "mountie" model a little while back for a real good price. Dont think ill ever sell it. Recently saw a listing for the 39a for 1200$.. even that's a bit pricey. You've got a keeper
I purchased my 39A in 1979 as a HS graduation present to myself. $185.00 cold hard cash. I’ve taken countless squirrels, rabbits, blackbirds and groundhogs with it for almost 45 years. It shoots dime size groups off the bench with the right ammo at fifty yard with a 4 power scope on top. Yes a scope ruins the looks but it’s needed for these old eyes that require trifocals. One day a son will inherit it…
Incredible! 3 grand for gun! Sad state of affairs. I have a 1972 39D which I will be passing down through my family for generations to come. Fine rifle indeed.
I feel like the blueing is not even nice on new rifles anymore. My old Marlin and Remington’s are Beautiful. Ever see a Colt Python. It looks wet. Gorgeous! Vic
Hi LC. I owned a 39a years ago and foolishly traded it. I still have the factory scope base for it (round bbl) and will send it to you should you be interested. Just let me know how to get it to you.
My grandfather used to have one of these rifles, I remember it had a sticker tag underneath the stock with the final inspectors signature on it.. be hard to see that on weapons or anything like that anymore nowadays.
I have my grandpa's 39A. Its double stamped. The only thing I have of his, except his name. Just order a shell ejector. Idk the last time it was fire. It had a squib round in the barrel when my uncle gabe it to me.
Remington bought Marlin . That included the factory and all the tooling. As well as all the engineering information.Why if they have a The machine tools they could produce the 39A just as good as the original. If they wanted to make a better 39A new CNC machining is more precise than any human could ever be
Machinists always get their feelings hurt when somebody says computer are more precise than humans even though it’s true. The point I was trying to make was that Remington could produce a product today at quality levels higher than those of the past if they wanted to. It’s as shame that companies now cut corners to save costs and that results in a low quality product. But they are forced by the buying public to produce rifles at low cost or they won’t sell. It’s hard to manufacture a lever gun cheap enough to complete with the low cost poor quality plastic stock guns.
@@mattmills5145 Making something on a CNC machining centre isn't like sending a PDF to the printer. There's a metric fuckton of complexities involved, even if you do have a fully dimensioned and toleranced drawing, and a lot of designs (like a Marlin rifle) just aren't suitable for standard tooling and machines. These rifles were developed in the 19th century when manufacturing methods were just plain alien to what you'd get in even a decent hobby workshop today. The designs reflect was was available in the 1890s, not the 20teens. When Remington bought out Marlin it turned out that not everything was actually documented and a lot of the old tooling and machines were plain used up, worn out. Semi-skilled machine operators in rifle factories aren't machinists -- they don't take a hunk of steel and a blueprint and pass the foreman a fully made part. They stand in front of a machine that's been setup, modified or built from the ground up to do one job well. They take the partially machined part from the trolley, put it in their machine, perform the operation or sequence of operations that machine is designed to do, and pass it along to the next operator who performs the next operation. This is what Marlin was in 2007. Then Remington had to take apart a 100+year old factory, move hundreds of purpose-built machines that were never intended to be moved across the country, set them up again with little or no documentation or cooperation from the former millwrights. Then the boss tells you you got to start selling product...
I've always wondered why these were so expensive. Not to say they aren't worth it. Just that if you're not familiar with them then you're likely perplexed by the cost. They're very nice rifles though.
It's quite unnerving to see Gresham's law beginning to be applied to common consumer goods, I started noticing it with heavy equipment and trucks (thanks EPA), now this stuff as well, get 'um while you can.
Hey nice 39 A I got a nice 39D that i got from a guy i did work for and he gave me the rifle and i love my 39D shoot's like a charm i dont think there is another 22 like 39A 39D 39m and so on .best 22 i ever owned .and you are right merlin is the best for it's time .
I know they got the old tooling but much of it wasn't for assimilation to automation, but I do also know Dakota firearms was making some of their custom shop stuff so who knows to be honest. Outs if my range either way.
A CNC machine can make anything and make it better than some guy with a set of files. I’ve seen ruger single actions with tighter gaps than that receiver. You’re right though, they’re slapping together stuff out of a parts bin.
I have a pre safety 39 A . Paid 500 $ for it and its not going away ,that rifle will shoot 3 inch groups at 200 yds if there is no wind blowing.i think you are on to something with your suspicion about Remington using old Marlin receivers.
I wish I saw your critique on the new Marlins before I bought my 45-70 several years ago. when I got it home and put on my glasses I saw large gaps between the receiver and the stock. It has developed some nice scratches on the bolt too, I believe it is due too the lack of de-burring the milled parts. I may try to make a new stock for it, but that will push my skills. I've only made one stock before and I was surprised at how difficult it was. The result was usable but a little crude under close inspection.
If anyone can and has the gun's history and what it takes to make it like the real McCoy then Ruger can for example like how Miroku out of Japan makes the great Winchester 1873 rifle/carbine the way Winchester use to make them and Winchester did right in getting the right company to make their rifles even though they're made in Japan makes no difference to me because it's the QUALITY and CRAFTSMANSHIP that counts !!!
I had this...the peanut as you could have the peanut brass plate sent to the company to have your name engraved on it and they would send back. Just gave to my son.
I understand Remington has gone bankrupt and was forced to auction everything off. According to my NRA magazine Rugger bought the rights and Marlin machinery/equipment. Let’s hope they can produce a high quality Marlin.
A friend just gave me this gun with all the fixings...for free(sorry). Said he found it in the basement and just wanted to get rid of it. I've shot a BB gun 30 yrs ago and he prob hasn't shot a BB yet. Need to get a lock and then get my LTC. Pretty stoked.😁
I'd bet those are new-old-stock, where Marlin made more than they sold for a few years and just socked them away.. Now they are selling the one-by-one for Fool's Gold.
I bought mine for $125 in the early 80s used. I thought it was an almost new gun because it was/is in mint condition. Almost most 40 years later I research the SN# online and find it was made in 1946. So my gun was already over 30 years old when I bought it. Now its still in mint condition and an antique.
