Once upon a time there was a Marlin Model 39AS. The evolution and end of this .22 S, L & LR Rifle is an interesting journey starting with American genius and continuing craftsmen throughout it’s long life. For more information one can get the book Marlin Firearms: A history of the guns and the company that made them available here. Marlin Firearms: A History of the Guns and the Company That Made Them: USAR, William S. Brophy: 9780811708777: Amazon.com: Books
I respect quality made .22 guns. Sometimes I joke about so many of today’s 22’s being engineered with cheesy cheap parts. It’s like the factory is playing to the tune of a market, that for some reason says a .22 must not have the quality of a centerfire gun. Guns like the S&W Model 17, 617, and 63, or the Colt Diamondback, or even the extinct H&R Revolvers all made guns dedicated with forgings and quality components throughout even though they were just rimfires. The Winchester 9422 series and today’s Henry rimfires come close but you will find a few shortcuts in both brands.
The Marlin model 39AS Golden is a full feature rifle that will last forever and can be handed down to generations to come. The S stands for the safety that was added and while seasoned shooters never needed a safety, it is a good solid safety that will be there should it be needed in future hands. This gun pictured is about the 6th Generation of improvements over the original Model 1891. It’s balance is the number one benefit as the rifle is right at home in the field. It’s quick. It’s smooth and it works. It eats all three Shorts, Longs, and Long Rifle cartridges. I just love shooting CCI Shorts Shop products in CCI today | CCI Ammunition (cci-ammunition.com) in this rifle as the Hammer makes more noise than the report. Cool.
Rimfire Tubular magazines rock in terms of streamlined efficiency. If one has one, there is a proper way to load tubes that it seems many of today’s shooters have missed that lesson. Be sure to teach the kids right. Not only did Marlin not take shortcuts on the Model 39, but they made it a 2 piece take down model as well. Sorry, time and INGO pic space would not allow me to photo the two pieces broken down but a short you tube stroll and you can see it. Mating the forged receiver took extra care. I was told by a factory insider that Marlin had 29 craftsmen in a corner room that was dedicated to building the Model 39.
One gripe I have always had is with a hooded front sight. I wish all Field guns had a strong and simple post dovetailed into the barrel. The hood blocks daylight and if you remove it, the fragile sight with a brass bead becomes unprotected and enables a modern look to an old gun style. Again, a trip to ZRTS Home — ZR Tactical Solutions and presto, the hood is ventilated for light.
By taking note in the pictures, the 39AS Golden comes with a grip cap and rubber logolized butt pad. The rear sight is a folding semi buckhorn. Very fast acquisition I might add. Instead of the cheesy scope groves found on many rimfires, the top strap is flat, soft finished for glare, and tapped for sturdy mounts for scoping.
The American Black Walnut furniture on this gun is fit like it was custom made. I really like the scallops that they mill into the race that leads from the neck into the cheek part of the stock. Again, another feature and attention to detail.
Looking at the inside of this receiver shows attention to metalwork and ease of getting at the ejector and chamber if needed. Cleaning this gun after a range session is almost as much fun as shooting it. There is a certain pleasure one gets when he is running the patch down the Micro-Groove Marlin Microgroove Barrels (leverguns.com) barrels. Then wiping it down with Break Free CLP Break Free CLP – Precision Lubricants, Cleaners, Preservatives & Solvents cleans it right up and protects the metal. Polishing the wood with a Lemon oil finish and then applying Birchwood Casey Wax Gun Stock Wax, 3 fl.oz. Bottle - Birchwood Casey brings out the ambience of a fine rifle.
If I was to guess, I doubt that Ruger will resurrect the Model 39, or the very least, their modified version of it. Today’s market is proving that the color and character of a fine rifle is not conducive to the bottom line for today’s shooter. If you want to shoot something with some history and feel it in your hands as you work a smooth lever action and have a balance and point ability unsurpassed by today’s standards, then good luck on your search.
Millions of shooters enjoy shooting lever action rimfires and I truly hope they have the same experience in the out-of-doors that I enjoy with this piece. I swear when I look back at the fun and the history of the Marlin Model 39AS Golden, the demise of the Model 39 seems like a sad ending to a fairy tale.
See you on the range
Trapper
I respect quality made .22 guns. Sometimes I joke about so many of today’s 22’s being engineered with cheesy cheap parts. It’s like the factory is playing to the tune of a market, that for some reason says a .22 must not have the quality of a centerfire gun. Guns like the S&W Model 17, 617, and 63, or the Colt Diamondback, or even the extinct H&R Revolvers all made guns dedicated with forgings and quality components throughout even though they were just rimfires. The Winchester 9422 series and today’s Henry rimfires come close but you will find a few shortcuts in both brands.
The Marlin model 39AS Golden is a full feature rifle that will last forever and can be handed down to generations to come. The S stands for the safety that was added and while seasoned shooters never needed a safety, it is a good solid safety that will be there should it be needed in future hands. This gun pictured is about the 6th Generation of improvements over the original Model 1891. It’s balance is the number one benefit as the rifle is right at home in the field. It’s quick. It’s smooth and it works. It eats all three Shorts, Longs, and Long Rifle cartridges. I just love shooting CCI Shorts Shop products in CCI today | CCI Ammunition (cci-ammunition.com) in this rifle as the Hammer makes more noise than the report. Cool.
Rimfire Tubular magazines rock in terms of streamlined efficiency. If one has one, there is a proper way to load tubes that it seems many of today’s shooters have missed that lesson. Be sure to teach the kids right. Not only did Marlin not take shortcuts on the Model 39, but they made it a 2 piece take down model as well. Sorry, time and INGO pic space would not allow me to photo the two pieces broken down but a short you tube stroll and you can see it. Mating the forged receiver took extra care. I was told by a factory insider that Marlin had 29 craftsmen in a corner room that was dedicated to building the Model 39.
One gripe I have always had is with a hooded front sight. I wish all Field guns had a strong and simple post dovetailed into the barrel. The hood blocks daylight and if you remove it, the fragile sight with a brass bead becomes unprotected and enables a modern look to an old gun style. Again, a trip to ZRTS Home — ZR Tactical Solutions and presto, the hood is ventilated for light.
By taking note in the pictures, the 39AS Golden comes with a grip cap and rubber logolized butt pad. The rear sight is a folding semi buckhorn. Very fast acquisition I might add. Instead of the cheesy scope groves found on many rimfires, the top strap is flat, soft finished for glare, and tapped for sturdy mounts for scoping.
The American Black Walnut furniture on this gun is fit like it was custom made. I really like the scallops that they mill into the race that leads from the neck into the cheek part of the stock. Again, another feature and attention to detail.
Looking at the inside of this receiver shows attention to metalwork and ease of getting at the ejector and chamber if needed. Cleaning this gun after a range session is almost as much fun as shooting it. There is a certain pleasure one gets when he is running the patch down the Micro-Groove Marlin Microgroove Barrels (leverguns.com) barrels. Then wiping it down with Break Free CLP Break Free CLP – Precision Lubricants, Cleaners, Preservatives & Solvents cleans it right up and protects the metal. Polishing the wood with a Lemon oil finish and then applying Birchwood Casey Wax Gun Stock Wax, 3 fl.oz. Bottle - Birchwood Casey brings out the ambience of a fine rifle.
If I was to guess, I doubt that Ruger will resurrect the Model 39, or the very least, their modified version of it. Today’s market is proving that the color and character of a fine rifle is not conducive to the bottom line for today’s shooter. If you want to shoot something with some history and feel it in your hands as you work a smooth lever action and have a balance and point ability unsurpassed by today’s standards, then good luck on your search.
Millions of shooters enjoy shooting lever action rimfires and I truly hope they have the same experience in the out-of-doors that I enjoy with this piece. I swear when I look back at the fun and the history of the Marlin Model 39AS Golden, the demise of the Model 39 seems like a sad ending to a fairy tale.
See you on the range
Trapper
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