Will the Marlin 39A Be brought Back to Production?

AmmoLand ^ | 30 January, 2020 | Dean Weingarten

[marktwain]

Image courtesy Dean Weingarten

The claim has been made that the Marlin 39A has been in continuous production the longest of any rifle in existence. The rifle has been in production, in one form or another, since 1891. The model 39A appellation was given in 1939, according to a display at the Remington/Marlin exhibit at the SHOT Show in January 2020.

My attention was attracted to a display celebrating 150 years of Marlin firearms production. On the display were a Marlin model 60 and a Marlin .444 lever gun. Both are iconic Marlin firearms.

It seemed strange there was no Marlin 39A. The Marlin 39A has a cult following. They are an iconic rifle. They have excellent triggers, they are known for accuracy, a smooth action, and durability.

They have not been listed in the Marlin catalog for several years. The only Marlin 39A on display at the Remington/Marlin booth was a historical display, reminding everyone the rifle first was manufactured in 1891.

There have been numerous rumors about the possibility of returning the Marlin 39A to factory production. I heard more than one at the Shot Show. Representatives of Remington/Marlin were friendly but referred me to the only two Remington representatives at the show who seemed authorized to answer substantive questions. Although numerous attempts were made to contact these individuals, none were successful. A media associate told me he had the same difficulty.

Remington/Marlin may have missed a marketing opportunity. A 150th commemorative 39A, in a limited run edition, might have sold out at $995 each.

Technically, the Model 39A is still in production. It is available from the Marlin custom shop, as the Model 39A Fancy for $3,495.

[marktwain]

The Marlin 39A has a cult following. It is known for a smooth action, reliability, a good trigger and excellent accuracy.

[Spktyr]

It won’t be after Remington screws it up, like they did the rest of the old Marlin lineup.

[Bonemaker]

True. Best look for older pre remington used ones.

[Dr. Sivana]

We both moved out of Connecticut some time ago.

[Beagle8U]

No, too expensive.

The one Marlin should be bringing back is the Marlin MR-7!

Those are some of to most accurate bolt action rifles you will ever shoot. I wish I had bought more of them when I had the chance.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I have the 39A Golden Mountie...

[moovova]

We "inherited" a Marlin 99 22LR (tube-fed, Microgroove, Monte Carlo stock) from the wife's mom's estate. It belonged to my wife's dad. (That little weapon of mass destruction actually sprouted legs and walked over to our house before everything was divvied up. 😁). Poor thing looked rough. I tore it down, scrubbed/cleaned it up, replaced a broken plastic buffer in the housing. I figured it was worth it to spend the $14 to replace the buffer as opposed to buying a new Model 60. Still need to take it to the range to see if it shoots. I've always loved a tube-fed 22 rifle since I had a Sears Ted Williams (un-remembered model) as a kid roaming the forest behind our house. Of course, I own a Ruger 10/22. Doesn't everyone?

[maxwellsmart_agent]

If they bring it back, they have to cure the firing pin problem of the later models. The older models, made by Marlin when it was Marlin, worked fine. The newer models, when Remington acquired Marlin, have a problem with the firing pin.

[niteowl77]

There were a few of the shorter and handier Marlin 39M variants in use by my classmates, and it was the .22 that I wanted but could never afford. Some years later I could finally afford one, but the longer 39A was the only model in production by then.

[Seruzawa]

Nope. Remington fired the old hands who built Marlins and replaced them with new (cheaper) guys. Forget Marlin.

[LFOD]

Had one of these 45 years ago. Traded a .222 bolt gun for it at the time.

I was a good thing the 39A had the side knob for a quick take down. It was a jam-a-matic no matter what type of .22lr was put through it. However the darn thing was accurate though.

[Sooth2222]

Of course, I own a Ruger 10/22. Doesn't everyone?

Only one? I have two, and I'm not even close to being a gun guy.

[moovova]

“Only one?”

Hah! I guess I’m buying another gun. :-)

[BipolarBob]

I have the 39A Golden Mountie...
What a terrible rifle. Absolutely worthless. You must get rid of it now. I can take that firearm off your hands no questions asked.

[trebb]

Marlin has a history of producing relatively inexpensive weapons that are reliable and accurate...the best .22LR rifles I have owned were/are Marlins.

[Parley Baer]

I do have a Marlin 1891, 1892, 1897 and a 39.

[Jumper]

I own a Marlin .22 17 round bolt action with an 1870-1970 Coin in the shoulder stock and a gold plated trigger. It was on sale at a farm store in Ohio on weekend marked down from 39.00 to $29.00 so I drove to town and got it. It is one of guns I love.

Also own a Marlin .30 30 with a scope.

Both are legit Weapons.

Thanks for thread.

[Zhang Fei]

My college roommate had a tube-fed Marlin. I can’t shoot worth a damn, but that Marlin made me look good.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

It’s a burden...

[Lurker]

I had a Golden 39A my grandfather left me. My idiot brother stole it and traded it for a bag of weed.

I haven’t spoken to him since.

L