Putting a scope on the gun apparently requires a side mount unless additional drill and tap done. A pretty good gun dealer attempted to do it with a Weaver style mount after removing the rear sight. The scopes he had would not fit because of the center "bulge" on the scopes, and he said that the scope would require a flat bottom. I do not want to spend a bunch of money for the scope, preferably around a hundred or so. Would like a variable scope such as a 3-9X32 or 40. Almost all scopes I've seen have the bulge at or near the center and would not fit on the Weaver base he tried. The attempt also showed that the scope would sit too low and interfere with the hammer and the rear of the scope would be too far from the eye. I appreciate any recommendation or suggestion. Thanks, John

Strange.... I have a Leupold 6x42 on mine, which has a pretty good sized objective bell, and it fits without any trouble. Not much clearance, though.

What base, and what rings, are you using?

Can you describe better what this "center bulge" is?? Are you refering to the turrets? Just a plain weaver base, some medium rings will do the job. You will also need a hammer spur, also called a hammer extension that fits on you hammer and sticks out to one side for use with a scope.

I guess I am having a little difficulty understanding why a man at a gunshop would have trouble mounting a scope on such a simple rifle. I don't even know what he means when he says a scope with a flat bottom. New to me. Should just need a standard weaver base and medium rings. Should work with about anything up to 40mm objective.

Putting a scope on the gun apparently requires a side mount unless additional drill and tap done. A pretty good gun dealer attempted to do it with a Weaver style mount after removing the rear sight. The scopes he had would not fit because of the center "bulge" on the scopes, and he said that the scope would require a flat bottom. I do not want to spend a bunch of money for the scope, preferably around a hundred or so. Would like a variable scope such as a 3-9X32 or 40. Almost all scopes I've seen have the bulge at or near the center and would not fit on the Weaver base he tried. The attempt also showed that the scope would sit too low and interfere with the hammer and the rear of the scope would be too far from the eye. I appreciate any recommendation or suggestion. Thanks, John
Hi! John. Question why did he have to remove the rear sight ? Unless some one had added a aftermarket peep you should not have to remove a sight , and uless the m39 is verry old the top of the reciver is taped for a scope mount , you just have to remove the screw plugs and mount the scope base. and add your own rings , If you go on line you can find several scopes and rings that you can aford and put on yourself. and the bulge you mention on the scope is no obstical to mounting as with the proper rings it will clear the mount , hope this helps any questions some one here will help you as you need it. that's what the place is for! to share information. Pete.

Hi! John. Question why did he have to remove the rear sight ? Unless some one had added a aftermarket peep you should not have to remove a sight , and uless the m39 is verry old the top of the reciver is taped for a scope mount , you just have to remove the screw plugs and mount the scope base. and add your own rings , If you go on line you can find several scopes and rings that you can aford and put on yourself. and the bulge you mention on the scope is no obstical to mounting as with the proper rings it will clear the mount , hope this helps any questions some one here will help you as you need it. that's what the place is for! to share information. Pete.


I have had to remove the rear sight on all three on my 39's. One is a 60 something model, and the other two are both current. The bell of the scope was touching the sight. He should have no other issues mouning a scope on there though, rear sight or not.

Thanks for all of your comments. To clean up my original posting: The 39A is a 1955 gun with an Mxxxx serial number. It is factory drilled to accept only a side mount. The later versions were top drilled. It is essentially an unmarked gun which hadn’t been touched for nearly 50 years. Thus, I want to avoid additional holes unless I cannot find a suitable side mount base and rings. There is a Weaver side mount with “high” rings but I think the gun store guy already tried it. I haven’t been able to confirm that since he is away from the store for a few days.

I have an 1897T that I have had a scope on . I used the Weaver base that came with the rifle and Weaver rings .
I had the rear sight off and had a 6.5-20 Leupold on top .
And it worked alright for me.

Thanks for all of your comments. To clean up my original posting: The 39A is a 1955 gun with an Mxxxx serial number. It is factory drilled to accept only a side mount. The later versions were top drilled. It is essentially an unmarked gun which hadn’t been touched for nearly 50 years. Thus, I want to avoid additional holes unless I cannot find a suitable side mount base and rings. There is a Weaver side mount with “high” rings but I think the gun store guy already tried it. I haven’t been able to confirm that since he is away from the store for a few days.


Without drilling and tapping for a current mount, these are your only options. I will give you the link for a side mount, and two different detachable ring sets for the side mount.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=119028

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=272671

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=340963

All scopes are basically the same. The scope won't help the mount issue. I still don't see why the scope won't clear even that side mount.

Gismo, thanks for the links. Next question, please - how to remove the rear sight. There are no screws. While watching the gun store people, it appeared that they were using a "punch" and tapping it fairly hard with a small hammer. Thanks for any comments. John

Gismo, thanks for the links. Next question, please - how to remove the rear sight. There are no screws. While watching the gun store people, it appeared that they were using a "punch" and tapping it fairly hard with a small hammer. Thanks for any comments. John


To remove the rear sight, I always remove the elevator first. Thats the part with the steps on it. Then to keep from scratching the barrel, I slide an oil rag under the rear sight. Then you use a nylon or brass punch and drive the sight out. It usually comes out easier one way than the other. I know someone reading this knows which way to drive it out and when they read this they will remind me :D . Thats all there is to it.

Good luck!

Think it's always out form left to right (as seen from rear of gun), But let one of the experts confirm this

best o luck

Nate

Think it's always out form left to right (as seen from rear of gun), But let one of the experts confirm this

best o luck

Nate


No expert here. But "ntjaxn" is correct.

Midway sells a weaver side mont base for under $20. If you are concerned about authentisity, by a vintage scope on ebay, I just picked up a clean Lyman 2.5 with a med. cross hair rectical for $44. If you don't like it take it off and sell it!
I have many old rimfires and have vintage scopes on most of them. Fun to shoot and most look better than they did with original open sights.
Do IT!

Well, I may not be much help since my experience is with a '61 model 39A Golden Mountie, especially since it was drilled & tapped on top. and the side both. I got the Weaver # 90 top mount base (only 2 mounting screws) and got Weaver 1' see-thru quick detach style rings #49513 and mounted a 3-9X40 scope on it. I did have to push the elevator all the way forward to mount the base and the base comes right up to the rear sight...unless I turn the base around so it hangs off the receiver over the hammer. I have thought about that, but then I would need to buy a hammer spur then. I have not sighted the scope in yet, and with the base on, I can just barely see the top of the open sight.

After bending a couple of brass punches I located my nylon punch and was able to remove the rear scope. I fitted a scope from another gun and looks okay to go. I haven't yet decided on a scope for the Marlin, but soon. Thanks to all who pitched in on my little job. John