Hey Guys my name is Dave as you can tell, my question is I was just given an old marlin 39a by my father that has been in the family for a while. He thinks it's roughly 60 years old, very good condition. Now I am a very good shot with open sights but I'm thinking of putting a scope on it since I will be hunting small game. I know that it going to take a side mounted scope but other than that I know nothing about scopes. Actually now that I think about it I belive there is a single small screw on top of the receiver, I think just in front of the rear sight or the hammer I'm not sure. I need a good scope for squirrel or rabbit hunting and of course I don't want to spend a lot of money. What would you recommend and what all do I need to have to mount it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I don't know about the mounting system for an old 39, but I've found the 2.5 to 7 Pine Ridge shotgun/black power scope Cabela's sells for 69.95 just excellent for 22's. It has a 50 yard hyperfocal distance which is perfect for 22 long rifles and it's exceptionally bright and clear. It's product number is ZW 71-2571-023

I've put at least 20 of these on 22's for both myself and friends and have never had anyone complain about them. Add to that the great warrentee Cabela's has on all their products and that's a scope that's hard to beat.

I'd check with Brownell's tech secton about your mount. Their techs will set you up on what you need. You may have to have your 39 drilled and tapped for a mount.

Cabela's had a bunch of these on sale a few years ago in their bargain cave. I bought a dozen for 19.95 each and used them for Christmas presents. I opened one to put on a friends son's 22 and the cross hairs were out of alignment. When I called Cabela's they said send it in. I explained it was a Bargain Cave sale item, but they replaced it with a brand new one in a week and thanked me for doing business with them.

Have you considered a receiver sight instead of a scope? It's a good alternative if you don't want to drill and tap your gun. I have one on mine, and it works much better for my aging eyes than a rear open sight does, and it maintains the profile of the rifle.

I'd call Brownell's. If there's a base available for your gun, they'll most likely have it.

Good luck.

Dave007;

That "single small screw" on the receiver top is most likely the
screw that holds the upper cartridge guide in place. If you do take it loose, be aware that a small flat piece of metal will drop into the receiver. :eek:

If your rifle is 60 years old, it is unlikely that it was factory drilled and tapped for a scope. Mine, 1948 vintage, was drilled, I believe, sometime in the mid-'50's, as the base is a Marlin base of that era. It should, however, be drilled and tapped on the lefthand side for a reciver sight. A nice, vintage, all-steel Lyman would be sweet.

I would agree with au2183, you might think about a good reciever sight. they do givea bit more flexability than scopes. IN SOME SITUATIONS, for close rabbit hunting where a 5 yard shot in the order putting on the head is simple with a williams. and you can use both eye open shooting. even further out work leave both eyes open and let the reciever sight do the work.

Well, you asked for opinions on sights. I put a williams receiver sight on my 39. It looks right and I didn't have to ruin the gun to attach it. Yup, that's what I said. Modifying a 60 year old Marlin for a scope will ruin it. Will ruin its value. IMO, Grizz

Well, you asked for opinions on sights. I put a williams receiver sight on my 39. It looks right and I didn't have to ruin the gun to attach it. Yup, that's what I said. Modifying a 60 year old Marlin for a scope will ruin it. Will ruin its value. IMO, Grizz

I agree with Grizz!

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I just got a older 39a octagon from my grandfather and was wonder is there a way one too tell how old it is and two can I put a scope on it. There is on the top of the receiver three sets of screws on the flat part of the receiver and experience tells me that those might be sets for the actions or at least two of them could be for mounts. Oh and if your wondering the gun is mint.

I just got a older 39a octagon from my grandfather and was wonder is there a way one too tell how old it is and two can I put a scope on it. There is on the top of the receiver three sets of screws on the flat part of the receiver and experience tells me that those might be sets for the actions or at least two of them could be for mounts. Oh and if your wondering the gun is mint.

I would say your gun is not an older octagon 39A, but the newer version. The older ones were not drilled and tapped for scope bases. Check out RimfireCentral.com. Go to the Marlin section and ask all the questions you have. There are a coupe of guys over there who know about all there is to know about the 39's. There are also sticky's where you can look up the manufacture date of your rifle.