I have a model 39 on my 'get' list and have been impressed with most folks' take on their accuracy. Not benchrest guns I know, but I'd be interested in hearing how well these rifles can do for you at 50 yards off the bench. Open, peep or scope, whatever.

Around 5/8" inch on a good day, 5 shots, CCI Mini-Mag HP, Leupold 6x42 which has been re-focused by the factory to be parallax-free at 50 yards.

Around 5/8" inch on a good day, 5 shots, CCI Mini-Mag HP, Leupold 6x42 which has been re-focused by the factory to be parallax-free at 50 yards.

I'm in the same neighborhood at 50 with Win dyna points. Haven't done much shooting at 50 though- my rifle wears an old Redfield Peep. Some of the ammo I tried at 25 was very good- CCI Subsonic averaged between a half and three quarter inch. The old Federal UMB 900's were awfully close to a half at 25. It don't like the mini mag much for reasons that are beyond me- could be the rifle just don't like 'em. I would like to think I could tighten groups a bit by improving the front sight.

Anyone know who carries sourdough type front sights? That gold bead can be problematic in bright sunshine....

Regards,

Doc Sharptail

Well, I'm looking for grouse head type accuracey and it sure sounds like the 39 will do it at reasonable hunting range.

Doc, I know what you mean about the ol gold bead. In certain light I don't like it. I've got a model 1936 30-30 and for now I just used a heavy black marker to cover the gold. I figure it'll wipe off with degreaser when need be.

My tag sale marlin 39a will do 1.5 to 2 inch at 100 this was a test I done with my 32X target scope on it. With federals from Wal-Mart. When I bought this gem in the tag sale it had a broken rear sight. I use this rifle to practice off hand shooting from 0 to 100 I took a old set of muzzle loader sights and filed them in on the bench to hit a 1.5 inch steel target at 65. I do from time to time try to hit this off hand at 50 on good days I'll hit it 5 of 10. Then on bad days!!!! Such a thing don't exist even if you miss when practicing.

Hi guys, just found this site after hanging at RFC and Marlinowners(which I can't seem to find anymore), and this site looks pretty nice. I have a 1958 39A that when I had it scoped would hang in the 3/4 to 1 inch at fifty yard off of sandbags. I've since replaced the scope with a Williams 5D and like the looks much better. I can't get the groups I used to, but I can hit a three inch "gong" at fifty yards almost every shot, which I am pretty happy with since I haven't really shot with receiver sights too often. In my opinion, there isn't a finer rifle to own or shoot than the 39. Glen1

Here is the target showing the first three rounds ever fired from my 39A, right out of the box.

http://www.hunt101.com/img/070645.jpg[/url]



It's my believe that it's almost a sin to bench rest a 39A. This levergun was made to shoot off-hand. The 39A Marlin is, IMHO, the best balanced rifle ever produced.

I've got an 1897 Century Limited with a Marbles Tang Sight and a Lyman 17A front globe sight.

http://www.cox-internet.com/dougsalley/1897CL_LL.jpg

My best group so far with this peep sight setup was 5 shot 5/8" group shot at 25Yds off the hood of my truck using sand bags.

http://www.cox-internet.com/dougsalley/1897CL_Best%20Group.jpg

Here is another nice 6 shot group (except for the 1 flyer).
http://www.cox-internet.com/dougsalley/1897CL%20Tight%20Group.jpg

firstshot
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Make your first shot count!

Firstshot,

It's good to see you posting here at SF. Those are some very impressive groups. I have yet to get my 39A to group that tight. I have since installed a Simmons scope, but still haven't seen any improvements.

I have been a "scope" shooter for over 20 years. However when I installed the scope on my 39A, not only did it change the looks, but also changed the handling and balance of the Marlin. I find my accuracy using iron sights less than acceptable. After all the years of looking through scopes I have seen to have forgotten some of the open sight shooting techniques I was taught very early on.

I have been floating around the idea of installing a peep sight, but have no experience with them. Is there any advantages, good or bad, between the receiver installed sights and the tang sights?

Leverpuller

Thanks for the welcome.....been reading up on 45-70's all night. Definitely got the hots for one, just don't know which one yet....LOL

Like you, I've been a scope shooter all my life. My 1897CL is the first rifle I have ever owned that did NOT have a scope on it and also the first gun that I have ever shot "Peep" sights with.

Also like you, I found my accuracy using the iron sights that come on the 1897 less than acceptable. Eyes just aren't what they used to be, and couldn't focus on front / rear sights and the target at the same time......LOL!

If you are thinking about trying out peep sights, it's probably good that you've forgotten some of the open sight shooting techniques you were taught very early on as shooting with peep sights is totally different.

When sooting peeps, all you do is lign up the front sight on the target and fire.....that's it, and it's a whole lot faster than shooting with typical buck-horn sights. It's kind of strange at first cause you will spend a lot of time trying to make sure that the front sight is exactly centered inside the peep..... when in reality, your eyes will do that automatically once you get used to it and just let it happen.

The only advantages of a tang sight over a receiver sight are first and formost "Looks", and second, just a little bit longer sight radius. Downside, have to drill & tap to mount tang sight. Your 39A may already be drilled to accept a Williams receiver sight.

Before doing either, you should see if you can find someone that has peeps on one of their guns and see if they will let you shoot it. Doesn't matter what caliber. I think you will find it jus a little bit amazing how accurate you can shoot with peep sights. I know I did!

Now.... you will never find a scope on my 1897CL and if I ever get a 45-70 you can bet it will have peep sights on it as well. (I've got a customized 6.5X55 Swede, with scope, for the long range stuff)

firstshot
---------------------------------
Make your first shot count!

Leverpuller

........Also like you, I found my accuracy using the iron sights that come on the 1897 less than acceptable. Eyes just aren't what they used to be, and couldn't focus on front / rear sights and the target at the same time......LOL!........


firstshot
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Make your first shot count!


I have 20/20 vision with corrective lens, but I have the same problem when using the factory iron sights.

Thanks for the peep sight advice. I am going to find out which types and styles can be installed with minimal modifications. I personally like the tang sights. And yes I agree they look great. Almost like they belong there.

It's good to see a familiar "face". Thanks again, Firstshot.

Golly! It's been so long since I shot for group size with my 39A I don't remember. I do know that I have always been impressed with its accuracy. I have a 1.5 to 4.5 variable scope mounted on it and it always hits where I'm pointing it. Guess I'll have to take it out again this spring and see if it is still sighted in.

Ive been working to max the bdt at 25 with my 05 39a for a few weeks now. Ive done it once, but didnt have a witness!!! Ill keep trying, reguardless the rifle is capable of .5 inch groups at 25 yards. I think the 39 is far and away, the best long arm ever devised by the hand of man or God! lol

Never tried to see what kind of group I could get with my 39. Fact, I've never shot at a paper target ... just stuff and critters. This may be my excuse to take it to the range and see though. However, it does not have a scope on it.

This forum has been rather tame for a while now. I only just really noticed it while doing a search to try and figure the age of my 39, and most of the threads are buried under the default 30 day limit. Maybe a little life will get breathed back into it.

I never did target work either, but the little 39M is definitely good for minute-of-grouse head accuracy.

My 39A consistently produces .75" groups at 50 yds. It likes Win Super X T-22's. I use a Bushnell Banner 1.5-4.5x32 scope to assist these old eyes. I haven't shot for groups at 100yds., but it just seems to hit anything at 100 yards that I point it at.

Dan

With a Marbles tang sight installed, mine shoots 1" or better at 50 yards. That being said, I agree with a previous poster: the 39A was designed and intended to be shot off-hand. That is where it really shines.
HRF

My 1949 vintage 39A is capable of groups that can be covered with a nickel at 50 yards. As with almost any .22, the secret is trying as many different brands/loads of ammo as you can lay your hands on. So far, the best in my rifle has been CCI MiniMag hollowpoints. When I found out how well it shot in my rifle, I went right back to WalMart and bought the other 16 boxes of same-lot MiniMags they had on the shelf. Many hundreds of small critters and tin cans will meet their fates before I refresh my supply!

My 1957 39A will shoot around .75 inches at 50 yds with a Williams Foolproof Receiver mounted peep sight. With practice, peep sights can be as accurate as scopes within 100 to 200 yds.
No, I don't have young eyes, I'm 54, but do have good vision. Peep sights are accurate, fast, and do not interupt the beautiful lines of a lever. Both my 39A and Guide Gun wears them. Both are extremely accurate!!

Here are some groups my 39TDS shot at 25 yards, OPEN sights, front rest, with cheapo Fedral bulk ammo.

http://www.grovestreet.com/jsp/onepic.jsp?id=1108294

Shot this 50 yard 5 shot group yesterday with my 39A
http://www.grovestreet.com/jsp/onepic.jsp?id=1114275

This is my best open sight five shot group with this rifle. I know it is capable of better but I was quite impressed that I could get 5 shots with cheap Fedral Bulk ammo at 50 yards under a nickle...