Marlin 39A w/floppy lever--any fixes?

[Mike Armstrong]

I have the opportunity to buy a 1960's vintage "Golden 39A" in excellent shape except for one big "flaw"--the lever is loose in all conditions of the action: action closed with hammer at full cock, half cock, and fired position, and action open. Lever is floppiest (is that a word???) when action is open, slightly less when closed. Falls about 3/8" down when open, 1/4" when closed. RATTLES in all conditions.

Anybody have any ideas about this? It seems to me that it isn't a problem that an amateur (me, for example) can fix easily--the current price of the rifle is a clue to this.

Has anyone had a similar problem? How was it fixed and how much hassle/expense did it take to fix it? I don't mind giving a gunsmith a little work if a good result is likely--want to get this little guy back in service!

Any wisdom/experience gratefully accepted!

Mike Armstrong

[jdad]

Check the lever return spring............It's what keeps the lever up.

[marlinman93]

Yes, the detent spring is likely broken, or not there at all. It's a flat spring held in by a screw.

https://www.gunpartscorp.com/products/1568780C

[GunnyMack]

Needs 'the little blue pill '
Most likely springs are gone/ shot.

[piller]

Not being an expert by any stretch of the imagination, it sounds like there is a lot of use and wear on the gun to me.

[jnyork]

Yes, the detent spring is likely broken, or not there at all. It's a flat spring held in by a screw.

https://www.gunpartscorp.com/products/1568780C

This. Takes about 45 seconds to change out. Common occurance with these rifles.

[Mike Armstrong]

thanks, guys! I'm lookin' at it tomorrow and will try to get the guy to come down a bit on price because of this major gunsmithing bill in the making! Probably won't work but you can't blame a guy for tryin' (specially if he's of the Scottish persuasion....).

[marlinman93]

thanks, guys! I'm lookin' at it tomorrow and will try to get the guy to come down a bit on price because of this major gunsmithing bill in the making! Probably won't work but you can't blame a guy for tryin' (specially if he's of the Scottish persuasion....).

Hardly a "major gunsmithing bill" since it will take you about 5 minutes to install a new lever spring, and $25 for the part.

[Mike Armstrong]

Well, I didn't get to try my strategy to weasel the price down....the guy listed the gun on Gunbroker at a price that puts it beyond my means. No mention of the floppy lever in his "description" I see. I'll keep lookin' and this thread at least educated me about floppy Marlin levers! THANKS to all who contributed.