Im done with Marlin lever .22's

[Safestuffer]

Buying them, that is, because I just found the pair I always wanted this month.

Rewind some years, my buddy just had his two boys and I was thinning the herd, had a '59 39a that I was going to sell but was a bit too finish challenged to fetch a price worth pursuing. So rather than get beat up over it i just gave it to my friend for his two boys to grow up with.
I had a 9422 at the time and didn't think I'd miss the heavy 39a with its longer barrel and girthy forearm.
Haha, of course I did. But I always preferred the straight stocked Mountie carbine that is a bit hard to find and usually expensive. I also prefer an octagon barrel, something I'd never seen on a 39a

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Well the good Lord saw fit to bless me with these two fine rifles last month, a very nice 1950 standard 39a,

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Then, lo and behold, tbis 39a Century Limited popped up. I didn't know about these and the short rifle, octagon barrel is my favorite levergun configuration, so now im blessed with a better version of the one I gave away, and the version I always wanted but didn't know existed.

[AJMD429]

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I love the centerfire Marlins but never caught the 39 bug - however after seeing that pair, I think I could change my mind for sure.

Those are sweet.

[44shooter]

I regret passing on a Century at a gun show about 20 years ago, handy and had my birth year on it!

[jeepnik]

I found this one in a gun store in Culver City. They didn't know what they had, but I did.

For some reason I have always been attracted to shorter barrels on leverguns. Maybe it's because I'm not a big guy and the shorter barrels just seem right.

[Streetstar]

Awesome man ! Those things are sweet !

[Blaine]

I've been through several iterations of different 39s. The only one that was 100% reliable was a mid-fifties Mountie.
As I close out my life, the only two lever 22s I have & need are a 9422 and a 9422M. Never a problem.
I hope I can pass them on someday to somebody who would appreciate them.

[Lastmohecken]

I've been through several iterations of different 39s. The only one that was 100% reliable was a mid-fifties Mountie.
As I close out my life, the only two lever 22s I have & need are a 9422 and a 9422M. Never a problem.
I hope I can pass them on someday to somebody who would appreciate them.

Same here, Quality control may have varied some on these. I have owned a couple that were very reliable, but I think I ended up taking both to a gunsmith first. There also was run in the very eary 80's that had brittle firing pins. My brother in law and me both had firing pins break in fairly new rifles. There was an old gunsmith who kept them in stock and I bought several extras and even drilled a hole in the stock under the buttplate of two of mine and wrapped up a firing pin in waxed paper and as far as I know, they are still there. I eventually traded both of those off, and wished I didn't, occasionally.

[LeverGunner]

Congratulations on those.

The 39 is my favorite 22 rifle. It's a man's 22 rimfire. I have one made in '62. Next probably will be a Mountie. Not sure though... I do like the heft of the 24" barrel. Nothing like it.

[Griff]

I've never owned a .22 levergun... tho' have always wanted a 9422, I owned a Ruger Single Six Convertible for a while, but ended up trading it for a Marlin 336 in .30-30. I had the chance to replace that Single Six with a Colt Peacekeeper, but opted for another Winchester 94 in .30-30.

[Walt]

I'm with you, Blaine. I also have a 9422 and a 9422M which I think are exquisite levers. Also a Henry with an octagonal barrel in .22M, a couple of old Winchester pumps, a Nylon 66, etc.

[marlinman93]

I personally always preferred pistol grip stocks, and longer octagon barrels, so that meant sticking with 1930's or older Model 1897, 1892 or 1891 rifles. The 1897 being my favorites as they were the top of the heap for Marlin .22's in my opinion. They had case colored receivers, slim forearms, and beautiful rust blued barrels and mag tubes. Just stunning little rifles.

[Lastmohecken]

My two current and favorite .22 leveractions for many years has been a Winchester 92/22mag and a little Browning BL.22 However, I do wish that I had not let a really nice and accurate model 39A get away from me, many years ago.

[Jared]

Great finds.

I have a modest 39 collection and had always looked for a Century limited. Finally found one about 6 months ago. They are sweet little rifles.