[Pudfark]

Howdy All, Last year I bought a Newer Model 39, I would guess, it was made in the 90's. It's beautiful rifle and is in pristine condition. My problem is that it has a 24" barrel and due to health issues, it's just to heavy to shoot well without support. Should I have the barrel shortened? Or, maybe trade it for a couple of Henery's? Maybe look to trade it for a 16" or 18" Model 39? My wife shoots a 50's Mod 39 with an 18" barrel it's a useable weight/balance for me. She just won't give it up. Advice and suggestions appreciated.

 

[JWSmith1959]

Nobody here can answer that question for you. BUT....if it were me I would try and trade it for a shorter model that suits you better. "Also" if it were me, I would do everything I could to be on the + side of the deal.

Sorry for your issues.

Good luck and all the best.

Joel

 

[JBelk]

I'm assuming a Marlin Model 39. Try a Browning BL22 for shorter and lighter than any of the Marlins. Good luck finding (an affordable) Mountie.

 

[Pudfark]

Thank You Both. I should'a said it was a Model 39AS. It is really barrel heavy, to me. I will hold on to it for awhile and throw some feelers out for a swap or sale. I live in N.E. Texas and there's not many, if any, gun shows around these parts. I guess, I'll end up in Houston, looking there? Woof, how I hate that thought. Really like the Marlin's, but would settle for a Browning.

 

[shooter444]

I have replied to the "should I cut the barrel" with a standard reply, many times.

If you like your Marlin, like I do, more than any other one made out there, and, you don't plan on ever selling it, like me,... then I recommend cutting the barrel! I had mine cut to 16+ inches and I am EXTREMELY happy!

You may also consider putting a synthetic hollow butt stock on it, and, remove the fore end wood,... as I did,... see my avatar. That should bring the weight down for you. Even though I changed out to a synthetic butt to ADD weight by filling it with used primers, and, removed the wood fore end just because I like it that way! 😎

 

[Pudfark]

@shooter444 I would really like to see all of the rifle in your avatar, if you can post it? I wonder what it would cost to shorten the barrel, re-crown it, rework the magazine tube and a dovetail for the front site? Then to find someone competent to do the work? This rifle, to me, is not a financial investment. It, along with my wife's model 39 will be 'left' to both of our grandsons. I don't mind putting a few hundred bucks out, to have it done right.

 

[shooter444]

Pudfark,... sadly I can't seem to access the full picture. Computers and I rarely get along! As for cost and who can do the work,... mine was $90 but was done well over a decade ago, by someone up in Oregon, that I used through my local retail gun shop, so, I can't help you with either. But I am sure, there is someone on this site who can.

 

[375Carp]

Ooof. It is your rifle, so of course I suggest do as you like.

But for my suggestion, what you are going to pay for a smith to do the work to your Model 39, that would be a a big step towards the cost of a Henry. I am not a Henry fan, but know several who are. So, my suggestion is leave the 39 as it is (I love the 24" barrel myself) and buy a Henry you like that is lighter. The Browning is also a good suggestion, but I think is a bit more pricy than the Henry's. Another Mountie is another good suggestion, but would cost you more than a Henry and a Browning added together.

My last thought. If you are leaving them to your grandsons, are they old enough yet to have an opinion? I have asked my boys more than a few time what they thought about a direction I was going to go and allowed their opinion to change my mind.

 

[Pudfark]

Really appreciate the advice and suggestions from everyone. This is the kind of help I asked for and received. I'm going to mull this over tonight, after a cocktail. Likely, I will head in the Henry direction and leave the 39AS as is. My grandson's are 10 and 13 and their minds change like the wind. Thanks 375Carp for the clarity.

 

[Good Shooter]

I have a Marlin Mountie and a Henry 22. They both shoot very well and feel about the same. I would go with the Henry and keep the Model 39 intact. I feel fortunate to have both.

 

[MikeG]

Pre-Remington Marlins have gone UP in value, last gun show I was at, somewhat astonished by the price increases.

You might skunk around on some of gun auction sites and do a little investigating before taking a saw to it.

 

[LightninST]

Keep it have it cut down and enjoy it .

 

[fxdwgpig]

Buy the Henry and leave the Model 39 alone or buy a 16.5" Marlin! In fact the Marlin Papoose only has a 16.25 inch barrel and very light, it's not a Lever action, but something you could probably support. I always cringe when someone talks about cutting down a beautiful rifle.

 

[Darkker]

Did you buy the gun to be a collectors dream one day, or did you buy it to use it?
If you bought it to use it, use it in anyway you see fit. If that means duct tape and krylon, then by all means.
I always roll my eyes when someone says "you can't do that to a..." 🙄

Cheers

 

[Pudfark]

It just seems to me, after a couple hours of sleep, that I'm not a beggar and I'm lucky as heck to be a chooser. I truly value the opinions, advice and suggestions rendered here. I'm now on the hunt for reasonably priced/valued lever action .22 Really seems to be slim pickin's where I live... With the Covid haunting everybody, I'm not in a hurry, but I'm gonna be vigilant and patient. I'm not gonna settle for anything that isn't right. Warn yer relatives, I'm on the prowl, hide the silverware...lol I'm 65 years of age, younger than some of the folks who reign/rain here? I've read more'n ten thousand posts on this forum in the last couple of months and very much regret taking so long to get here. It's truly comforting to know that good people still occupy the planet. Thanks everyone, I now have my course set and my mind made up.

 

[ribbonstone2]

Looks like 3 choices to me:

Cut up and lose value….which won’t make no never mind unless you want to sell it...other than that, it’s your heir’s problem.


Work at it and deal with the extra length, strength (which a Physical therapist might really like...but they all have a little sadist in them).


Sell it and hunt up one that suits you.

 

[Goolys]

I would try to shorten the barrel of the rifle, I like to experiment)

 

[shooterPaul]

It just seems to me, after a couple hours of sleep, that I'm not a beggar and I'm lucky as heck to be a chooser. I truly value the opinions, advice and suggestions rendered here. I'm now on the hunt for reasonably priced/valued lever action .22 Really seems to be slim pickin's where I live... With the Covid haunting everybody, I'm not in a hurry, but I'm gonna be vigilant and patient. I'm not gonna settle for anything that isn't right. Warn yer relatives, I'm on the prowl, hide the silverware...lol I'm 65 years of age, younger than some of the folks who reign/rain here? I've read more'n ten thousand posts on this forum in the last couple of months and very much regret taking so long to get here. It's truly comforting to know that good people still occupy the planet. Thanks everyone, I now have my course set and my mind made up.

Sounds like a good choice or choices for you. It's always good to have your mind made up on a course.
Good luck!

 

[Will Gray]

Howdy All, Last year I bought a Newer Model 39, I would guess, it was made in the 90's. It's beautiful rifle and is in pristine condition. My problem is that it has a 24" barrel and due to health issues, it's just to heavy to shoot well without support. Should I have the barrel shortened? Or, maybe trade it for a couple of Henery's? Maybe look to trade it for a 16" or 18" Model 39? My wife shoots a 50's Mod 39 with an 18" barrel it's a useable weight/balance for me. She just won't give it up. Advice and suggestions appreciated.

Buy some good ammo, take it out plinking and enjoy one of the great old rifle designs.

 

[Olafhaft]

I have a model 39 -D as in dawg . They only made these for a couple of years. It is a superb lever 22. Not only is is shorter barreled but it has a thinner lighter barrel. It is easy to carry, clean and shoot. If I told the truth about its accuracy you would call me a liar.