SB Rifle, Marlin 39A or Browning BL22?

[aliascraig]

I wanted to get myself a small bore rifle for shooting rimfire metallic silhouette matches. I was contemplating purchasing either a marlin 39A or as Browning BL22 (one of the new rifles made by Miroku/Japan. From what I have read it seems to be advised to stay away from the new Marlin rifles, the ones manufactured by Remington. Any ideas when they took over. The other rifle is the new Browning. They appear to be well made, actions work well, look rather impressive but there seems to be some question as to accuracy out of the new Browning’s. Not many people have nice things to say about that.

Anyhow I just wanted to get the boards opinion on both of these rifles. I usually prefer to buy new rifles as I hate purchasing used guns over the internet. Everyone claims to have a rifle in excellent conditions. Some tell the truth and some outright lie.

Many thanks in return.

Craig

[44 mag]

Craig, This is just my 2 cents. When my wife and I first started doing this she wanted A browning so I got her one. The triggers are very bad and it is like reinventing the wheel to get them acceptable. After shooting it for 2 years it cost me about $200 in parts to make it work rite again. They are nice guns with ok accuratcy but they just dont hold up to the amount of rounds you need to shoot in this game. Next is the 39a as i would stay away from the new ones the older ones say from the 50's to the 70's are great. They shoot very well and the triggers are very easy to work on as well as all other parts. We have since switched my with to one and she loves it. God luck and welcome. Mike

[Tlee]

Definitely the Marlin 39A, IF you can find one at least 5-6 years old.
Might also consider the Henry H001T (the blue Octagon version). Takes a Williams FP-GR on its rail and a 17AUG on the front. Golden Boy is another consideration, but you'd need a tang sight for it on the rear (no receiver groove for the FP-GR).

-Tim

[jnyork]

Get a nice older Marlin 39a, the ones without the rebounding hammer and the safety, pre-1988 or so, readily available for around $400-450 for a nice one. Marbles tang sight and Lyman 17a, you're ready to rock 'n roll.

[cslcAl]

I agree, get one made between '78 and '87. They started using a little larger diameter barrel about '78 and they really hold nice. I would not buy any 39A with a cross bolt saftey as they have the rebounding feature. Al

[PhxShooter]

I purchased 2 new 39A's with the crossbolt safety and rebounding hammer. One in '08 and one in '09. Five minutes to remove the lower leg of the rebound strut on each and problem solved. No more rebounding hammer and no more failure to fire. They're very accurate but I had a problem with one extracting "good" ammo with that stupid little paperclip extractor. Replaced them with the old style extractors from the late 60's to early 70's and they now extract everything!

I can't remember when the 39A's were last produced in the Marlin factory but if you get one at least 2-3 years old, they're very easy to fix and if you can get one new in the box, you're not buying someone else's problem. They go for $550 - $700 new on GunBroker. I would not buy one manufactured after Remington took over.

[Another Dang 9]

Why limit yourself to just those two guns... I have a henry golden boy and love it. Got it at walmart for $235 I think they are up to $350 now.

[aliascraig]

Thanks for everyone's replies.

It looks like the Marlin is the way to go. I will keep my eye out for a good used one. I am actually based in Australia so it is not as easy to come across one here as it is in the US however they do come up secondhand.

Kind Regards,

Craig.