Is it true you can't use high-velocity ammo in Marlin 39 rifles?

MD

MD

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I've got a new to me Marlin 39 and can't determine the age.

When I enter the serial number HS 175xx into the Marlin serial number site they say there is no such number.

Anyway; is it true that on some of these old guns you shouldn't use ammo like CCI Stingers?
 
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I've fired hyper-velocity stuff out of Cooey 39's, 75's, A little German "trapdoor" 22, ithaca lever rifles, Nylon 66's, etc and never had issues with pressure. What i did notice is that I haven't found a single hyper-velocity load that gives good accuracy, and I've tried everything I could get my hands on. As far as the "cheap" 22 stuff, I find regular velocity to be the best.
 
I cannot answer your exact question, but from reading online, it has more to do with the chamber. I believe that if it is a match chamber, it may not work properly. However, I do not believe that yours does have a match chamber, so it may be alright. Some guns I have also heard make mention in the manuals to 'NOT' use them in their guns. Being old and used, I cannot safely say as I am sure you do not have a manual. If it were me, I would honestly take a couple of minutes and just send Marlin an e-mail and ask them. They would know best.
 
Is it the Golden model?
Is there a stamp on the barrel . . . 22, S, L, and LR.

High velocity should function through. Stingers may be too long but it would not be used in mine. Never had a problem in 3 - 39's from the 50's, 70's and 80's.

Pictures always help . . .
 
horseman2 said:
Is it the Golden model?
Is there a stamp on the barrel . . . 22, S, L, and LR.

High velocity should function through. Stingers may be too long but it would not be used in mine. Never had a problem in 3 - 39's from the 50's, 70's and 80's.

Pictures always help . . .
Click to expand...


Spring2018%20013_zpsamhshsmw.jpg
 
That's definitely an old one based on the style of the lever and pistol grip. It's hard to tell from that picture how good the condition is but if it's decent you likely have a collectable old gun there!

Can you post a better picture?


Maybe hold off on the stingers till you know what you've got and what it's worth.... :)

The CCI warning regarding stingers is,
Use only in firearms having standard ANSI sporting barrel/chamber dimensions.
Click to expand...

Your gun is likely almost as old as ANSI which was founded in 1918..... :)
 
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Can-down said:
That's definitely an old one based on the style of the lever and pistol grip. It's hard to tell from that picture how good the condition is but if it's decent you likely have a collectable old gun there!

Can you post a better picture?


Maybe hold off on the stingers till you know what you've got and what it's worth.... :)

The CCI warning regarding stingers is,


Your gun is likely almost as old as ANSI which was founded in 1918..... :)
Click to expand...

It has a hexagon barrel that someone has drilled (poorly) two holes in front of and two holes behind the leaf sight presumably to scope it. It seems to have some aftermarket holes in the tang too. Front portion of the rifle is rustier than the rear.

I also cannot figure out why the serial # HS 175** does not register when I attempt to use the Marlin serial # site.


Spring2018%20014_zps4wxcrlr0.jpg
 
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The Hex barrels were on the earlier 39's, sounds like the HS was added to the serial numbers in 1932.... and that model ended around 1938

The model 39 came out in 1922. It was identical to the pistol grip, octagon barrel model 97. The 24” octagon barrel was all that was available. The rear of the pistol grip lever had the slight S curve to it where it met the lower tang as did the model 97. Top of the tangs were all marked Marlin/MOD 39. Some of the top tangs were also marked with a * which indicated that the gun was a near perfect as it could be.

Breech blocks were still made in the configuration as previously & were weak enough that breakage could occur if using Hi Speed ammo. These were identified by either no prefix to the serial number or a prefix of “S”.

In 1932 the machining was changed & it was then acceptable for & recommended to be used with Hi Speed ammo, the serial number prefix of HS was then added.

Magazine tubes were a carry over from the late 97 model.

The model 39 was made until 1939 when it was replaced by the model 39A.

Value for an all original model 39 in good or better condition would easily start in the $600-$700 range and go up from there based on exact condition.
Click to expand...

https://www.gunvaluesboard.com/marlin-39a-serial-128-367102.html
 
Well that's what the internet claims..... :)
High Speed in 1932 was definitely not "stingers" but it seems to jive with your notion that some of the earlier guns were a bit weaker?
 
It is something I read on another site discussing the Model 39.

Can-down said:
Well that's what the internet claims..... :)
High Speed in 1932 was definitely not "stingers" but it seems to jive with your notion that some of the earlier guns were a bit weaker?
Click to expand...
 
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