Marlin 39A questions. .

Truckeic · February 21, 2017, 01:20 PM

OK I have a buddy's 39A that is missing the bolt. I have found someone with a bolt. This rifle is 1965 model. So how hard is will it be to fit the bolt and set headspace on this rifle?
I am bidding on a 1952 model which also needs a bolt .. so guess answer to first question would answer this one too.. how hard to fit bolt and headspace.

Also wanted you guys opinion...
Both of these have some surface rust on barrel .. stocks are not perfect . But bores look good.
So with that would it be best to leave as is or restore?

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Pathfinder45 · February 21, 2017, 01:40 PM

I would use 0000 very fine steel wool on the rust and follow up with Break-Free CLP.

Blindstitch · February 21, 2017, 05:26 PM

Exactly what he said.

Truckeic · February 21, 2017, 06:17 PM

Nobody on the bolt question..

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bipe215 · February 23, 2017, 07:10 AM

Google search turned this up: Headspace on a 22 is the gap from the bolt face to the back of the chamber where the cartridge rim rests. The acceptable range of this gap is .042" to .049". Ammunition rim thickness varies from .037" to .044". if the gap is too excessive the case may not be supported and could possibly bulge or rupture. What can also happen is the firing pin may not be able to reach the case or hit it hard enough for reliable ignition if the headspace is excessive. If the headspace is too tight it may compress the rim enough to ignite the cartridge.

[IMG]

g.willikers · February 23, 2017, 08:02 AM

The real important question here is how do folks lose the bolts?
It's easy to see how a small part could go missing, but the bolt?
Curious minds want to know.

shootbrownelk · February 23, 2017, 08:16 AM

I knew an old timer back in Wisconsin who used to pull the bolts out of his rifles supposedly to thwart thieves. When he got into his late 80's he forgot where he hid them. He hid each of them in a different place. However....nobody Stole his guns...LOL.

rr2241tx · February 24, 2017, 12:58 PM

Good luck. For my money, I'd buy a working rifle and pass on one with a missing bolt.

RKG · February 24, 2017, 02:11 PM

I'm pretty sure every Marlin lever gun I've ever worked on had the rifle's serial number scribed on the bolt. This implies that bolts had to be hand fitted, either for operation or headspace or both.

Now the bulk of my observations have been 94s, 95s and 336s, so I can't be sure that the same was true of the couple (at most) of 39As I've looked at over the years.

February 21, 2017, 01:20 PM	#1
Truckeic Member Join Date: January 6, 2016 Location: Hickory NC Posts: 54	Marlin 39A questions. . OK I have a buddy's 39A that is missing the bolt. I have found someone with a bolt. This rifle is 1965 model. So how hard is will it be to fit the bolt and set headspace on this rifle? I am bidding on a 1952 model which also needs a bolt .. so guess answer to first question would answer this one too.. how hard to fit bolt and headspace. Also wanted you guys opinion... Both of these have some surface rust on barrel .. stocks are not perfect . But bores look good. So with that would it be best to leave as is or restore? Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

February 23, 2017, 08:02 AM	#6
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	The real important question here is how do folks lose the bolts? It's easy to see how a small part could go missing, but the bolt? Curious minds want to know. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

February 24, 2017, 12:58 PM	#8
rr2241tx Senior Member Join Date: August 2, 2007 Location: The Great State of Taxes Posts: 267	Good luck. For my money, I'd buy a working rifle and pass on one with a missing bolt. __________________ rr2241tx

February 21, 2017, 01:40 PM	#2
Pathfinder45 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Posts: 3,224	I would use 0000 very fine steel wool on the rust and follow up with Break-Free CLP.

February 21, 2017, 05:26 PM	#3
Blindstitch Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2013 Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Posts: 2,693	Exactly what he said.

February 21, 2017, 06:17 PM	#4
Truckeic Member Join Date: January 6, 2016 Location: Hickory NC Posts: 54	Nobody on the bolt question.. Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

February 23, 2017, 07:10 AM	#5
bipe215 Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 2008 Posts: 122	Google search turned this up: Headspace on a 22 is the gap from the bolt face to the back of the chamber where the cartridge rim rests. The acceptable range of this gap is .042" to .049". Ammunition rim thickness varies from .037" to .044". if the gap is too excessive the case may not be supported and could possibly bulge or rupture. What can also happen is the firing pin may not be able to reach the case or hit it hard enough for reliable ignition if the headspace is excessive. If the headspace is too tight it may compress the rim enough to ignite the cartridge. [IMG]

February 23, 2017, 08:16 AM	#7
shootbrownelk Senior Member Join Date: August 27, 2013 Location: Wyoming Posts: 329	I knew an old timer back in Wisconsin who used to pull the bolts out of his rifles supposedly to thwart thieves. When he got into his late 80's he forgot where he hid them. He hid each of them in a different place. However....nobody Stole his guns...LOL.

February 24, 2017, 02:11 PM	#9
RKG Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2009 Location: Boston Posts: 562	I'm pretty sure every Marlin lever gun I've ever worked on had the rifle's serial number scribed on the bolt. This implies that bolts had to be hand fitted, either for operation or headspace or both. Now the bulk of my observations have been 94s, 95s and 336s, so I can't be sure that the same was true of the couple (at most) of 39As I've looked at over the years.