Even as a kid, the Marlin Model 39 rifle always seemed to be the benchmark of everything which is right in a .22 rimfire. Back then, .22’s of decent quality could be had for around $100 while the Marlin Model 39 went for over three times that amount. I was around several of them in my youth, but it wasn’t until years later that I acquired my first Model 39.

The Model 39 got its start as the Marlin Model 1891, which was the first lever-action rifle ever produced in .22 Long Rifle. Although the Winchester Model 1873 was being offered in .22 Long in 1884, the .22 Long Rifle cartridge debuted in 1887.

The Marlin 1891 was an instant favorite for small game hunters and exhibition shooters. After undergoing a few slight design changes, including changing to a front-loading tube magazine, the 1891 eventually became the 1897, which eventually became the Model 39.

In March of 1893, Phoebe Ann Moses — aka Annie Oakley — firing offhand, put 25 shots into a single, ragged hole at a distance of 12 yards in just 27 seconds. Her shooting exploits in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show with Marlin lever-action .22-caliber rifles no doubt helped sell many of their rimfire rifles worldwide.

In 1903, Marlin Firearms Co. of New Haven, Connecticut, presented Annie Oakley with a highly engraved and gold-inlaid Model 1897 rifle. Her likeness was displayed in Marlin firearms ads for years to come, and in appreciation a second highly ornate rifle was presented to Oakley in 1906.

The Model 39 as we know it today was released in 1921. The beloved straight-grip “Mountie” version was released in 1954. It was sometime in the 1950s that Marlin switched to the legendary Micro-Groove rifling system, which has proven to be stellar in the accuracy department.

The large screw on the right side of the receiver enables takedown for storage and cleaning, and facilitates clearing of a jam if necessary. Under the long 24-inch barrel resides a tube magazine which holds 25+1 rounds of .22 short, 20+1 rounds of .22 Long, or 18+1 rounds of .22 Long Rifle. The side-ejection action port allows the easy addition of a scope where desired.

Until production ceased in 2007, the Model 39 held the record for longest run in American history, 116 years of continuous production. It is generally believed that between 1922 and 2007, some 2.2 million of these rifles were made and sold.

Although Ruger has since acquired the Marlin Firearms Co. and is offering such legendary designs as the Marlin 336, 1894 and 1895, there has been no mention of adding the Model 39 to the lineup. To fail to do so would be an enormous mistake, in my opinion.

If you have a Model 39, treasure it. They are one of the best-selling guns of all time for good reason. They are reliable, accurate and just plain fun. If I were reduced to a single rifle in .22 LR, the Model 39 would get the nod without a second of hesitation. Mine is not only the best .22 sporting rifle I own but was a gift from a dear friend. It doesn’t get any more special than that.

Do you own a Model 39? Write to us at shootingthebreezebme@gmail.com and check us out on Facebook!