Although I spent many hours poring over the 1965 Marlin catalog, sipping coffee and listening to Gordon Light foot, my attention was always directed at either the Model 336 (a real deer rifle) or the modern (and modernistic) short-throw Levermatic Model 57 .22 Long Rifle. I doubt that I ever cast more than a glance at the pages extolling the virtues of the Model 39A.
To my callow and untutored eye, the 39A was both old-fashioned and ungainly. The barrel was too long, the action too small, and the overly generous forend seemed out of proportion. It vaguely resembled the lever actions of the television westerns, but not in a way I would like. I never gave it a second thought.
Today, the Model 57 I so admired has been consigned to the scrap heap of history, discontinued in 1965 as an intriguing concept that didn’t work out, while the old Model 39A is still with us, still being made (albeit as a custom proposition) and, while a used Model 57 sells for relative peanuts even to its minor cult following, Model 39 variations are collector’s items that sell for good money, sometimes big money. Obviously, a lot of people knew a lot more than I did about what was a good rifle and what was not.
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Denne historien er fra May - June 2020-utgaven av Rifle.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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CIMARRON .32-20 Short Rifle & Carbine
In the heyday of Winchester Repeating Arms Company lever guns, it offered muskets, standard rifles, short rifles and saddle ring carbines.
Remington's Model 722 and .222 Cartridge
It's easy enough to define what a varmint is, those pesky critters that tear up pastures, flower beds and all kinds of expensive crops people need for various reasons - most importantly, to make a living and/or something with which to feed themselves.
Coyote Bullets
What is Best for You?
Remington's 5mm Rimfire Magnum
Shooting a Classic
Winchester's New Wildcat
The Ultralight Rimfire Varmint Rifle
.223 Remington from .30-30 Winchester?
Multitasking for Varmints
LOADS FOR A .22 TCM
The .22 TCM first appeared commercially in 2012, chambered in a Rock Island Armory 1911-style handgun.
Everybody Loves Velocity
The 4,500-fps WSSM Project
A BOLT-ACTION FRANCHI 224 VALKYRIE
Testing New Loads
.22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire
Shooting Revolvers