Favorite Firearms: A Marlin 39 Legacy

by
posted on January 14, 2025
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
grandfather with twin grandsons holding Marlin 39A
NRA member Donald E. Brandt (ctr.) with grandsons and a passed-down Marlin 38A rifle.
Photo courtesy of author.

I am standing here with my twin 17-year-old great-grandsons. Tyler, on the right, is holding a Marlin 39A rifle I bought as a 16-year-old in 1948 and have, at his request, gifted it to him. It is in excellent condition, retaining its original accuracy, with the stocks refinished by Turnbull. Matteo, on the left, is holding his 39A, which is in like-new condition. I gifted him this rifle as purchased at a gun show. I am holding a new, unfired 39A that, as fortune would have it, was manufactured in the same year as the one I purchased in 1948.

Both of these young men, as well as my two sons, have been brought up learning to shoot with my original 39A and have chosen the same model for their own .22 rimfires. We live on sufficient land to have rifle, pistol and trap ranges. Our family is a shooting family—sons, grandchildren and great-grandchildren all shoot if older than 6 years old.

My old 39A, with thousands of rounds through it, has served as early training and then recreational equipment, including hunting. I was a very proud teenager when I bought this rifle 77 years ago, and I expect (hope?) Tyler will get a chance to hand it down to his great-grandchild after another 77 years.

—Donald E. Brandt

Latest

smith & wesson performance center model 19 carry comp moss
smith & wesson performance center model 19 carry comp moss

Unlocking The Future: Smith & Wesson's "No Lock" Revolvers

The future is shaping up to be a good one for fans of Smith & Wesson revolvers. The iconic American company had released 14 new models thus far in 2025 at the time this was written mid-year. And, with one exception, they have all shared a common feature—no internal lock.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 6, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

FEMA Notes Decline In Disaster Preparedness

A recent report from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) noted a decline in local government preparedness for natural disasters, putting increased pressure on individuals to prepare themselves for emergencies.

Army Announces Type Classification Of New Infantry Rifle, Machine Gun

In May 2025, the U.S. Army’s Soldier Lethality Project at the Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey announced the official type classification of SIG Sauer’s M7 rifle and M250 automatic rifle, previously known as the XM7 and the XM250, respectively.

RXR22: Savage Arms Redefines The Budget Rimfire Rifle

Savage Arms has a long history of producing affordable and accurate rimfire rifles, but with its RXR22, the company is bringing a new level of affordability and modularity to rimfire rifle fans.

SARCO: A Lifetime Covered Up With Surplus Firearm Parts

When it comes to selling gun parts and gun-related military surplus, Charles “Cholly” Steen has been at it for longer than almost anyone. It all started when, as a 5-year-old, he began stashing odds and ends in the drawers of his clothes dresser.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.