Cast&Blast

My year old but almost never fired Marlin 39A .22 rifle is in Marlin's hands. It would cycle unfired rounds no problem, but almost every fired round gets stuck in the chamber. Marlin will make it right, and it won't cost me anything. But I was disappointed to find out how long it's taking.

They have a neat feature where you can track your repair online. Well, two weeks after first seeing that it was 'received and logged in' with no other progress I gave them a call. They said they are running about 30 to 45 days.

It's going to be a lot of fun on my new back yard range, so I'm anxious to get it back and working properly. Luckily I am picking up another .22 today that will be tons of fun plinking in the meantime! (Watch the D/A revolver forum for details!)

By the way, on recommendations from people here I did try different ammos to make sure it wasn't just a finnicky rifle. Same results.

sheepdog

...Marlin's kinda like a lady...when it's good, it's real good...when it's bad, it'll drive you nuts...I've had .22s, .30-.30s, .35s, .44s, .357s.....probably 10-12 in my life...only had one that had their "trademark" feed problem...that's a great track record...I don't mind working it out...I ain't perfect, neither!!! When you get that rifle de-bugged, it'll serve you and your grandkids well...I've heard Marlin's service and quality are already improving since coming under the ownership of Remington...

Cast&Blast

Yeah I've already been pleased with the customer service, and this is not my first interaction with them. I'm just antsy to get it back because it's a fun rifle and I finally have a place where I can shoot it often! But, better to let them take their time and make sure it's right when I get it back.

sheepdog

...I had a country uncle who had one...musta shot it a million times...he really loved that rifle...I think it'd take something like 25 shorts to fill it...I had the shorter Mountie...a great .22...you're in for some fuuuuuuuuuun times....maybe while you're waitin', you could post some Winnie pics for us....

tx gun runner

I had a 22 bolt gun that did the same thing . I put 0000 steel wool on a 22 cleaning brush and chucked it up in a low speed drill with a old cleaning rod I cut down and polished the chamber , being careful not to go too deep to damage the throat . Now if the chamber is too large and you fire a round in it . The rims edge get smaller or kind of disappears , the extractor has little to hook on too or the head space is too large will do the same thing . My guess Marlin is putting a new barrel on it because of the head space or over size chamber . It took Ruger almost 3 months to rebarrel and replace cylinders in my 2 Vaquero's , but they came back perfect .

Cast&Blast

If it wasn't brand new I would maybe try some different things, but I just decided to let them make it right. Like Sheepdog suggests, what's another month when I'll end up with a rifle that will last a lifetime?

Bountyhunter

It'll be great when you get it back. You'll have to post pics of the new 22. I want a DA 22.

Snuffy

One of the shooters at my club has one and boy does it get fired alot everyone to include me loves it. Theyare a dream to shoot.

tx gun runner

I don't think there is a finder gun ever made . This one is in new condition and will never be for sale unless I'm dead .

chinquapin

tn,
I have one just like that, same vintage!
It is a shooting machine! Especially on squirrels.

sheepdog

...the 39A was long for my tastes...but I sure have loved the Mounties...lookin' for a good one now...last one I saw was 4 years ago...$279 and a badly cracked stock...I know I'll find a clean one...Marlin was a smooth machine back then....

Cast&Blast

Okay about a month since I've sent it back the status on my repair has finally changed:

Your repair status:
6/12/2009 Repairman is in the process of servicing the firearm/part.

So maybe it won't be long now! I'm excited to get it back, particularly since my range is set up and is so much fun.

Bountyhunter

You'll have a blast with it when you get it back!

Cast&Blast

Okay we're getting close! I called them to see what's going on and she rattled off a bunch of stuff they've done to it and said it's in final inspection! So I'll be getting it back shortly.

I wish I could remember what she rattled off. Partial list was polished the chamber, something with the extractor, something about a cartridge cutoff and something else (sorry I know I'm an idiot!), and replaced the stock because it was cracked inside the receiver. All under warranty, this thing should be like new when I get it!

Johngoboom

Sweet...You're going to be good as new. Sounds like you got a lemon to begin with, but they are making it right.

Cast&Blast

Yeah I'm not sure whether to be excited about how much work they're doing to it, or disappointed that so much needed to be done to it!

Regardless, it's better than them saying, 'we couldn't find anything wrong with it' and sending it back unfixed after a month.

Johngoboom

It's a sad fact of life, but when a companies produces that many of any one widget, there is bound to be a few with sub par quality that go to market.

Machinist

Few things have as good a reputation as that Marlin. I have a Browning BL-22 and that is the only rifle I might have preferred over it.

Cast&Blast

Your repair status:
6/16/2009 The Firearm has been shipped.

sheepdog

...I just hope she got my address right....