Swanys New 39AS FTF and FTE problems, and the FIXES

[swany]

Okay guys and gals, I finally got a newer 39A with rebounding hammer and cross bolt safety. It stank but looked good.

First thing a good cleaning, bolt face and internals normal filth nothing bad. I zeroed it today for 50yds drives tacks with CCI standard and very good with Fed bulk HPs, PMC zappers 1.5 inch groups. I had to remove the front locking ring on the BSA china scope to set the thing for 50 (double cross hairs and fuzzy) it now has one set of cross hairs and you can define bullet holes very easy.

The trigger yep you could pick the gun up with it, my gauge only goes to 72 oz it takes more to set it off.
It now is 2.5lbs just a little stoning and bending the trigger return spring.

FTF about 2 of 20 for any ammo. FTE or weak eject at least 3 for every 20. Sound familar? Not to me and my older 39s

Trigger job done.

Next the failure to fire. I removed the firing pin and looked at it close and seen the step in the pin where it is relieved inside the rim area, I stoned it down some more around .008 deeper. This allows the pin to strike harder.

Failure to eject, I put a round in the bolt and seen the extractor did not go in fully to the side of the case, this I simply pulled the extractor and spread the extractor end open a little with a screwdriver on my Leatherman Micra. Put it back in and it now grabs the rim on any brand at the rim and side of the case.

While I had it apart I relieved the rebounding struts lower end a little for better hammer strike.

Gentlmen, I just got back from my range test, 60 rds, CCI Standard velocity, Fed Bulk HPs, PMC Zappers.

All eject, whether slow or fast levering, all went off.

I do really like this gun now. Hope this helps.

[Nematocyst]

Hey, Swany, this is great! A thread devoted to these issues,
complete with Swany-certified repair suggestions. Sweet!

I'm here, and will be reading ... at work right now, but I'll be back.

Thanks for starting this. I predict much learning.

Nem

[Person]

This is great info to have!

Thanks,

Person

[Nematocyst]

Ok, back here after work to read more carefully.

Next the failure to fire. I removed the firing pin and looked at it close and seen the step in the pin
where it is relieved inside the rim area, I stoned it down some more around .008 deeper. This allows the pin to strike harder.

Ah. Got it. Makes good sense.

I'll try this in the next few days.

Thanks, Swany.

[swany]

Nemo, no need to drive the retainer all the way out. Be careful not to stone the outer area.

[jahfree]

...
I do really like this gun now. Hope this helps.

Thanks, Swany, excellent post. I have a question though. My 39A issue usually is a FTE after a FTF. And in most instances the case gets stuck in the bore. I can load the tube up with a bunch of rounds, then lever slow or fast (without firing) and they all eject. When I fire them, then either they Fire but then don't eject (sometimes) or they FTF AND FTE (usually the scenario). Also, I can fire a bunch of different ammo, and all is well for a while, then FTF and FTE. And yet the gun seems clean, and I do run a bore snake frequently while I am out with it.

I bought two each ejector and extractors to have around while I tinker, but haven't yet attempted to tackle it since it I am not sure what the exact problem is.

So, perhaps it is the firing pin issue you noted that is causing my gun to make me scream?

And, is Marlin aware of this 39A insanity, and has made some sort of statement?

[swany]

The failure to fire is the easy fix I tackled this in two parts by reducing the amount of rebound by grinding the lower part of the strut a few thousandths, but feel the relieving the inner area of the firing pin done the most good, and would likely solve the failure to fire by itself.

The failure to extract and eject was handled by spreading the upper area of the claw extractor so it would grip the case at the base and the sidewall at the same time. This took very little bending and could be easily overdone I got lucky on the first try. Mine was catching on the rim about half way to the case this caused the failure to eject and one failure to extract of 100 rounds but that was a PMC Zapper that had a very curious swollen case head after firing. The bending and fitting was done with the bolt out of the gun of course, I used a round with the bullet pulled, no powder and the priming mixture fouled with oil.

You have to remember that the 39A is Marlins top seller and sells so many with the new stamped steel extractors and as stated elsewhere it is very few that have problems. Mine did, but then I expected it when I bought it and wanted one to work on, the asking price was $230 and that seemed low for the shape of the gun. The seller took $200 for it rather quickly.

[Nematocyst]

The failure to extract and eject was handled by spreading the upper area of the claw extractor so it would grip the case at the base and the sidewall at the same time.

That makes so much sense.

The seller took $200 for it rather quickly.

Wow. You are one lucky dude, Swany.

[swany]

Not really bad when you consider it is a 2003, then consider I sold the Mountie to Barenjager for $275 and now have $125 plus gas in the 39A. Of course I do have to say he is a nice fella bought me dinner, when we made the deal.



I see many things they have done to cut costs compared to the older models first I noticed was the flat bbl crown. Next was the extractor that stamped piece of spring stock is made very cheap and I can see why they need adjusting.

[fecook]

With all of the problems I'm hearing about the 39 I have to wonder, can we still call this a good gun? I like a pretty weapon and all but if it is plagued with quality issues as well as FTF & FTE I wouldn't care if it was the Mona Lisa of 22's.