Well, it is a very unique action. The lever is very solid, tight, no-play, and the trigger is the same. I enjoy shooting my 39A, but the action has a very different feel to it than other lever actions, Winchester 9422, Henry, etc. However, I very much enjoy it.

 

I"ve put quite a number of rounds through 39A's over the years and I can't say the lever has ever bothered my hand at all.

 

Steve,

When was the last time that you took the receiver apart and cleaned the insides?

The Action on my 39A is maybe a little bit stiffer than my Henry,, but not by much. In otherwords mine is pretty smooth.

However I've taken the receiver apart several time's on mine,, and use LSA on The Moveing Parts. If I didn't have any LSA,, then I personally would use a little Gun Grease on the Slideing Parts.

Without knowing,, it might just be grit and other small particle's between the Slideing Parts that is causeing the problem,
Joe:F

 

mine and alot of the later marlin levers are not as contured as the older ones were. I use a leather pad to keep my knuckles happy. this is one I made, but there are others that you can buy.

 

That leather pad looks great. If you can point me in the direction of where I can buy one I would appreciate it.

 

I found this one on Evil bay

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...XI7&GUID=c3d6450712b0a47a43c07550fffc354b&itemid=370115654014&ff4=263602_304652

it looks a little bulkier than Id like but definatly padded!

or try this one. scan way down to the holsters and leather section.

http://www.rlyguns.com/id25.htm

or these for about $10

http://www.maverickleather.net/id2.html

Good Luck DR

 

I think its just the way each individual works the lever. I have shot many rounds through the 39A, and the lever never bothered me at all either.

 

I have never had the issue with my Marlins or Winchesters. I would try one of those pads listed above. It seems like a good idea, and it certainly is cheap enough. I would treat the metal with Eezox before I put it on and if you are in a humid environment, I would take it off once a year to treat the metal.

 

The lever on mine was a bit stiff at first, but smoothed out after break-in. I've heard good things about Eezox but have never used it. I use Break Free CLP. Leaves a nice coating. Also like the feel of a lever wrap.

These guys make some pretty good products: http://www.kirkpatrickleather.com/product/h_blw.htm

 

I have always held and worked lever action rifles on the outside of the lever. I do not put my hand in the lever. Works fine and fills my hand like a pistol grip. This habit is probably left over from when I was a kid and was lucky enough to have a Red Rider BB gun. No kids I knew would crank there Daisy with fingers in the lever.

 

Ah, yes, the Daisy Red Ryder. As I remember, that was a hard cranking sucker. I couldn't cock mine without using my thumb in the lever.

 

Some folks thumb-cock 'em...it's a hair slower, but saves your fingers some grief.

Primarily, I'd clean the living daylights out of it...and polish all parts dealing with the lever.