Help!: Marlin 39A

[Big Paulie]

Dear Folks,

   I am trying to clean a 25 year old Marlin Model 39A, .22 lever action, take-down model.  It is in very very good condition, but as best  I can tell, it has never been taken apart. (It is also filthy inside.)

   Could someone please send me a simple 1,2, 3 etc. e-mail, telling me the steps I should follow to take down this rifle?   I know I have to unscrew the big take down screw on the right hand side, but before I unscrew it, do I first put the hammer in full cock? or half cock? or down?, do I pull the lever all the way down, half way down, or leave it shut?, do I remove the magazine tube? etc. etc. 

  Thanks very much for any help. (Also, once all steps have been taken, should it just easily "come in half"? Or will I need to gently "tap" something?)

Best Regards,

Big Paulie   

[BIG JAKE]

First unscrew the take down screw, it won't come all the way out. Then place the barrel on a folded up towel on a table and tap the reciever in the center on the left side and that should do it.

[maroontoad]

If you want to clean the barrel, there is a little lock down screw for the ejector. I always grease the pivot points with rig +p after cleaning.