I saw a neat .22 lever rifle the other day, a Browning BL-22. Handled it, very light and compact, high gloss metal and wood, seems like a high quality piece.

Anyone here own one? How do they shoot? The serial number on this one is 07067NW2xx, any idea when it was made? Potential value? It does have "Made in Japan" on it.

Thanks,

Canoeguy

I own one. They shoot great. The triggers ain't all that great. The scope mount grooves are too skimpy. The buttstock comb is too high for me to use the iron sights comfortably, and I don't like the rear folding sight. The rifle is a pain to take apart too.

The BLR-22 really is a good little rifle, it's just that I really like a couple other brand .22 lever-guns better.

They are everything Stevie said. I've had one for about 20 years. Lots of fun to shoot. The cool factor is very high. As accurate a gun that light can be. I never seem to use it for anything but plinking. When I seriously want to hit something with a .22, I opt for my 39A or 10/22.

Short throw lever action. Just a flick of the lever and you're ready. Similar in size to a Marlin Mountie. I see them $300-400 range, sometimes more.

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God spelled backwards is dog.

I sold one two years ago for $375......Really a good looking gun.

I still have my M39 Marlin. It will go to my grandson.

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Regards,
Windjammer

Well, I think I'm going to make a move on this one. If it shoots as good as it looks, I'll be happy.

The price is in line with what you guys are saying, I saw two at a gun show last weekend, one was priced at $799, the other $999, and they look no different than the one I handled today. I guess the gun show guys were being "Optimistic"...

A Belgian made one would likely be priced substantialy higher than a Japanese made version. No real functional difference between the two. Belgian made guns may have better wood.

We own one and love it. Shortest lever throw of any lever gun I've seen. Something like 33 degrees, I think.

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"DEO VINDICE"

There was a Belgian BL-22? I think it came out in 1969, made in Japan.

Yep..you are right. Just looked in my 'Gun Trader's Guide'. Made 1970 on by Miroku. Must have been thinking of the BLR.

I have a BL22 Deluxe that I bought new 30 years ago. Mine has brought in hundreds of squirrels and rabbits for the frying pan. I have a 4X Bushnell scope on and find it very accurate. Shoots shorts and long rifles without a hitch. The main feature is the short lever throw, just a flick of the wrist and the next round is ready to go allowing very fast follow up shots without removing the butt from your shoulder.

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- Change it back -

I worked at Browning's Gunsmithing Facility in Arnold, MO, there is no such thing as a Belgian BL-22. They are very well made .22's and shoot well, the lever throw is the shortest of any lever action .22. The no longer made Redfield 3/4" 4X scope makes an excellent set up, the 3/4" scope is in proper proportion and looks just right, pity they're no longer made.

A BL-22 was my first "new" firearm purchase, and one of the few ever come to think of it. I usually buy used firearms. I paid $115 for it in 1976 and my only regret is I didn't spring the extra $10 for the Deluxe version.

Great little guns. That one and the Winchester94/22 are perhaps the finest little 22 lever actions made

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Forum consigliere

The rifle is a pain to take apart too.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

You will probably die from old age, before you get it put back together. Ask me how I know.

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NRA Instructor

I will admit that the design of the BL-22 is somewhat less than straightforward when it comes to disassembly and assembly, but armed with a set of disassembly and assembly instructions (NOT an exploded diagram, mind) the BL-22 is way more easier to work on than a Remington Nylon 66, IMO. The Gun Digest Rimfire Rifle Assembly and Disassembly book by J B Wood provides an excellent photo-illustrated how-to for takedown of a BL-22 and dozens of other 22 rifles.

I've owned two BL-22s (since sold one) and they are accurate and exceptionally reliable. I cannot recall a single FTF or FTE in either rifle, and they have certainly digested 1000s of rounds of various flavors of 22LR ammo between them. The short throw makes the rifle, IMO. You can keep your thumb on the stock wrist and flick the lever with your fingers all the while keeping the sights on the target.

My only complaint with the BL-22? The action is SO fast, the rifle empties itself almost as soon as I get the mag tube loaded!

Noah

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Nicht mehr als 30 Zeichen

Noah, you must have one of the updated ones . . . I have to actually pull the trigger on mine to empty it.

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- Change it back -

I've made arrangements to pick up the rifle on Monday, I'll post pictures and a range report....

Canoeguy

Sir,
Is there any chance you remember how to get the BL-22 back together. I had heard for years that it was trouble, but had no idea how much. I reluctantly tore it down for a thorough cleaning. Before I could see how things were arranged, well sounds like you know how this story ends. It appears as if everything is reassembled correctly but something is off. Not sure if you can help, but I appreciate the advise if you can.
Many Thanks, Jason A. Saunders

I am sure you already found the fix to your rifle, but in case you didn't, let me know. I have a BL22 and I may be able to help you.
It can be difficult to assemble and there are several parts that can just fall out before you know it.

Interesting, I thought all of the BL-22's were made by Miroku; learn something new every day. I can't add anything about the rifle, I've never had one, don't even think I've ever fired one. As much as I like .22's, though, I'd probably pick one up if one came along at the right price.

I came across this when I googled the dis-assembly. If anyone has a link that works I'd sure appreciate it, I can't seem to pull up anything correctly.
I'm wanting to re-finish the stock and forearm. Got the stock off, got the pin out of the forearm, the screw out of the barrel/magazine band.
Now, how to get the magazine tube off so the forearm can come free ?
Thanks,
Steve in Beaufort, SC

Howdy,
I think they are nice rifles.
For you fellows having trouble with assembly of the BL-22 it is covered in the GUN DIGEST BOOK OF RIMFIRE RIFES.
I can't vouch for the info on the BL-22 but data published in the book made the Nylon 66 as easy as pie to detail strip and reassemble. I expect the BL-22 data is as good.
Good luck with your new rifle.
Mike

I had the choice of the Browning, the Marlin, and the Henry. I went Henry. I chose wrong. Wish I had flipped a coin between the BL 22 and the 39A.

MaxBob, the Marlin is a much heavier rifle than the BL-22. BL is a real handy rifle in my H.Op.

I've had my BL22 for many years. I "loaned" it to a friend that thought it was cool to dry-fire constantly while walking in the woods for a few hours. The firing pin had enough of that. The forearm pin is slightly tapered and a one-way affair. My 'smith can tell you that after putting the new firing pin in and having to buy a new barrel band that snapped due to the tapered pin direction being incorrect. The bad was no fault of the gun. I've had some lucky shots and put a fair bit of game on the stove with mine. The stuff that previous fellas counted as negative, I see as positives....ie, the rear flip sight. It is very sleek and fast and is perfect for what it was designed for. A light, small lever-gun that can be carried all day if you have to. Buy it and enjoy the heck out of it!

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Go big or stay home

I've owned 3 of them over the years and now i have only
one. It's a grade 2 model with the minor scribbling/engraving
on the sides of the reciever. I did'nt go out looking for the
grade two but this gun came up at a small auction and i bought
it for 350 bucks. It was also sporting an early 4 power Weaver
scope which is just perfect for this fine little lever gun.
Like others, i've loved my shooting/hunting times with the BL22
and would highly recommend them to others. Fun little guns.
Browning also offers a Micro BL22 that has a 16" barrel.
If i get a chance i'm picking one of these up for a truck gun.
Make sure you post pictures when you get your rifle.
The wood on these little lever actions can really be quite
gorgeous for what they are.

Chuck

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They hold no Quarter

I own one from a 70's pawn deal for $50. The firing pin broke in the 80's and I put it in the closet. A couple of years ago I found it and called Browning. They told me to send it in and they would look at it. It came back in about three weeks with a new stock (the old one didn't match the forearm) all cleaned up (looks new again) and ready to shoot. Charge on the work order including shipping was $0.00!

I had one which for some reason I traded off about 35 years ago. I still kick my butt every day over that.

One of my gunshow buddies likes me and thinks I need to buy every gun he sells out of his private collection. He has good stuff and if I don't jump at the first price he keeps dropping $ until I have no choice.

He forced a nice shooter grade BL22 on me a couple shows ago for $320. I already had a couple.

I got on a bar22 kick a few years ago and bought 3 of them, a straight stock semi auto, a pistol grip s-auto and a .22 pump. Browning advertised them as "man sized .22s". Only on the market for a few years in late 70/80s and all Miroku made.

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God spelled backwards is dog.

Gene splicing is easier than working on a Remington Nylon 66, IMO.

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I need ammo, not a ride.

A LGS had a BL-22 with Maple stock on the rack for months. Sorry I didn't buy it.

I really like the light color Maple wood.

Instead I bought a 1956 vintage Marlin 39A from a friend. It's a great rifle, perhaps better than the BL-22.

What I really should have done is bought both.

I have grade II 24" octagon. Its a squirrel getter for sure. Pic show what I consider the 3 best lever action 22's ever made. Browning BLR...Winchester 9422 and Marlin 1897T(39)

Attached Images

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S&W Accumulator

I've had one for 40 years. It will feed anything. Shorts, shot loads, CB's, anything. Very accurate. Not to hard to take apart.

Two of my friends have the BL-22. They both love them. I have shot both and they are great little guns. I once had a Winchester 9422 and sold it. Dumb, dumb, dumb! I did pick up a Marlin 39 Centennial 1870-1970 in the late '80s. I love the octagon barrel and the straight stock.

One of the BL-22 owners bought his in about 1974. He had shot my other friend's Browning and decided he wanted one too. He lived outside of Birmingham and I was visiting him before we went back to college. The Sears, Roebuck and Co store in downtown B'ham had one, so he went and looked at it. The clerk couldn't find the box, so Bill paid for the rifle and we walked out of the store with him carrying the .22 over his shoulder. Nowadays, somebody would have called the SWAT team.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

But what about the putting back together?

I've had one for a few years (it's one of my favorite rifles), and still never disassembled it. I've watched a few YT videos, but it looks somewhat daunting, and that's what's kept me from it. I've only given it a superficial cleaning, and I need to do a detailed scrubbing of the insides.

Do you have any hints or special tricks for reassembly? Any info would be appreciated!

Have fun brick after brick with that Browning.
I almost bought one this weekend but was led astray buy a 9422.

Quick question: of the books mentioned for lever gun dis/reassembly plus care etc etc, will they cover the Winchester Miroku M92 and M94 as well as the Winchester 9422 ?

Thanks OP and all !

Of all the lever guns I've ever owned, the BL22 ranks at the top of the heap. It makes a great .22 for young and old. Slick, short action, solid design, quality. Take care of it and it'll last for generations to come.

First time I pulled mine apart was a piece of cake. The difficulty in putting it back together... was a different story. A dob of assembly grease behind the ejector spring is what worked for me.

Here's a video from mixup98. You can watch him stumble through the process his way.
YouTube

Or follow the advice of one of his commentators:

Strutingeagle
1 year ago (edited)
Putting them back together is the easiest thing to do. You go about it all wrong and don't line it up properly before sliding the receiver together.

Put a dab of grease on the bottom of the ejector spring to hold it in place.

Tip the gun upside down and put ejector on its pin. The next step is key to making it easy. While the gun is upside down and on half cock, slide the lower receiver with the bolt installed on top of it together, so you are sliding the top of the bolt against the top of the inside of the receiver and just slide it straight in.

You don't have to hold the ejector as the cut on the bolt will automatically line up on the ejector and viola. You will get it right the first time every time I guarantee.