Browning SA-22 Info

roscoepc · Dec 16, 2020

I just finished up my Score of the Decade tonight when my wife brought home a Browning SA-22!! After clearing the rifle to put her in a safe condition the real preliminary inspection began!

First thing I found was a loose barrel! This rifle is a takedown model so after some tinkering and downloading the owners manual I figured out how to adjust the barrel properly for tightness! Next up was looking for the serial number so I could record it for safekeeping..

No luck finding it or the model which you would think would be stamped on the barrel at least???

According to Browning's website, manufacture was started in 1914 and through 1955 no serial numbers were available??

Could this be one of those manufactured during that time period?? If so this rifle is in Excellent Shape!!!

So that's the help/info I need: the location of the Serial number!!

I'll be doing a thorough breakdown/cleaning of her this weekend so I'll be doing a deeper look for the number. Any info or location suggestions are appreciated Greatly!!

Oh!! I almost forgot: She's a Belgium and Pic's are Forthcoming!!!

6518John · Dec 16, 2020

Is it a top loader? If not, it is not a 1914-55 gun.

How to date your Browning SA-22. - YouTube

roscoepc · Dec 16, 2020

Loads from the right side of the buttstock after removing the magazine rod from the rear of the stock, 10 round capacity, bottom ejection....

6518John · Dec 16, 2020

Watch the video. That will get you dialed in. It has a SN.

Sgt911 · Dec 16, 2020

If it has a rear sight wheel, good score. Good score regardless. I found one local, didn't know much about them, it had a sight wheel. I went home, researched, drove back and it was gone!

6518John · Dec 16, 2020

SGT—I think they are the most amazing 22 ever. Ours will fire/cycle everything from the CCI Quiet—which says on the box it likely won’t cycle most actions all the way up to the fancy-britches CCI HV stuff. I clean it about once a year whether it needs it or not. We LOVE it. My squirrel hunters do too! I bet my son shoots two or three bricks through it every 6 months to a year. He has a makeshift sling on it where it is slung and hung when he rides his big dirt bike everywhere. Way too nice of a gun to be hauled everywhere like that, but I suspect John Browning is looking down smiling.

roscoepc · Dec 16, 2020

6518John said:
Watch the video. That will get you dialed in. It has a SN.

That did the Trick!!

She was made in 1969!! Excellent video BTW!! Thanks Bunches!!

Edit: Funny you should mention the CCI Quiet ammo because that's part of what makes this my Score of the Decade!! I bought this from my Sister-in-Law who was wanting to get rid of it. I heard her talking to my wife and my ears perked up when the rifle mentioned and that she was selling it. I said How Much?? She said $200.00. I said "SOLD!!!!" before my wife could say anything!!!!

Anyway, she said she was giving me the ammo for it and brought out a fair sized box and said to get what I could find for it!! I'll run a full list later but it ranges from several boxes of the CCI Quiet to Mini-Mags to Browning to Winchester.....

I then saw the .22Mag ammo in there and asked about that and she said "Take it...."

That ranges from CCI Maxi-Mag to the Hornady Critical Defense ammo!!! I presently have a 7.62 ammo can filled to the Brim with assorted .22LR and Magnum ammo with a Winchester wooden Collectors box of 300 rounds that wouldn't fit in the ammo can!!!

Burt Reynolds would'a been Proud cuz I think I made out like a Bandit!!!!!

6518John · Dec 16, 2020

I hope you love yours and much as we do ours! (And take care of it better!). They are little treasures.

Sgt911 · Dec 16, 2020

6518John said:
SGT—I think they are the most amazing 22 ever. Ours will fire/cycle everything from the CCI Quiet—which says on the box it likely won’t cycle most actions all the way up to the fancy-britches CCI HV stuff. I clean it about once a year whether it needs it or not. We LOVE it. My squirrel hunters do too! I bet my son shoots two or three bricks through it every 6 months to a year. He has a makeshift sling on it where it is slung and hung when he rides his big dirt bike everywhere. Way too nice of a gun to be hauled everywhere like that, but I suspect John Browning is looking down smiling.

I do have a new manufactured one. Beautiful little rifle.

NYlakesider · Dec 17, 2020

Enjoy you little gun.

When I was about 15 I saved up all money I made working around the neighborhood and bought a new rifle like that. Still have it though I do not shoot it as much as I used to. Got it in 1962 or 63. No sales tax, no forms to fill out, the gun cost about $55 then and the dealer gave me a couple bucks off and a box of bullets. FWIW serial number was on the bottom of the barrel,

vt_shooter · Dec 17, 2020

Make sure when you take it down you don't hold one hand on the pistol grip and the other around the barrel and fore end when you twist it - instead keep one hand on the receiver and the other on the barrel and fore end when you twist. I've heard of people splitting the stock with the twisting motion if it's held by the pistol grip. Nice gun, I have one made in 1972 and love it.

CAJUNLAWYER · Dec 17, 2020

I've got a well used SA-22 that I love. neat handy little guns

nutsforsmiths · Dec 17, 2020

I boight a Belgian made one a few years back. Great rifle!

3 things to be aware of.with these:

1. When taking down the rifle, make sure you rotate it with your hand on the receiver and not the stock. I've read that by rotating by the stock over time it can crack where.the stock fits to the receiver.

2. With the bottom case ejecting, make sure to.wear shoes and long pants. Those empties are hot and I've had them hit my foot when ejecting!

3. I have also heard that the take down button can fly off if messing around with it when the rifle is already apart. I have not aeen this happen, but have talked to others who have. Just be aware of it.

They are nice 22a for sure. Enjoy it!

Mike SC Hunter · Dec 17, 2020

Got mine in 1968 for $75.00. Blond wood Belgian. I too use to wrap it in a towel and tie it on my bike...Long ago.......Still have it.
Notice how petite those walnut and steel rifles were from long ago. Such as the SA22/9422/Win 61-62/Remington mdl 12/Marlin 39? Today's .22's have the girth Of a 20 ga shotgun(think Ruger 10/220).

NYlakesider · Dec 17, 2020

nutsforsmiths said:
I boight a Brlgian made one a few years back. Great rifle!

3 things to be aware of.with rhese:

1. When taking down the rifle, make sure you rotate it with your hand on the receiver and not the stock. I've read that by rotating by the stock over time it can crack where.the stock fits to the receiver.

2. With the bottom case ejecting, make sure to.wear shoes and long pants. Those empties are hot and I've had them hit my foot when ejecting!

3. I have also heard that the take down button can fly off if messing around with it when the rifle is already apart. I have not aeen this happen, but have talked to others who have. Just be aware of it.

They are nice 22a for sure. Enjoy it!

Never knew about that and I have taken the gun down hundreds of times by stock.

Thanks, will do it by receiver now!

Wyo · Dec 17, 2020

I have an old “wheel sight” rifle that is in wonderful shape so I don’t hunt with it a lot - some, but not often. Then I found another Belgian gun with some dings, and that became my go to .22. Love ‘em! Some folks scope ‘em. I get that but it seems almost sacreligious given their otherwise slim design. One other piece of advice - along with wearing pants and shoes, do NOT wear long sleeves. Empties will go right into the cuffs and cause unpleasantness. Ask me how I know that.

Sgt911 · Dec 17, 2020

Wyo said:
I have an old “wheel sight” rifle that is in wonderful shape so I don’t hunt with it a lot - some, but not often. Then I found another Belgian gun with some dings, and that became my go to .22. Love ‘em! Some folks scope ‘em. I get that but it seems almost sacreligious given their otherwise slim design. One other piece of advice - along with wearing pants and shoes, do NOT wear long sleeves. Empties will go right into the cuffs and cause unpleasantness. Ask me how I know that.

If they made one with a synthetic stock, matt finish, and a threaded barrel, that would be nice. I think I would scope that one. Mine is just too pretty to mess with.

Mike SC Hunter · Dec 17, 2020

Years ago they they made a satin one with half round half octagon barrel with laminated gray stocks...........SADLY I couldn't afford it at the time.

LoboGunLeather · Dec 17, 2020

Darn it! Here I am trying to downsize, giving lots of the excess stuff to the grandkids, and along comes a post showing one of those things I always wanted but never had.

Maybe I have enough self control left to keep me from actively looking for one.

Sgt911 · Dec 17, 2020

LoboGunLeather said:
Darn it! Here I am trying to downsize, giving lots of the excess stuff to the grandkids, and along comes a post showing one of those things I always wanted but never had.

Maybe I have enough self control left to keep me from actively looking for one.

You do not. life is short, but in this case, long rifle.

Browning SA-22 Info

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