Browning 22 rifles?

[JayFramer]

Well how yall doin tonight? Was at the LGS today and they had whats known as a Browning 22 rifle in there:

Looks real purdy and comes apart (takedown). Priced at $599 in real good shape and knowin the guy I’m sure he’ll go a lot lower as I’m a regular.

Is the Browning 22 a good semi rifle? They sure is purty, that’s for sure. But are they any good? Would be for crik plinkin and squirrel and bunny bustin.

Thoughts?

 

[44specialfan]

And a good evening to you as well. Yes they are absolutely a fine rife. Pretty light but certainly accurate and reliable. Don’t know if your picture is of the actual rifle or not. Be sure to do a google/yahoo search and understand the only issue I’m aware of with them ... the improper curing of the wood in some of the stocks referred to as ‘salt stocks’ otherwise they are a very handy .22. PS ... watch placement of your hand when firing as those cases are warm when ejected!

 

[D Brown]

I have one of the Brownings made by Norinco. It's one of my favorite .22 rifles. I also have a Browning BL-22. Again, one of the best .22's I own.

Oops! I meant to say these rifles were made by MIROKU in Japan. That's what I get for trying to rely on my faulty memory.

 

[DWMartin]

I'm not an expert but the older Belgium made models are usually worth more money and are collectible. The newer models are made in Japan but still very nice rifles. Perfect for crik plinkin and small game bustin!

 

[les.b]

I have one, and it's a dandy, but mine is one of the later Japanese made versions. I had always wanted one since I was a kid, and this one popped up at the right time. I'm still looking for an older, Belgian version.

Not sure I have a pic handy...

Best Regards, Les

 

[crsides]

Look for a crack in the butt stock on either side of the receiver. When taking the rifle down, always hold it by the receiver, not the stock itself. If this is your first, get someone who knows to show you how to take it apart, or go to you tube. They are wonderful guns. The Belgium's will sell for 25 to 50% more than the Japan made guns, all though the J guns are just a well made, if not better. As mentioned above, the shells eject out the bottom and if you catch one down a long sleeve, you will see how fast you can unbutton a shirt sleeve.

 

[nate-dogg]

My dad has the Browning semi auto takedown and he likes it. I have the Browning Lever 22 (BL-22) and I really like it. I also have the Browning Lever 30-06(BLR 30-06) Browning is a good company.

 

[Muley Gil]

"As mentioned above, the shells eject out the bottom and if you catch one down a long sleeve, you will see how fast you can unbutton a shirt sleeve."

Been there, done there. A friend's mother bought one when they were living in Belgium. It came in a nice wooden box, broken down, of course.

 

[Drm50]

I had a Marlin 1897 when I was a kid. When I was about 8 or 9 I got the bug from a Brn 22. My dad didn't think a kid needed a semi auto and said I had enough 22s. I finally got to shoot one and had a long sleeve shirt on.
Like somebody already said the brass went down my sleeve. The did me on them for several years. The first one I got was on a trade and was a 22 short model. Very accurate little rifle and that was back when shorts were cheaper than 22lr. I had a couple since. I think it a toss up between the Brn and Win 63 for best semi 22 made.

 

[bummer]

I have one of the Brownings made by Norinco. It's one of my favorite .22 rifles. I also have a Browning BL-22. Again, one of the best .22's I own.

Oops! I meant to say these rifles were made by MIROKU in Japan. That's what I get for trying to rely on my faulty memory.

I do believe Norinco made a clone that was imported in the late 80’s early 90’s

 

[s&wchad]

If that’s a photo of the actual gun, I’d be seriously tempted. That’s an early “wheel sight” version, definitely Belgium made and rather desirable.

They’re not target rifles, but they’re well made and adequate for small game. The collar at the back of the barrel allows you to tighten the takedown action to eliminate play.

The gun shown doesn’t have a grooved receiver, but it probably has two tapped holes for a cantilever mount. You may need to remove the rear sight it you want to add a scope. If so, put it somewhere safe. Those are hard to come by and have gone AWOL on a number of rifles.

Edit to add: I just looked and a wheel sight (no gun) recently brought $210 at auction.

 

[double-dipper]

I have two one is a Browning and the other is a copy by Norico. $599.00 seems a little steep to me, but I know they do have gone up in price since I bought mine 25-30 years ago. The Browning is a very accurate rifle and light weight.

 

[NYlakesider]

As a 16 YO I saved up the money required to buy a new one in the early 1960s. (none of the legal problems of today way back then.)

I still have the gun and shoot it on occasion, it sits in a place of honor in my gun safe. It is quite accurate for a small light gun!

 

[diyj98]

I do believe Norinco made a clone that was imported in the late 80’s early 90’s

I owned several of the Norinco made guns. They were actually more accurate than my Browning, but much cruder made. The metal work was rough and the stocks were a cheap soft wood that was subject to cracking easily.

 

[Sistema1927]

As a teenager I was jealous of a buddy who had one when I was limited to the single-shot Winchester that I bought at Western Auto at age 12.

In adulthood I found a nice Belgian sitting on a used gun rack, and snatched it up. It had a vintage 1.3x Bushnell pistol scope mounted on the barrel where the rear sight used to be. It is still there, and keeps zero just fine. My only complaint with the Browning is that after shooting 50-60 rounds I need to snug up the barrel nut a bit since it tends to work loose.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Mine. I purchased it new in 1968 for $69.95. It is Belgian with blond wood. Never been a problem in all the years I've owned it.
Notice the svelte receiver. Compact like the Marlin 39/Win 61/62/Rem 12.
Some .22's of today have the girth of a 12 under & over(Ruger 10/22).

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

As a teenager I was jealous of a buddy who had one when I was limited to the single-shot Winchester that I bought at Western Auto at age 12.

In adulthood I found a nice Belgian sitting on a used gun rack, and snatched it up. It had a vintage 1.3x Bushnell pistol scope mounted on the barrel where the rear sight used to be. It is still there, and keeps zero just fine. My only complaint with the Browning is that after shooting 50-60 rounds I need to snug up the barrel nut a bit since it tends to work loose.

Replace spring and plunger that works against the barrel nut. Mine has never worked loose and it's 51 years old.

 

[Barbarian-CBX]

I employ this BNIB BAR-22 Grade II. Made in 1982.

 

[NYlakesider]

As a teenager I was jealous of a buddy who had one when I was limited to the single-shot Winchester that I bought at Western Auto at age 12.

In adulthood I found a nice Belgian sitting on a used gun rack, and snatched it up. It had a vintage 1.3x Bushnell pistol scope mounted on the barrel where the rear sight used to be. It is still there, and keeps zero just fine. My only complaint with the Browning is that after shooting 50-60 rounds I need to snug up the barrel nut a bit since it tends to work loose.

Wow, I snugged up the barrel nut once in the many thousand of rounds I put threw my Browning. Gun was about 5 years old, (late 1960s) and it did a good job. Over the course of time I tried out a scope with the grooved receiver mounting method. (it was one of those cheap small diameter scopes of the time, Weaver if I remember right.)

Gun has only been used with the iron sights since about 1980. It has accounted for a bunch of nuisance squirrels with no problem only using iron sights!

 

[Drm50]

The Brn 22 was a bit pricey back in 60s compared to other 22s. The guns of this quality in rifles and handguns in 22 are scarce because of price. The nice thing is most people that could afford them took good care of them. I can't remember ever seeing a beat up one.