The Browning SA Grade 1 22LR

[blujax01]

I ask those of you who own one - is it worth the price tag?

We have one in the shop and as tempted as I am, it is tough to contemplate spending between five and six bills for a 22LR rifle that I have absolutely no use for yet it mocks me every day!

"...Come on big boy, you know you want me. Just pick me up and fondle me one more time..."

This one is new and of Japanese manufacture. ("Me love you long time...") To say the wood is gorgeous is a serious understatement.

Can't afford it, don't need it, want it really badly.


Tell me it's an overrated dog

 

[rusty37874]

Great Shooters

For collectible purposes, You need to look for a Belgian made example, Preferably a wheel sight.

( I was referring to the Auto 22, The one your looking at I am not real familiar with)

 

[bigmoose]

I don't own a SA, but every time I see a Browning .22 lever action I have the same thoughts. They are certainly well made guns and worth the price in my opinion.

 

[runwiththeherd]

I have had one for 50 years. While it has enormous sentimental value, it is still a shooter. Thousands and thousands of rounds and never a problem. I remember my Dad telling me back then that $65.00 was a lot of money. I guess the $600 or so it would take to buy a new one today is just as much money, but what else could you spend the money on and enjoy the purchase for decades? I say buy it, shoot it and enjoy it.

 

[litenlarry]

If you are talking about the 22 takedown model, the price is reasonable...I have one of the Belgium takedowns, collectors galore, but beware, some of the Belgium models had issues with the salt treating of the wood...Here is my grade II, circa 1971..

 

[Kiteman72]

Blujax, I always enjoy your posts, so I'll try to save you some dough.

That thing will fire red hot brass right down your shirtsleeve! And if you wanna put a scope on it don't even bother, what a pain and it ruins the lines of the rifle.

Of course there's one in my family and I wouldn't ever part with it. It's certainly an heirloom quality rifle; an 80s vintage Japanese model.

 

[CH47gunner]

I thought it was worth it - Paid exactly six bills for it.
Neat little .22 and it will eject down your shirt sleeve as it ejects out the bottom, just got to be aware of hand placement. I've got enough scoped .22 rifles and had no intention of scoping this one.
Can't have enough .22's - you know you want it.

 

[Wyo]

First time I shot a Browning SA was when I was about 15 years old, and I always wanted after that. Finally picked a Belgian wheel sight model a few years ago, and it is the neatest, slickest .22 I've ever used - not the most accurate, not the most elaborate, but the best lines and the handling I've seen in any .22. You'll be sorry if you don't buy it!

 

[ben1]

I bought my dad one in the early 70's. We were in the dairy business. He made it his truck gun. It was used and abused but he has been gone now for over 35 years and that old Browning is as accurate an open sight rifle that I have. My son will get it one day. There is a reason you are drawn to it. You know class. Good luck.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

I bought one NIB in 1968 for $75.00. Belgian with blonde wood. Bagged lots of squirrels & other crtitters with it. Gazillions of .22's have gone through it. Still have it. To me its the neatest little .22 auto made. Compare its size to a 10/22 and it makes the 10/22 seem like a 12 ga.

 

[Camster]

If you are talking about the 22 takedown model, the price is reasonable...I have one of the Belgium takedowns, collectors galore, but beware, some of the Belgium models had issues with the salt treating of the wood...Here is my grade II, circa 1971..

I've been into these things for 45 years,owned a bunch,still own some,been a member of the BCA,etc,and I've never heard of this particular model being affected by salt wood. T-bolts,Superposed,Safaris,yes,but not the takedown.

 

[alwslate]

I've had a few of them over the years, all Belgian made. Nice rifles
but mine had to be kept pretty clean or they would start to misfire.

 

[litenlarry]

I've been into these things for 45 years,owned a bunch,still own some,been a member of the BCA,etc,and I've never heard of this particular model being affected by salt wood. T-bolts,Superposed,Safaris,yes,but not the takedown.

Unfortunately some of the takedowns were affected..There was a video I watched awhile back, where the restorer of affected salt wood. would show how he restored them, first thing he would do is take the stock off and smash it..Brought me to tears..
I'll see if I can't find that video..
Insult to injury, the salt cured wood came from Missouri...

 

[NYlakesider]

I have a Belgian, bought it new back in early 60s.. If I remember correctly the MSRP on it was about $53 dollars, no sales tax or forms to fill out either then.

I was about 15 and my father gave the LGS owner permission to sell me all the guns and ammo I wanted. (O you got to love the good old days.) I save up what was a lot of money back then to get that gun, the dealer was impressed a young kid like me wanted such a good gun and paid for it by himself. Regular autoloaders were going for about $25 to $35 back then.


Cut a lot of grass and shoveled a lot of sidewalls to get the money

Dealer took a couple bucks of the price and even gave me a box of bullets as part of the deal.. Put a lot of rounds threw it and put on and took off a bunch of those small diameter scopes of the era.

Gun has been scope less for the last 20 years and best bet will remain that way. Still have it in the safe

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

I have one and really like it. Two problems though. First my eyes ain't what they used to be and I think my days of open sight plinkers are fading fast. Second is that in my experience Brownings tend to rust if you look at them funny. At lest that was the case with my 22 and my A5. You GoT to stay on top of them and at my age I just don't feel like it.

 

[Woodsman1]

Sweet looking guns guys.

 

[JM4151]

Browning 22 rifle

I bought one new a few years ago. I liked the lines of the gun and I put a 4 X scope on it but I really didn't shoot it that much. I would always opt to take my Ruger 10-22 or my S & W model 15. They were easier to load and held more rounds. I sold it and have not regretted doing so. I have other 22 rifles also, a Win 62-63 & 75. The Smith 15 goes shooting more than the rest.

 

[litenlarry]

I have one and really like it. Two problems though. First my eyes ain't what they used to be and I think my days of open sight plinkers are fading fast. Second is that in my experience Brownings tend to rust if you look at them funny. At lest that was the case with my 22 and my A5. You GoT to stay on top of them and at my age I just don't feel like it.

If the rusting is where the metal meets the wood portion's, sounds like a salt treated stock and forearm..Somewhat rare, as most salt treating happened in other Browning models..
But have have been occurrences..Browning was selling a lot of firearms and was trying to keep up with the demand..Thus the method of salt curing seemed like a good idea..NOT !!..


I should specify, these were Belgium Browning models in the early '70's........

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

If the rusting is where the metal meets the wood portion's, sounds like a salt treated stock and forearm..Somewhat rare, as most salt treating happened in other Browning models..
But have have been occurrences..Browning was selling a lot of firearms and was trying to keep up with the demand..Thus the method of salt curing seemed like a good idea..NOT !!..


I should specify, these were Belgium Browning models in the early '70's........

Nope not a salt wood gun-I know about those. In my experience the blueing on Brownings (the Miroku guns of the mid 80's) is somewhat fragile and they tend to need a LOT more tlc than say my old Remington 1100 to keep from rusting.

 

[perrazi]

if you are buying to collect, either buy a Belgian gun or possibly grade 6 Japanese. std grade Japanese made will be along time before these appreciate. grade 2 or 3 Belgian for collecting purposes are the best though.