Does any body have one of these? How do you like it? Will it function with lead bullets such as Winchester Wildcat or only the copper washed stuff like CCI MiniMag? Found a couple of them, one Belgian, one Jap. Always liked the look of them. Nice slim handy gun.
Browning .22 Auto Takedown Rifle
- Thread starter Phil DeGraves
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I have 2 of them. One is a Belgian that belonged to my father that he gave me years ago and one is a recent manufacture Japanese model that I gave to my son a couple of years ago.
Both of them have fed just about every kind of .22 ammo out there from match stuff to Wal Marts cheapest bulk stuff.
Both of these rifles experience occasional feeding problems but not often enough to worry about and not regularly enough with a particular type of ammo for me to say what the cause was.
Every once in a while they just "hang up" but it's never been consistently with any particular brand or type of ammo.
Both of them have fed just about every kind of .22 ammo out there from match stuff to Wal Marts cheapest bulk stuff.
Both of these rifles experience occasional feeding problems but not often enough to worry about and not regularly enough with a particular type of ammo for me to say what the cause was.
Every once in a while they just "hang up" but it's never been consistently with any particular brand or type of ammo.
I have one of the Japanese versions. So far it has been very reliable, but I've only tried Winchester Super-X (std velocity) and CCI mini-mag (high-velocity) ammunition.
I used a Burris scope mount, which is a cantilever over the receiver (like some scope mounts for shotguns), and I'm working on installing a ramped front sight so I can use a NECG peep sight on the scope mount.
Bottom eject can toss hot brass down your shirt cuff, but after a while you learn to position your left arm so this doesn't happen.
No "bolt locks open on last round" feature, and it's a little unusual flipping it upside down to check for a clear chamber, but all in all a very nice, lightweight rifle. Accuracy isn't bad at 25 yds. I have yet to try it at 50 yds.
I used a Burris scope mount, which is a cantilever over the receiver (like some scope mounts for shotguns), and I'm working on installing a ramped front sight so I can use a NECG peep sight on the scope mount.
Bottom eject can toss hot brass down your shirt cuff, but after a while you learn to position your left arm so this doesn't happen.
No "bolt locks open on last round" feature, and it's a little unusual flipping it upside down to check for a clear chamber, but all in all a very nice, lightweight rifle. Accuracy isn't bad at 25 yds. I have yet to try it at 50 yds.
My uncle in Oklahoma had a Remington -- exactly like the Browning -- for standard velocity only. He loaned it to me to see if I could shoot a jackrabbit. I was wearing wellington boots, and the first ejected case went down my boot top, and stuck to the top of my foot. I still have the scar.
Love 'em, will have one someday. They're just beautiful little .22s. Yeah, they're pricey, why I don't have one now.
Sistema1927
Member
When I was in High School a buddy had one and I didn't. It made everything else look clunky in comparison.
I kept my eyes open and about 20 years ago I bought an older Belgian model. It has functioned with every type of LR that I have fed it.
I kept my eyes open and about 20 years ago I bought an older Belgian model. It has functioned with every type of LR that I have fed it.
Gordon
Member
I have a Belgian one in the takedown case case with the factory (Redfield Frontier)4x scope mounted on the barrel (Redfield cantilever mounts.). Pretty accurate, like 2" at 25 yards with RWS sub sonic hollowpoints (match grade ammo!) , but mucho class act! Mine never jams, it like CCI Stingers too!
Mine will feed any cheap ammo Wal Mart sells. I like it. I saw a stainless with a laminated stock once. I wanted it badly.
I know this is blasphemy but I bought a Norinco copy of the little Browning several years ago and have been very pleased with its appearance, workmanship and performance. You should be able to pick a nice one up at any gunshow for way under $200.00 (resale isn't exactly Norinco's strong-suit!). Hey, Browning's latest rendition is made in Asia too...
Yep, I have a Belgiam with the wheel sight bought in 62. Bought in
Southgate Calif. from Weatherby's and it was supposed to be a
presentation to Roy. No paper work. The receiver pannels deep
cut engraved with an oak leaf/scroll design, that is a deep royal
blue simular to the old Colt Python. I have more accurate .22 LRs
but only used a few brands of ammo. A handy, good looking, and
great functioning rifle. It still remains in 99.8 % condition. Never
came with a box. Shortage at that time, as it may have been the time
frame to the switch to Japan. I think they retailed at $69 and I had to
give up $20 more for the engraving that was a simple roll on scroll type
on the grade Is.
Southgate Calif. from Weatherby's and it was supposed to be a
presentation to Roy. No paper work. The receiver pannels deep
cut engraved with an oak leaf/scroll design, that is a deep royal
blue simular to the old Colt Python. I have more accurate .22 LRs
but only used a few brands of ammo. A handy, good looking, and
great functioning rifle. It still remains in 99.8 % condition. Never
came with a box. Shortage at that time, as it may have been the time
frame to the switch to Japan. I think they retailed at $69 and I had to
give up $20 more for the engraving that was a simple roll on scroll type
on the grade Is.
MNy father in law just gave me one. I can't wait to shoot the thing. I have been wanting a .22 riffle & I told him I would teach my daughter to shoot on it one day.
Very nice looking rifle. I expect it will be fun to shot. $12.00-$14.00/ 500 rounds beat the heck out of the price of .223.
Very nice looking rifle. I expect it will be fun to shot. $12.00-$14.00/ 500 rounds beat the heck out of the price of .223.
I bought one of the often-belittled Norinco copies a few years back in near new condition because it was offered to me for $35. The extractor had a broken finger and the fellow said he couldn't find a replacement. I figured that it probably wouldn't take much to fit a Browning part and even if it didn't work I wouldn't be losing much.
Got the replacement from Brownell's and it dropped right in, no fitting required. Also found out the probable cause of the failure: loads of crud under it kept the extractor from moving as it should and literally hammered it to death. IMO, the same neglect would've had the same result in a 'real' Browning, too.
It's really a sweet little carbine. Light, handy, extremely reliable with all sorts of HS .22 LR ammo and capable of a much higher order of accuracy than I would've believed with its favorite flavors. If I ever run across a nice used Miroku/Browning at the right price I'll be sorely tempted.
A couple of personal comments: A carbine with the potential for precision shot placement these have really deserves better sights. Personally, I passed on glass and had a Lyman 66 installed. The non-folding rear leaf was replaced with a Marble's folder, too, but I've been known to wear a belt and suspenders so YMMV.
The front got a Williams FO bead. Works better with my bifocaled eyes and either rear.
Love the take-down feature! Quick, easy and makes for a very compact package. With good sights and an inexpensive cordura case it's a great alternative to an AR-7. Also gotta love ol' JMB for including an easy way to tighten up the barrel/receiver fit to compensate for looseness or wear.
If I ever do come across that Miroku and it shoots as well as the Norinco does, I'll do the same sight changes, install a LH trigger and reverse the safety, send it off to Robar for NP-3 and have my idea of the perfect all-around recreational RF carbine.
Got the replacement from Brownell's and it dropped right in, no fitting required. Also found out the probable cause of the failure: loads of crud under it kept the extractor from moving as it should and literally hammered it to death. IMO, the same neglect would've had the same result in a 'real' Browning, too.
It's really a sweet little carbine. Light, handy, extremely reliable with all sorts of HS .22 LR ammo and capable of a much higher order of accuracy than I would've believed with its favorite flavors. If I ever run across a nice used Miroku/Browning at the right price I'll be sorely tempted.
A couple of personal comments: A carbine with the potential for precision shot placement these have really deserves better sights. Personally, I passed on glass and had a Lyman 66 installed. The non-folding rear leaf was replaced with a Marble's folder, too, but I've been known to wear a belt and suspenders so YMMV.
The front got a Williams FO bead. Works better with my bifocaled eyes and either rear.
Love the take-down feature! Quick, easy and makes for a very compact package. With good sights and an inexpensive cordura case it's a great alternative to an AR-7. Also gotta love ol' JMB for including an easy way to tighten up the barrel/receiver fit to compensate for looseness or wear.
If I ever do come across that Miroku and it shoots as well as the Norinco does, I'll do the same sight changes, install a LH trigger and reverse the safety, send it off to Robar for NP-3 and have my idea of the perfect all-around recreational RF carbine.
That's kind of my take on this fine old rifle, too -- it needs better sights, but looks unbalanced with a scope. A really trim receiver sight should be just perfect.
I have owned original FN produced Brownings and currently have one of the Norinco copies. Never owned one of the Jap versions, but ones I've seen sure look of high quality.
That Norinco is an exact copy of the FNs I've had. Parts interchange with little or no problem and the price was damned sure right. I even modified mine to shoot .22 short for pest control by purchasing a Browning produced short feed insert and tube......works like a charm. Oh, yeah....I also drilled and tapped the receiver for Weaver bases, put a good quality illuminated piece of glass on it & it's the nuts for killing garbage can raiding coons.
By the way, picked up those parts from Gunparts Inc....prices seem a bit better than Brownell's.
That Norinco is an exact copy of the FNs I've had. Parts interchange with little or no problem and the price was damned sure right. I even modified mine to shoot .22 short for pest control by purchasing a Browning produced short feed insert and tube......works like a charm. Oh, yeah....I also drilled and tapped the receiver for Weaver bases, put a good quality illuminated piece of glass on it & it's the nuts for killing garbage can raiding coons.
By the way, picked up those parts from Gunparts Inc....prices seem a bit better than Brownell's.
Same here!
Bought mine new in 1979, and I can't recall it ever failing to work perfectly with anything / everything I have shot in it.
rcmodel
Bought mine new in 1979, and I can't recall it ever failing to work perfectly with anything / everything I have shot in it.
rcmodel
CajunBass
Member
Saw the stainless/laminated model at Bass Pro and was immediately reaching for my wallet when I read the price tag - Wow! Hope to one day find a gently used model or even a Norinco copy.
I would love to have one with the silver nitride receiver and octagon barrel, it would be beautiful match for my BL22 with the same features.
Noidster
Noidster
Excellent rifle. Feeds any LR given to it. I found it very accurate.
I cannot think of one that would be better.
I cannot think of one that would be better.
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