Browning BL .22

[Tim the student]

I had the opportunity to handle one recently, and it seemed like a very well built rifle. I liked it quite a bit - except for the action. It was really kind of rough, not what I was expecting at all. I have a Henry that is much smoother - I anticipated that it would be about as smooth as the Henry.

Do they smooth up after some use? If so, how much? Will it ever be as smooth as the Henry?

 

[788Ham]

I bought that BL .22 about 12 years ago, not the Belgian made one, as smooth as glass out of the box. Was the one you looked at a Norinco brand? I know nothing about those rifles, I wanted a "Browning". I've shot mine quite a bit, still as smooth as ever. Might try a real Browning, you'll see there is definitely a difference. Was the one you handled a used rifle? Possibly needed cleaning, easily done on the action.

 

[Silent Sam]

Browning and "rough action" don't really go together.

 

[Tim the student]

It was new, and fairly rough. It probably took twice the effort to work the lever as it does with my Henry - which doesn't have tens of thousands of rounds through it. Maybe 1500.

 

[dubbleA]

I have had my BL-22 since the early 1970's. It's had a few rounds put through it since then. The action is not rough at all but by design it may be harder to initially cycle over the Henry due to leveraging. I have handled a few Henry's and have to say I'll pass on them. I'll take blued steel and the short smooth 33 degree stroke of the BL-22 over a Henry any day.

 

[DPris]

You can't judge others by the Henry. The Henry action is extremely smooth, but major brands in other .22 leverguns can't be judged pass or fail in comparison.
I've worked with two of the Brownings & a buddy had one years ago, all three were very nice.
Denis

 

[RainDodger]

I've got an early 70s BL-22 also and it has smoothed over the years. As said, new ones might be a bit stiff - you're moving a lot of things with a short lever stroke, so things need to work in a bit I think.

 

[FJR1300]

The Browning BL-22 has never been made in Belgium, this model has always been made in Japan. Just a little fyi.

 

[788Ham]

^^^^ Take a look at another thread on here, "Take Down .22LR Rifles" look at post #10, "highpower" is the guy that owns one, argue with him ! I saw one from Belgium before I bought mine at a gun show, the extra $300.00 for it made my mind up in a hurry! Just a little fyi.

 

[Ken70]

You guys are getting two different rifles confused. BL-22 is a lever action, bought mine 20 years ago. It is stiffer to cycle, it has an overdrive ratio on the lever to open with a short throw. Only made in Japan.

Then you have the ATD, Auto Take Down, made in Belgium and maybe in the US. Semi auto, Norinco made a copy, which I also bought 20 years ago.

 

[dubbleA]

^^^^ Take a look at another thread on here, "Take Down .22LR Rifles" look at post #10, "highpower" is the guy that owns one, argue with him ! I saw one from Belgium before I bought mine at a gun show, the extra $300.00 for it made my mind up in a hurry! Just a little fyi.

No Sir, FJR1300 is correct.



Just a hint but you might want to research the subject(s) a little further.


Here's some clues....... the SA-22 is a semi automatic .22 hence the name "SA-22"
BL-22 is a Browning lever action .22 hence the name "BL-22"



Just a little FYI.

 

[az_imuth]

I recently purchased a BL-22 and the action is stiff since it hasn't been fired much at all. It is a quality-built rifle all the way around and I expect that it will loosen up a bit with use. I certainly wouldn't describe the action as rough, just stiff. The Browning action is quite different from the others and will take a little getting used to for some folks. I must say, though, that the little BL-22 action sure is quick. You can empty that magazine tube in no time at all.

One more thing...those who stated that the BL-22 was never produced in Belgium are correct. The BL-22 has ALWAYS been produced in Japan, from the very first prototypes that were released in 1968.

Here's my BL-22. (It's the little one on the bottom.)