Looking for comments on Browning .22 Auto

[Kestrel]

I've always kind of liked the looks of the Browning .22 auto take-down rifle. I've never seen one in person. Can anyone give me comments on these rifles?

I have Ruger 10/22s, but this seems like a neat rifle. Are the currently produced rifles, made in Japan, as good as older ones? Are they reliable? Accurate? Are there any problems with them?

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Chugach]

I've lusted after one for decades. I'm left handed, so the idea of bottom ejection always appealed to me. Fairly decent, basic sights, if I remember correctly. Light weight, just a little over 5 pounds. Trigger guard safety (not as handy as a tang safety for me). I've held them many times, but have never fired one.

What always stopped me was the length of pull and stock shape. It just never mounted to my shoulder comfortably. Always felt too short. After discovering that, I never seriously pursued getting one.

I periodically forget that "it doesn't fit" and longingly pick one up in a store...

 

[nextjoe]

Delightful little rifle, one of my all-time favorites. Light, sleek, reliable, accurate, and a true Browning, designed by the man himself. Go for it!

Best,
Joe

 

[BigG]

I bought one of the Belgian made Brownings and it was the nicest 22 auto I'd seen up to that time or since. I would say the Japanese built would be equal to the Belgian, except for snob appeal.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Plus sides: Superlight, wasp-ish feel and yet more 'rifle"sized than other 22's. So accurate that I often froget to flip up the rear sight. (no kidding). Fit and finish excellent (Mom's is a Belgian rifle), take down is about as simple as it gets.

Bad sides: awkward to load until you've done it a million times. Wearing long sleeve shirts w/loose cuffs=hot brass down your sleeve. And lastly, it's not MINE. (mom insists she will only will her rifle to a step daughter.. guess i had better get looking).

 

[Jaywalker]

Browning .22 Takedown link.

Jaywalker

 

[fallingblock]

SteveW13.....

It's one of the all-time classic rimfire autoloaders

As Chugach relates, it is a great autoloader for left-handed shooters (of which I am one). You soon learn to avoid the brass down the shirtsleeves, as pain is an excellent instructor .

My very first shooting was done with my Dad's Remington 241, which was a Remington licensed copy of the Browning.

Years later I bought one of the Japanese Miroku production, and while it was in no way the equal of the Remington 241, once a few tweaks were performed, it was a great little rifle.

I have also owned a Norinco Chinese copy of the Browning, and for me it was a bit of a disappointment reliability-wise.
As with many of the Chinese copies of classic firearms, the parts were nicely made and appeared to be in the correct location within the gun, but they just wouldn't work reliably together.

If you can locate a nice original Belgian-made rifle, or a good example of the Miroku, I think you will be very pleased with the design.

 

[HarryB]

Saw a nice clean Japanese build takedown for $285. Is this a good price?

 

[Sylvilagus Aquaticus]

I got one on my 12th birthday, exactly 33 years and one day ago as of now. It was my first firearm, given to me by my father (and uncle, who aided in the selection). It has never failed to do anything I asked of it. One day when my ex was at the range with me she managed to overtorque the assembly and snapped the stock at the wrist. I did repair it, and it is only one of a long list of things I shall never forgive her for .

Overall, it is one of the finest, easiest to carry light rifles one would ever hope to own. The advise on shirtsleeves and hot brass is to be heeded. It does tend to be difficult to mount any more than a limited selection of optics on, but it begs to be left open-sighted.

Regards,
Rabbit.

 

[Selfdfenz]

They are wonderful little rifles.
Something every gentleman shooter should own for walks about the woodlot.