BROWNING .22 RIM-FIRE BLR LEVER ACTION RIFLE.      

Description

BROWNING .22 RIM-FIRE BLR LEVER ACTION RIFLE.

Lever Action .22 Rim-Fire Browning BLR / BL Grade II ‘Field Octagon’ Sporting Rifle. A RARE enough rifle even when they were still an option to order and buy. Given its now 8 years since they were still offered its not likely to be that easy to find another.

This sports a True ‘Long Rifle’ barrel at a full 24” (610mm) so should offer up great accuracy, especially with longer shots. It is also, as the title suggests Octagonal so eight sided.

Stock measures to 13 ½” (343mm) and IS PRETTY GOOD for supposed Grade II Walnut Woodwork. For a Browning, its Excellent with some Highly Decorative Grain and Contrast right through. There is a bit of a nasty scratch to the High Gloss Finish on one side. Quite WHY they and other makers insist on varnish is beyond me. Other than cost. Anyone buying this and I would suggest stripping and a quality re-finish with oil. Doing so will turn this woodwork and the rifle into something Rather Special. OK it would then no longer be original. However, its likely never going to be a rifle worth 5 plus times what it is today. (Maybe 100 plus years from now and left locked away then OK). However, to own, use and enjoy through until then its what I would do so I can enjoy the aesthetics while I can.

Overall, the rifle measures 40 ¾” (1035mm) and weighs in at a Very Nice 5 Lbs 9 ½ oz (2.539 Kg). Not entirely sure if these were not also Limited Editions when they were an option. It would not surprise me. Any ACCURATE information is always welcome. Chequering to the woodwork is still pretty Crisp, still sharp to the touch.

Bright finished action with some fine Scroll Engraving throughout. The usual Browning Deer Head Logo the Trigger Guard Lever Action. That finished in a contrasting Black and still in almost 100% as new. As is the Gold \Wash to the Trigger Blade itself. A feature that never last long when a gun starts to see some use. The action is also factory machined with a standard width scope dovetail.

The then New Design features a 30 Degree (?) Lever Operation so offers up a much faster cycling time to re-load. If you look at the images its positioned at the bottom of its travel. Easy enough to see and appreciate just how much less compared to the usual options. Tube Magazine so Extremely difficult to lose. Let’s simply say this: IF you do lose it then perhaps shooting is not for you! Also still in place are the original Open / Iron Sights. Another Rare thing these days.

Safety is applied with the Hammer itself. Again, the pictures show it closed / fired. Fully open, safety off and ready to fire. Then with the hammer at ‘half cock’ and safe as the trigger will not work. There is also enough room after the front bead sight to thread if desired. Personally, I would not bother. Its not the sound of sub sonic ammunition going off that scare’s rabbits. Its more the smack when it hits. At least that’s what I find when out.

Compared to what a new Browning Lever Action costs today this is more than fair. Yes, this is only a rim-fire but, in reality, they take no less to manufacture than a full bore. Its all the same basic ingredients, parts and workmanship.

£749.99