Price Check: Browning SA 22LR Made in Japan

[Mainehunter]

Take down, checked the bore and it's spotless, wood has really nice grain and comes with a Tasco scope. Very light and nice looking rifle. Shop wants $395 out the door. I know the ones made in Belgium are worth more but this is a first I've seen in these parts and at that price. Thoughts?

Mainehunter

[Pete44ru]

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You'll look long/hard to find another in that condition @ that price - but I'd lay $350 cash one the counter & let the money talk (remember - BS walks )

FWIW, I don't count a Tasco scope as anything other than the work to toss it - but if the owner's proud of it, ask if you can to buy the rifle bareback for less $$$.

Like all Browning Auto-22's, inspect the buttstock neck for cracking - when some ignoramus twisted the rifle during takedown by holding the buttstock ILO the receiver while the bbl/forend was turned off.

If the buttstock's cracked, I'd recommend passing - since the cost of a replacement buttstock's too high to be economically feasible.



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[gamekeeper]

I can't comment on the price but I had one that was reliable and accurate, well made little rifles..

[Mainehunter]

I went back to the shop and inspected it closely, particularly the butt stock, all is good. I checked the sn# and it's around 86, 87 vintage. The more I handled it the more I liked it so I ended up putting it on layaway. Funds are kind of dry so I'm hoping next payday I could pick her up

Mainehunter

[mod71alaska]

Mainehunter, you made a good buy on a fine .22. Congrats!!!

[Mike Armstrong]

A very neat John Browning design, originally the Remington Model 24, also made by FN in Belgium at the same time, then dropped in the wartime by both Remington and FN, then resurrected by FN in Belgium for Browning Arms, USA in the 1950s, then production moved to Miroku in Japan in the late 1960s (?) and still made there.

There is also a Chinese clone called the "ATD" that is less quality and less price. Not sure if they work well, but the design is identical.

I had one of the Belgian-made ones in the late 1950s and liked it a lot, but finally traded it for a Win 1885 Hiwall SS in .30-40, which I still have.

[Old Savage]

Pics - where are the PICS?

[Mainehunter]

Pics - where are the PICS?

I'll post them when I pick her up, hopefully this coming week.

Mainehunter

[Hobie]

They are retailing for $700 new.