Browning A-Bolt 22LR Review: First Firing After Two Decades
A Classic Legend Revisited
The Browning A-Bolt .22 Rimfire was manufactured from 1986-1996 in two calibers 22LR and 22Magnum and two different versions Grade I and Gold Medallion. As a youngster my lack of knowledge, untrained eye and lack of funds always caused me to look past Browning. As I have come to appreciate quality more Browning is always at the forefront of my thought.
In A Safe For 20 Years
In a conversation with a close friend about Browning rimfires and the T-Bolt variety of today, he mentioned “hey I have a Browning A-Bolt that’s in the back of the safe, it has been sitting for over 20 years though”. With such a treasure I was to modest to ask if I could borrow it for me to drool over. He then mentioned stop by the house you can borrow it, and here we are with this review.
Browning Specifications and Review
This rifle’s high gloss finished walnut stock is checkered, and wears a rosewood pistol grip cap and forend tip. The butt plate is checkered black plastic. Manufactured in 1988, for a 35 year old rifle the highly polished finish is still magnificent. It is obviously a premium rifle that screams quality.
The bolt has a 60 degree throw with signature Browning A-bolt knob. It cocks on opening and locks with 2 rear lugs. The bolt release is grooved and highly polished and it sports a gold-plated trigger that is user adjustable. The trigger guard is made of aluminum and highly polished for its time. The standard detachable box magazine holds 5 cartridges, and a 15 round magazine was available as an accessory. Upon introduction the price of this rifle was $450 to $550 brand new. Today, year 2023 this rifle commands a price tag of $750 to $900 used.
- Caliber – .22 LR.
- Magazine capacity – 5 rounds.
- Finish – High gloss walnut stock and a high luster blue barreled action.
- Barrel length – 22″.
- Sights – Front dot rear flip up
- Length of pull – 13 1/2″.
- Drop at comb- 3/4″.
- Drop at heel – 1 1/2″.
- Overall Length – 40 1/8″.
- Weight – 5 pounds 9 ounces (approximately 7.2 pounds as tested with scope).
Let’s Have Some Fun
On what would be a cloudy windy day right before a storm rolled in I as able to get out to the 50yard rimfire range with some Eley Team ammunition to test for accuracy and function.
I would have two malfunctions but this was user error. The last half of the bolt opening is under spring tension, if you do not swing it open with force the empty shell would not be ejected properly.
First Firing After 2 Decades