I removed the stock and trigger guard of my new X-bolt to clean around the action for the year. As I pulled off the guard, the Piece of S#!t cast aluminum or whatever metal that the trigger is made out of snapped off at the half way point. What B.S.!! A reall good, well-thought rifle with an Achilles heel. And it's gold colored. Plated actually. That's got to be some classical irony right there. Bibical, Greek or some such thing. The trigger, being gold, gold plated, and snapping with a minimum of force. I'll keep you posted as I endeavor to make them stand behind their flawed product.

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A reall good, well-thought rifle with an Achilles heel

IMHO, the whole rifle looks like one, big POS. Sorry I can't swallow the aesthetics. Lou

I like it. I get tired of everything having to look like all the rest.

I agree that most rifles look similar, but it's just too different for my taste. I hope Farflung gets things resolved with Browning. Regardless of personal preferences in rifles, manufactures need to step up to the plate and take of their customers. I am sure Browning will make it good. Lou

I have to agree with both points of view here. The X-Bolt is good design , and there are some well though out features,
But astheticly I can't get used to it.
But I bet the darn things shoot.
farflung sort of confirms my opinion that the materials are of the cost and weight saving nature. The detacable mag, is smooth and well desiged. But, its plastic.
I find the slightly cheaper Ruger Hawkeye to be made of real steel. Nothing teribly inovative about them, But mine shoots great so far...tj3006

I have zero first hand information, and have never seen an X-bolt outside of an ad, but heard bad things about X-bolts ejecting straight into the scope and jamming. My friend has a shop and a guy brought him in a brand new BLR in 325 WSM that he received from Browning as a replacement for his super screwed up X-bolt with ejection issues. Is this total bull or is/was it an issue with certain calibers?

ETA: This guy told him that the Browning warranty outlet was full of X-bolt with the same uncorrectable problem.

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IMHO, the whole rifle looks like one, big POS. Sorry I can't swallow the aesthetics

Spot on Doc. You & I are of the same mind.

The difference is that I bet Browning will make it as right as they can, as opposed to the other manufacturers. I have only sent one Browning back for an issue I caused. They checked it, re-bedded and shot test groups to let me know I had not, in fact screwed it up. They returned it to me within two weeks, no charge.

Farflung,

I think I can help you with the problem with your X-Bolt. I shoot for Browning and after reading your post have been in touch with them concerning your problem.

Please PM me with your contact information and I will forward it to the individuals that can help you.

Thanks and sorry about your experience. We will get things right.

Handled an X-bolt today, not too fond of the aesthetics myself, nor am I fond of the plastic detachable mag. Just not my thing. Still love the A-bolt though, have had good experiences with them, smooth, look good, work well. I've heard they had a similar problem with the bolt handle on their autoloading Silver shotguns breaking, but nothing firsthand.

quote:

Originally posted by rcamuglia:
Farflung,

I think I can help you with the problem with your X-Bolt. I shoot for Browning and after reading your post have been in touch with them concerning your problem.

Please PM me with your contact information and I will forward it to the individuals that can help you.

Thanks and sorry about your experience. We will get things right.

Bravo! Well done.

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it!" Seems like that would apply to the "A-Bolt vs X-Bolt" deal! The A-Bolts were quality mass produced rifles............they sold all that Browning could make in the limited space of the Miroku factory! Why change them?? And supply of the X-Bolts will be just as short as the A-bolts were! My Buckmark decal has turds falling on it's head over the design change. GHD

Is the X-Bolt cheaper to produce?

Don't know if it's cheaper to produce, but IMHO it looks cheap and feels cheap. Lou