I've been reading the post concerning Browning A-Bolts and have seen their actions referred to as "junk" several times. I don't know nearly as much about rifles as most of you here, so this is an honest question, not trying to restart an argument.

I own four CF rifles, two Ruger 77s (old tang safeties), one Weatherby Vanguard, and an A-Bolt. Of these rifles, the action on the Browning is by far the smoothest, the bolt slides back and forth with very little slop. On the other three rifles, you can easily jiggle the bolt from side to side if you stop if anywhere in its cycle. Also, it's the only one of these guns that will feed from the magazine with 100% reliably no matter how fast or slow I work the bolt.
Now this gun has never seen really severe field conditions, like freezing rain, so is that when I would likely find the problem? What's the deal?

There is no action ever that someone will not claim as faulty or just plain junk. There are those that have said that of the M-70, the M700, the M77 and even the mausers of most variation.

IMO the Browning A Bolt is a fine action and while I've only owned one it was good and worked fine. I liked it. I'd not call it junk.

Now lets talk about the carcano.......

I think some of the :junk" statements have been
made in response to Browning's new practice
of glueing the barrel to the action, and this
glue is such that when the barrel is removed from
the action, the action threads are damaged.
I heard one response from Browning regarding
this new "feature" was that they believe when
a barrel is worn out, both the barrel and the
action should be replaced. I guess this is OK
for those that buy a rifle, and never wear out
a barrel. I think Browning is going to loose
more market share, with this practice. I know
Browning has taken themselves off my rifle
manufacturers list with this development.

Squeeze

I have long been a Browning fan, but have long since come to the conclusion that if it doesn't say made in Belgium, it isn't worth owning.

My last Browning was a .22 calibre Challenger, and it was junk. Shoot! It was a one hole wonder, but everything on it either bent, or broke. The first year I owned it, 1982, it spent more time at he smith's than at home. It was also my last Browning.

P.S. I did buy one 12Ga BPS in the 90's, and it's OK, but doesn't hold a candle compared to my old A-5. I know none of this applies as you were asking about bolt guns, but this has been my experience with modern Browning products.

I own Rems, Wins, Rugers and Brownings....

"Don't believe everything you read" applies here....

Sure the actions may not be as smooth as the actions of a bunch of surplus Military rifles that I have owned....but then, each one of those have probably had their actions cylced several million times in their existance.... long before they came my way....

The only A-Bolt I've ever owned is a Japanese made Stainless Stalker in 30 06 without a BOSS. I bought it used and it's one of the best hunting rifles I've ever owned. Surely it is the best value. It's light, handy, accurate and the magazines have never rattled...ever. <1" OTB at 100 yrds were the norm and several years ago on the Quantico range I shot several @4" groups prone at 300 yrds. That was before I had the trigger lightened. For the small to mid-sized whitetail I hunt I've abandoned the A-Bolt 30 06 in favor of M. 70's in 270 or 7mm Mag for beanfield ranges, but I can't seem to part with that A-Bolt. Enjoy yours.

As long as it works safely and properly for you than no one elses opinion really matters. It's true. I know I've asked (and will continue to ask) questions about various firearms, but I know nothing matters as much as what I think of a rifle. I think Brownings feel nice and handle nice, but I have never hunted with or owned one myself.

Your top custom gunsmiths will not work over a contemporary Browning bolt rifle. The guns are great for the ordinary hunter but they will not last the way 98s, 1903s, or pre64 70s will.

I just had an A-Bolt in 338 RUM rebarreled by Hart Rifle Barrels. If that's not top custom work then I don't know what would be.

I gotta disagree concerning the Brownings not made in Belgique as I own a BSS-Sidelock 20 ga., an 1886 SRC and a Citori Type III Mod. 7500 combo gun in .308x12 ga. I also own Belgian Brownings and quite a few other "high-end" guns with famous reps., such as my Merkel and my Mannlicher-Schoenauer.

Honestly, the Japanese Brownings I have are BETTER then the Belgian guns, overall, and I would buy any example I find of these models. I think that Browning has Q.C. issues with some of the mass produced models, as do Win., Rem., Ruger and even Kimber....Dakota is a whole nother story.

I don't like the A-Bolt, but, I am a mossybacked, elderly geezer who basically thinks that almost all real rifles were made before about 1960, anyway. If you have or can find a reliable A-Bolt at a good price, use it, as it's what YOU like that counts.

I don't care for the new Brownings...

I am a fan of the old FN based Brownings, they were and are excellent rifles.

quote:

Originally posted by squeeze:
I think some of the :junk" statements have been
made in response to Browning's new practice
of glueing the barrel to the action, and this
glue is such that when the barrel is removed from
the action, the action threads are damaged.
I heard one response from Browning regarding
this new "feature" was that they believe when
a barrel is worn out, both the barrel and the
action should be replaced. I guess this is OK
for those that buy a rifle, and never wear out
a barrel. I think Browning is going to loose
more market share, with this practice. I know
Browning has taken themselves off my rifle
manufacturers list with this development.

Squeeze

The glue issue and galling threads has been with the SS model mainly with the WSM action. I hear Win is going to the same threads as Browning. There is a way to look and see what kind of threads your rifle has and I've heard of afew ways to remove those type barrels with glue and not ruin the threads. As to them being junk etc I don't put too much into that as I haven't seen any barrel manufactors that also do chambering list a warning about not rebarreling a Browning rifle. McMillian sells after market stock and Jard is coming out with a kit for the Browning trigger. I've done alittle BR shooting and sure you don't see any browning BR rifles but you don't see hardly any sako,win,mauser,CZ or ruger rifles either you see alot of custom actions, Rem,40x and sleeved X-P. My Browning 300RUM is a good shooter and when I look at my Browning that I got in 1965 sure they is alot of difference in the two rifle same but that was then and this is now. Well good luck

Is there any functional reason for the application of the glue to the threads, or is just done to keep someone from rebarrelling the action. That does not sound like a very smart marketing move if the glue is not needed to keep the barrel in place over the life of the firearm.

What squeeze said makes a lot of sense. I have talked to smith's about using Browning actions as a base for a project, and many will use them, but they have all mentioned that some of the A-bolt barrels are 'glued' and that there will be more work in taking one of these actions apart, and possible damage to the action.

The A-bolt action is also more difficult to re-machine than a Rem or a Win, and this coupled with the barrel issue will dictate there will never be a demand for these actions for custom jobs. Some of the parts may not be of as high of quality as other rifles, but they aren't really prone to wear out or malfunction in any way.

I have been told that it has been common for Browning to make their arms difficult for aftermarket work to be done to them. I think that is definitely true with the A-bolt, aftermarket triggers have only become readily availble in recent years, and other aftermarket parts, i.e. new springs for bolts etc. just don't exist.

I will say that both of my A-bolts shoot and function great--that could be good enough for some folks..........

the a-bolt usually functions as browning designed it and it is a good rifle in that configuration. the barrel thread issue is real. the threads are real fine and i think put together dry and tend to strip when they are separated. i have also found browning not real helpful or quick if parts need to be purchased. i have rebarreled one with no problem. i advise the customer as i always do, that there are risks with removing any action. they assume the risk and the decision is theirs.

quote:

Originally posted by 390ish:
Is there any functional reason for the application of the glue to the threads, or is just done to keep someone from rebarrelling the action. That does not sound like a very smart marketing move if the glue is not needed to keep the barrel in place over the life of the firearm.

From my understanding it is just in the SS model wsm. We had a gunsmith in town who damaged the threads removing a barrel on a SS a-bolt 300wsm but being a good gunsmith made a tape to recut the threads. He is a pretty good tool and die maker. I'm not a gunsmith but figure a good one should be able to take one of those barrels off and I've heard of them tapping into the chamber to get the barrels off. As to why they did the threads that way who knows and for the guys who don't like Browning this just adds fuel to the fire.