that my local gun dealer has. If looks alone guaranteed a good shooter this one would win. Gun is from a Browning Collector's estate sale and is unfired. Anyone know how they shoot and what they are worth? Thanks in advance

I have always had a soft spot for these (I have 4 of them), 2 with sights & 2 without. In addition, I have one in a .22 mag & 2 gold medallions .22's. I haven't done much hardcore target shooting with them, but there are some guys who claim they came out of the box with the shooting capabilities of today's higher end stock .22's. I always liked rimfires that closely resemble big bores.

In terms of value, I'd take it off your hands for about $300 Just kidding. Unfired/NIB would merit upwards of $700-800. Unfired without the box is still worth more than $600. In the event it's a gold medallion, I'd add about $100.

Seriously, if you're not interested, let me know. I'd love to add a nice a-bolt to the collection!

Good luck & let us know how you come out.

it's offered at 498 if your interested. PM me for the phone number of the dealer ...has sights looks LNIB ..has rosewood tip.

quote:

Originally posted by six4atd:
I have always had a soft spot for these (I have 4 of them), 2 with sights & 2 without. In addition, I have one in a .22 mag & 2 gold medallions .22's. I haven't done much hardcore target shooting with them, but there are some guys who claim they came out of the box with the shooting capabilities of today's higher end stock .22's. I always liked rimfires that closely resemble big bores.

In terms of value, I'd take it off your hands for about $300 Just kidding. Unfired/NIB would merit upwards of $700-800. Unfired without the box is still worth more than $600. In the event it's a gold medallion, I'd add about $100.

Seriously, if you're not interested, let me know. I'd love to add a nice a-bolt to the collection!

Good luck & let us know how you come out.

Six, I have considered two of these to purchase in the past. On close examination, both were corroded to the point of serious pitting on the bottom of the barrel under the forearm. Is this common, or is it just a matter of owner neglect?

[/QUOTE]
Is this common, or is it just a matter of owner neglect?[/QUOTE]

Browning had a problem with "salt" wood years ago, and the rifles you saw no doubt had wood with salt in it. That's why the corrosion.
Browning shipped a boat load of Walnut from Europe to the US packed in salt. Rifle and shotgun stocks were made from this wood, with distaterous results, after the guns got out in the hands of owners. All of the guns rusted and corroded below the stock line. Browning had a recall on these guns for years, and finally terminated the recall, but there must still be more out there that weren't caught by the owners during the recall.
IIRC, the period of mfgr of rifles and shotguns with "salt" wood was from 1968 to 1976, when someone finally figured out that they were in deep crap, and they stopped using that wood.

I would not touch a gun that currently has the problem.

Don

The A-bolt .22 was not introduced until 1986. The salt wood was 10 years earlier. The salt wood guns were often times Belgian T-bolts. The A-bolt(s) you are referring to must have been cases of neglect. I own several and none have this problem.

quote:

Originally posted by six4atd:
The A-bolt .22 was not introduced until 1986. The salt wood was 10 years earlier. The salt wood guns were often times Belgian T-bolts. The A-bolt(s) you are referring to must have been cases of neglect. I own several and none have this problem.

Good info!
Thanks.

Don

I recently bought an A-bolt Medaillon in mint condition (and only paid 35 Euro's for it, but that's another story).

It's a great rifle and the attention to detail is superb. As the old saying goes: they don't make them like that any more.

It shoots as good as my Weihrauch HW66, and that's saying something! Go for it, you won't regret it.