Bought a used Browning BAR .308. Mounted a scope, cleaned the barrel, shot it enough to sight it in, and put it in the safe. Got it out to show someone and went to open the action and it is frozen shut. Was working fine when I put it up. I removed the magazine and tried a few things but no luck. The bolt is not frozen as I can rotate it an eighth of a turn back and forth through the bottom.

Anyone have any idea what is wrong with it?

Lane -

Proper assembly is an absolute with these rifles. Not difficult but with the action bars in particular, it must be done right. Don't know if this is the problem with yours, but it could be.

I used a BAR in .300wm as my primary deer/elk rifle from 1974 until 1995 when I started hunting africa - no autos allowed - and replaced it with a Browning A-Bolt II in the same caliber. My BAR hasn't been out of the safe since (I should sell it) but it was/is a great rifle and I really enjoyed it.

After a horse tried to drown me, which resulted in a thorough dunking of the saddle scabbard in water and mud, I had to completely disassemble and clean out the mud in a WY elk camp. I only remember it was a major struggle to get the bolt out through the magazine well, but it can be done. I'd suggest you call Browning and speak with one of their gunsmith/technical service reps.

Good luck and let us know what results.

Thank you Mike...will keep you posted.

The bolt WILL NOT come out through the magazine well so DON'T TRY IT. You have to remove the stock and trigger assembly in order to remove the bolt through the REAR of the action. But first, you have to get the bolt moving.

First make sure that the gun is on safe and that there isn't a round jammed in the chamber. Not as strange as one might think. Did you try gently tapping on the bolt handle with a mallet? If it is stuck as a result of dried lube or rust, this will generally free it up, well, it and some lube. I would pull the forend and have a look, first, to make sure that the rails, or, action rods were correctly seated in their slots in the bolts sleeve and that the two support rails are not out of place. If everything appears correct and the bolt still will not move after using "gentle" force, then seek the services of a gunsmith. Avoid using heavy force!

quote:

Originally posted by Westpac:
The bolt WILL NOT come out through the magazine well so DON'T TRY IT. You have to remove the stock and trigger assembly in order to remove the bolt through the REAR of the action. But first, you have to get the bolt moving.

First make sure that the gun is on safe and that there isn't a round jammed in the chamber. Not as strange as one might think. Did you try gently tapping on the bolt handle with a mallet? If it is stuck as a result of dried lube or rust, this will generally free it up, well, it and some lube. I would pull the forend and have a look, first, to make sure that the rails, or, action rods were correctly seated in their slots in the bolts sleeve and that the two support rails are not out of place. If everything appears correct and the bolt still will not move after using "gentle" force, then seek the services of a gunsmith. Avoid using heavy force!

I tapped on the bolt handle with a rawhide mallet...didn't move. Then I spray some "Silikroil" in action in all the crevices, let it sit, and tried again with light tapping to no avail.

Seek professional help.

Lane -

Is yours an original BAR or a BAR II? Mine is an original and the bolt did come out, go back in and function just fine afterwards, without removing the buttstock. I do not remember if I had to pull the trigger group, as this incident was back in the mid 1980's. Not sure what the changes were on the BAR II or if that has any impact on removing the bolt.

Since I was in a self-guided Wyoming elk camp at the time, I did not have the option of seeking a gunsmith and either fixed it myself or didn't get my elk. In your situation, I'd speak with Browning first and follow their advice, or take it to your 'smith.

I had one in the shop that the customer described the same problem as you. He had mounted a scope and sighted it in last year. When he got it out this year the bolt would not open. I pulled the scope and bases, the front two base screws were a little too long, binding the bolt.
Just some thing to check.
Bobby

quote:

Originally posted by Bobby Bailey:
I had one in the shop that the customer described the same problem as you. He had mounted a scope and sighted it in last year. When he got it out this year the bolt would not open. I pulled the scope and bases, the front two base screws were a little too long, binding the bolt.
Just some thing to check.
Bobby

When I bought the rifle...it had some aluminum Weaver bases on it. I had Warne rings and a Leupod scope in shop. Mounted, shot, and decided to keep. Later...switched bases to Warne Steel bases. Now that I think about it...not sure that I shot it again.

Will remove bases and report back. Fellow in another thread told me same thing.

Hi Mike,

Mine is original Belgium made BAR.

Lane you may have too long of a screw in the bases.

The front base screws were just a smidge too long. Shortened them...all fine now! Thanks all.