Curio and Relic: FN Baby Browning misfeeds

[The Scandinavian]

Hi

I've just aquired a fairly neat FN Baby Browning, which according to the serial numbers on the Browning website was made in 1962.

The pistol is astonishingly accurate for something so tiny but it will rarely go through an entire magazine without a misfeed.

The worst problem is with the last cartridge, that usually rotates upwards and ends up vertically in the magazine with the bullet trapped between the slide and the chamber.

Occasionally this will happen when there are still cartridges in the magazine, ie the nose of the round rotates too high up and gets stuck between the slide and the back of the barrel at the top.

The first two or three cartridges are the most reliable so I was wondering if a stronger spring would help? I have the feeling that this would prevent the rear of the cartridge being pushed down into the magazine so easily as the slide comes forward.

I'm using S&B FMJ ammo, which works 100% in my (presumably 1930's) Browning 'Vest Pocket' 1906. There is no obvious damage, wear or deformation of the feed lips.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I've thought to test the spring out of the '06's magazine in the Baby as both pistols are approximately the same size. I'd be very interested to hear if anyone else has had a similar problem - especially if they have cured it

Many thanks

"T.S."

 

[Carl N. Brown]

The feed lips of the magazine could be slightly sprung
open without any obvious appearance of damage or
deformation. If you have two Baby browning magazines,
compare how the cartridges present themselves in the
magazines.

 

[cmidkiff]

Weak mag spring, perhaps?

 

[The Scandinavian]

Thanks for the reply.

Unfortunately I only have the one magazine - although MEC-GAR in Italy do still make them, so there could be a solution there.

The nearest I have for comparison is an FN 06 Vest Pocket magazine. Compared to that the lips are actually tighter, especially at the front. This could of course be contributing to the problem. However the shape and profile of the magazine in this area is such that it would be very difficult to open the lips out slightly without inadvertantly widening the magazine at the top.

I like the suggestion of comparing with a "known good" one though. It is possible that I can find a used one for sale here. I have already sent an email to MEC-GAR enquiring about new ones.

Thanks again

"T.S."

 

[sm]

 

[The Scandinavian]

...and in the mean time I'll try stretching the existing spring to see if that helps, or provides further clues...

 

[CZguy]

...and in the mean time I'll try stretching the existing spring to see if that helps, or provides further clues...

Don't stretch springs, that severely weakens them. You can easily get a new spring from Wolf gunsprings.

http://www.gunsprings.com/1ndex.html

The magazines for the 1906 Browning and Baby browning are different and can't be used for comparison.

You may wish to consider a Triple K brand magazine. I bought one for my 1906 Browning, and am very happy with it.

http://www.triplek.com/Pages/Magazines/index.cfm/gun_magazine_detail/483

 

[The Scandinavian]

Thanks - I've already contacted Wolff and unfortunately they don't make springs for the Baby.

Yesterday I too noticed that the 06 has a much longer magazine.

I was only thinking of gently stretching the spring as a temporary measure..

I have sent an email to Triple-K to ask if they have an importer here. I'm still waiting to hear from MEC-GAR but ultimately it may be easier to purchase from them as they are in Italy, which is also in the Euro Currency area. Therefore I should be able to pay by bank transfer, ie. no need for a credit card which I don't have (my choice!) .

Cheers

"T.S."

 

[Onmilo]

Go ahead and buy the Mec-Gars, their stuff is top notch.
Remember to keep the original magazine to retain any collector value on the pistol.

 

[The Scandinavian]

Yeah, I just got an email from them including a list of the Finnish wholesalers that represent MEC-GAR here.

Of course I'll keep the original - I never throw anything away, certainly not things like this!!

 

[jcc2]

Browning 1906 Vest Pocket Model

Hi Scandinavian!

Greetings from Lima, Peru!

In your initial post you mentioned:

"I'm using S&B FMJ ammo, which works 100% in my (presumably 1930's) Browning 'Vest Pocket' 1906."

I have recently inherited from a relative the same gun and was wondering the manufacture date.... Its serial No. is 792,XXX and perhaps you might be able to tell me more or less when this gun was made, or at least point in the right direction as to where can I find this info?

I have not shot it yet - waiting for the licensing paperwork period before going to the range. Will let you guys know if it has feeding problems.

Stay safe!

Juan Carlos

Edit: PD: Ooooppppssss!!!!! Had not seen the following post! My Bad!

JC