Need help with Browning Safari BARII

[B.D. Turner]

Just took a Browning Safari Grade BAR II on trade. I know little of nothing about these rifles. I cannot get the bolt to pull back any clues? There is also a lever above the front of the mag well what does that do? The rifle is 99% so I doubt anything is broken just need an operating lesson.

 

[TexasRifleman]

The lever just in front of the trigger guard underneath drops the mag.

The little lever on the right just above the magazine is the bolt release.

Either it's simply corroded in place or something has broken.

If the bolt won't come back at all there really isn't anything mechanical to prevent it.

I'd drop the mag and just try a little harder. If it still won't budge it's time to take things apart.

 

[B.D. Turner]

Thanks TexasRifleman, You will never guess. A round had been left in the chamber and corroded to the point that it was making the bolt stick. I kept bumping it with a rubber mallet until I got the bolt to come back and out popped a light green 300 win mag round which was very live.

Folks you may think you know everything there is to know about firearms. (I thought I knew a bunch)
However always think safety if you don't know ask someone who does. Had I assumed the rifle was unloaded it could have been a disaster. Treat em all as loaded.

 

[Olympus]

There are little rods that hold the mechanism inside the receiver. You can take a small punch and hammer and tap them out and slide the whole internal mechanism out. If the bullet was corroded, then you should probably get some solvent and oil on the rest of the action just as a precaution. I have the BAR Safari as well and have had nothing but problems with it for accuracy. It is absolutely a beautiful rifle and has never rammed or failed to eject. It just won't group. My experience is you either love them or hate them.

 

[B.D. Turner]

Gave her a good cleaning and gave it a run, first impression was good. I swore I would never need a magnum rifle and likely still don't but it shoots good and I am happy.