Opinions on Browning BARs

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SamlautRanger

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Need feedback on Browning BAR semi-auto rifles. How is the reliability and accuracy. Any trouble with the rifle jamming (FTF, FTE)? Thanks.
 
BAR.jpg

Or

browning-bar.jpg


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The BAR Safari MkII I have in 7mm Rem.Mag. has been 100% reliable and accurate to boot.
NICE GUN.
Pick the version you like and have the pleasure of owning one!
Good Luck and Have Fun. :)
 
My aunt's boyfriend has one in 30-06 and loves it. It's been absolutely reliable and shoots sub minute-of-bambi out to a few hundred yards. The gas operation also makes the recoil pretty soft. If you want a benchrest gun, then obviously it isn't it. But as a hunting rifle it definitely gets the job done.
 
I've thought off-and-on about getting one, in .30-06 or .338 WinMag. I like the looks, but haven't been able to figure out why I would get it. It's heavier than a bolt-action and I don't know what advantage it would have over one. I guess softer recoil in .338 would be a plus...

Sorry, S-Ranger, I know this is not what you were asking for, since I don't have experience with them, but I would also love to hear what others have to say about them. For some reason, I would love to be talked into one.

I hope they are much better than Rem 740s/7400s. I've not had one of those, either, but the ones I've seen in use were jammers.
 
I used to shoot a buddy's winchester 1918 commercial BAR, such giggles, till you realised even at 4 bucks a box for surplus ammo, it had cost you about 140 bucks for an afternoons fun,...After Browning pinned a hallowed name on a tempermental made in japan posseur, I never felt a new BAR was worth it......




now running and ducking for cover,
 
About the best point of reference for the BAR is the Remington 742/7400. The BAR is far better made, far more accurate after the barrel warms up, and far more reliable than the Remington Semiauto.

They are good guns all around.
 
I liked the weight and balance of the alloy/short barrel model and considered one a few years ago in in .308. I finally backed away after learning that I couldn't get the bolt out to clean it. I'm sure it works just fine without that capability, but I like to be able to field strip something further than that.

Jaywalker
 
I don't know about the current ones, but my uncle still uses an early Belgian-made .30-06 and my dad had a used .280 for a few years. No problems at all with either one.

JT
 
I've got a very early Belgian .308 that I really like. My brother has an more recent Japanese version, and I don't notice much difference, other than the fact that the sight hood on the newer version won't fit the old.
 
I shot a BAR in .30-06 a few months ago, and was impressed with the soft recoil while shooting 220 gr whompers
 
I've always cursed Browning for naming this series of rifles "BAR's".

I've always wanted a BAR (since I played Call of Duty that is) and I can't manage to convince myself to wash way three grand on a modern repro.

Anyone want to buy me one?
 
Gorgeous bit of Belgian smoothness...

Accurate, reliable, easy-recoiling, and a good looking rifle, to boot!

My 1969 Grade I Belgian BAR in .30-06:

barbenchsmall.gif

I used to own a Remington 742 autoloader. Keywords are "used to". ;)
 
Quote:
"No opinion on the new bar but the old BAR, WOW. Isn't that what Cage used to carry on "Combat"?"

Wrong. Kirby carried the BAR; Caje carried a garand. I watch Combat almost every weekday night on the American Life channel.
 
I've heard that BAR mags (as in 1918 BAR) will work in older BARs (as in .30-06 hunting rifles). Something like only the ones made before '92 or something, and (obviously) only the ones in .30-06.

Is this true?
 
I have heard a few negatives on the BAR (hunting rifle) over the years, mainly because some guy just buys it and goes hunting the next day.

Obviously, a proper test fir (200 rounds?) is needed, proper cleaning, lube, sighting, etc.


Also, be ready for the dealer to try to hose you on an extra mag. I bought a BLR (lever action ) .He wanted $75 !!!!!!!! (I bought from factory for $32. That was seven years ago.)
 
Dad had one in a .270 Win for years. No problems with factory ammo. For some reason Dad's reloads turned it into an inefficient single-shot - mostly FTE. As others have already said, recoil was soft. That was real good for Dad as he's always been recoil shy.
 
About the best point of reference for the BAR is the Remington 742/7400. The BAR is far better made, far more accurate after the barrel warms up, and far more reliable than the Remington Semiauto.
Click to expand...
Actually, from what I've heard, the Benelli R1 is a better comparison. My dad used to have a 742 (that he regrets selling of course), that was dead reliable, but I've heard nothing good about the 7400. The R1 on the other hand, is supposed to be lighter and slightly more accurate than the BAR (and looks pretty cool IMO), but costs between $100 and $200 more from the prices I've seen.
 
Been shooting one in 338 for just shy of two decades. Accurate and easy on the shoulder. Best shot open sighted was at 500m on an E series steel target with factory 225. Ranged on round one, corrected for windage on two and got metal on metal on round 3. After that if I missed it was on me. It would do it hot/cold and with different shooters. No porblems with FTF,FTE with factory or loaded to factory spec ammo.
 
OOW BAR

I have a 1918BAR semi and it runs and shoots great very accurate and i have shot many rounds out in a row as fast as i could change the mags and the only thing that i saw was a little smoke comming from the forend wood i shot about a 100 rounds as fast as i could from the hip and stopped before i started to stand out.from what i have read it will take a couple thousand in a row to burn a barrel. and barrels are $$$$$
 
You will not regret the browning. They work fine, are very accurate and easy on the shoulder. I have never had any browning product that did not work 100% out of the box.

I don't care for the alum. receivers on the newer ones as steel is stronger. I never cared much for alum. or plastic on my guns with the exception of the smith airweight revolvers. Call me old fashion if you like, but that's my story and I'm sticking to it. Look around for a used bar that was made in Belgium as they hold their value more than the Jap. ones. I have never shot a Jap. bar, but I have looked at them and the quality control is every bit as good as the Belgium one's.
 
I had a Belgian 30'06 Grade II many years ago. Great rifle in every respect.


bluedsteel



<<I will NOT vote for McCain, Giuliani, or Romney.>>

...so I guess you'll be voting for Hillary...
 
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