Say goodbye to the Browning A-Bolts

[ugaarguy]

Good Riddance

GOODBYE A-BOLT hello some subpar subcontracted replacement!

I never cared for the A-Bolt II design. I saw too many returned to the shop with extraction issues when I worked there prior to my enlistment, and was told nothing had changed when I moved back home. Miroku made the guns well; fit and finish was always acceptable at worst, and great at best. The design just had problems. Also keep in mind that nearly everything wearing the Browning name is sourced from a contract supplier - including the supplier who now owns that name.

Am I wrong? Didn't the deal with the Models 94, 70 , and 1300's have to include using the New Haven Plant to make those models again, if production was to resume? I thought I remember reading that. (this excluded the "commemoratives" made in Japan)

I believe that's only if they're branded as Winchesters. Both the push feed and controlled round feed Model 70 actions are still being built at FNMI in Columbia, SC for the FN PBR and A# series of tactical bolt action rifles. Miroku has also been building the Winchester 92 lever action as the Browning 92 for several years. If having them built at either the B.C. Miroku facility in Japan, or the FNMI plant in SC, and calling them Brownings gets controlled round feed, full length claw extractor Model 70s back on the market by skirting a union contract technicality I'm all for it.

This may be the beginnings of what I was told by an FN rep back in June when I asked about model 70s. I inquired as to whether or not FN had plans to make FN branded model 70s at FNMI or if they would even sell actions so folks could build sporting rifles. The response was something to the extent of they know what they have in the rights to build model 70s, and they aren't going to let one of the most popular hunting rifles ever die, so just wait and see because he couldn't tell me anything further at the time. This rekindles my hope of something good.

 

[George Hill]

ugaarguy, I thought that was the problem with the original A-Bolt, something fixed with the A-Bolt II. Because we sell a ton of them and don't have any returns on them for any problems.

 

[ugaarguy]

George that's interesting. It's not like we see a ton of them come back, but compared to Savage, Remington, and Ruger the return was pretty bad. Traditional belted magnum calibers seemed to be the worst. If I get some time one of these days maybe I'll poke around in the repair log and try to get some concrete numbers.