Browning BL22 Info

[OHHJIMMY]

I've got a Browning BL22 on the way, and I am wondering if y'all have any tips, etc. I will be using it for squirrill hunting.

[Deadeye351]

Red dot!! and then  get you  another one to  put beside it! I  LOVE them .

[Graybeard]

I prefer a fixed four or 2-7 variable set at 4X on a rimfire squirrel rifle. But I just can't bring myself to scope my BL-22 it's just too handy with factory irons even if it does limit my range and accuracy some.

[OHHJIMMY]

I think I'm gonna agree with you on this one, Graybeard. I'm gonna try it for a while witout a scope. When you get to be our age though, the eyes may overule. I had a Marlin 39a when I was young and it was a lot of fun. I hope the Browning will be, too.

[Oldtimer]

I haven't gotten out the tape measure, but the BL-22 sights seem to be better than most of my other .22 rifles.  You could try having another dovetail cut further up the barrel.  I've seen a lot of old muzzleloaders that were modified in that way to make up for aging eyes.  I have put a scope on mine at times, but I think it messes up the balance and the carrying qualities, so if I want a scope I will pull something else out of the safe.  A BL-22 is one of the best woods loafing rifles that I can think of.  Enjoy!

[old coach]

Does anyone know how to lighten the trigger pull on the Browning BL-22?   
My trigger breaks @ 11 lbs. That is not good for accuracy.

[Michael H]

Amen! on the trigger pull.  I have two of them and they both are too heavy for real accuracy scope or not.
I'm hesitant to take it too a smith.  They are really well made and with open sights they are pleasant to the eye.
If anyone reading this can share an experience about decreasing the pull please share.

[OHHJIMMY]

This question has also been asked in the Browning forum by me and another guy. No answer yet. Mine is 5 lbs. I would like to get down to about 2. I had a Browning .22 auto in the early 60's and it had the best trigger of any rifle I have ever owned. Light, crisp, perfect!

[Charles/NM]

You  can lighten the BL-22 trigger quite a bit by putting much lighter springs in the trigger guard in front of the trigger and under the little pointy thing the trigger moves. I also cut around 1 1/2 coils from the lever return/hammer spring . I lubed evey contact point in the action with a moly grease.  Pull is about 5 pounds now.  Was originally around 9 pounds.  Much nicer now to the point that I don't notice it's trigger pull when plinking with it.

[1 farmer]

Dad bought me my first gun a Browning lever action 22 in 1978 for christmas. I have shot thousands of rounds through it and many squirrels,coon,rabbits. I had a little fox terrier dog I hunted with and he would hunt just about anything. I put a 4x weaver scope on mine and added a sling. I will never part with this gun so I set it up the way I liked. The trigger pull is heavy but I would becareful on modifying it. I had my local gun smith lube and try to modify mine and the lever doesnt lock up tight every once in a while so it doesnt shoot at all. You have to wiggle and squeeze it slightly to make it fully seat. If I had it to do over I wouldnt ,and I have been afraid to take it to anyone else to try to fix it.Its a great gun that will last you many years.Besides that lever actions are just cool!

[Charles/NM]

It sounds like he removed the tiny spring under the little pointy thing in the lever behind the trigger.  At first glance that looks like a good thing to do.  I tried it and it gives the exact symptoms you describe.  Gotta have some sort of spring in there. I would either take back and ask him to undo what ever he did or look under the pointy thing to see if it still has it's spring. 

[DEACONLLB]

Hi All
This may tell you how old I am but when browning came out with the bl22 in  late 60 I bought the first one that hit the shop and the only problem I have ever had with it is that it had a problem of firing when you closed the leaver. I called browning and they sent the replacement part to the local browning gun smith and he repaired it at no charge how is that for service. One other thing the full purchase price was a whopping 69.00 and look at the price now how is that for increasing in value.

Deaconllb