Browning BAR .22; 1977-1985. Quality/Reliablity??

[Big Paulie]

Dear Folks,

  I saw a very nice looking used Browning BAR in .22 rimfire, made in Japan, with large size walnut stock, tube fed. These were made in Japan, and only made from 1977-1985.   (This is not the same as the Browning .22 auto take-down model, which is very skinny and skeletal and has been made forever.)

   Does anyone have any experience or comments regarding the quality and reliability of the BAR .22?    It is curious to me that such a beautiful rifle would only be made for 7 years.  Were there problems with quality or reliability?  Accuracy?

  Thanks for all information and guidance.

Big Paulie.

[Special Ed]

I always thought they were a beautiful rifle. Never had the money for one while they were in production & they aren't easy to find now.
My guess on why they were dropped was the cost of it. Most people don't want to spent a lot on money on a 22.

Ed

[wood guy]

I have a Bar 22 that was my first 22 of my own. I got it in 1977 , I was 17 then. I couldn't begin to tell you how many rounds I've put through it, but it must be in the tens of thousands. I still own it, love it dearly, and it will still put a whole magazine of hollow points in the cap of a milk jug at 50 yards. I haven't seen very many of these at gun shows through the years, maybe 3 - 4. I always liked it because it felt like a "big rifle" instead of just a little 22. For what it's worth, I've had a Bushnell 2 1/2 power scope on it, and also a Tasco 30mm red dot, and the red dot was just great for snowshoe rabbits! Hope this helps you out. I'd grab the gun in a heartbeat, if it were me!