Author Topic: BAR Mk 1 Type 2  (Read 875 times)

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Offline 32WINSPL

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BAR Mk 1 Type 2
« on: May 23, 2008, 11:05:01 AM »
Howdy;
          I have an opportunity to pick up a 1989 manufacture BAR. Can any one help me to find information about this rifle please? Loading, unloading...cleaning...that type of stuff. Thanks in advance.

                                                                                  32 Win. Spl.

Offline Rangr44

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Re: BAR Mk 1 Type 2
« Reply #1 on: May 23, 2008, 02:06:29 PM »
If the price is right, buy it - Browning will send you a free manual on request, which has loading & disassembly pics.

http://pdf.textfiles.com/manuals/FIREARMS/browning_bar.pdf

http://www.midwestgunworks.com/page/mgwi/ctgy/browning-bar-rifle-field-service-manual

INHO, they're the classiest autoloader ever made - much nicer than the newer Browning "Trac"/Benelli variations, and Remmy's, by far.
There's a Place for All God's Creatures - Right Next to the Potatoes & Gravy ! !

Offline 32WINSPL

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Re: BAR Mk 1 Type 2
« Reply #2 on: May 23, 2008, 06:12:26 PM »
Rangr44;
            Thanks for your response and the information you are able to provide. I checked out the Browning site info and it seems to deal with the MkII Safari only. The bolt closure device is non-existent on the Mk 1 but I think overall it does contain helpful info, the kind I was looking for. I understand that with the Mk 1, to open the magazine you have to pull back on the bolt cocking arm with one hand and while held back, operate the magazine release to allow the floor plate to swing out and expose the magazine. In this way you can open the magazine for filling. I am interested to know if one can have a total of 5 rounds available with the Mk1, (4 in the magazine and "one up the spout") or if you must always load the chamber from the rounds available in the magazine, giving a total of 4 rounds available. I agree with your opinion on the BAR. I am weighing the BAR against the Rem 74/740/7400/750 and from what I see and read, the BAR is a better rifle. Of course, individual rifles can vary and it could be that this rifle I have in mind is a lemon. I've heard of the Remingtons to be know as 'Jam-o-matics' and I have heard of  BAR's that fall into the same category. Time will tell with this particular rifle. She sure looks nice. Comes with Burris Rings and a Burris single piece mount, for $679 Canadian. IMHO firearms seem to cost more in Canada then in the USA. Maybe fewer people in the market??

                                                                                                32WS   

Offline Rangr44

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Re: BAR Mk 1 Type 2
« Reply #3 on: May 24, 2008, 12:07:44 AM »
Telephone Browning, and they will send you the correct manual.

It's not a good idea, IMHO, to rely on information available on websites, as it's often inaccurate, mis-placed, or out-of-date.
Manufacturer websites, particularly, glorify their latest/greatest, because that's what they have a vested interest in selling [n]now[/b], and can be mis-leading for the unwary about older goods.

I've owned some kind of BAR, ever since about two years after they were introduced.

You are correct, the bolt must be either closed or held back to swing down the floorplate/mag, since the magazine follower is also the bolt hold-open device.

Once it's down, the mag can either be reloaded in place, or replaced with another, loaded mag - since they readily snap in/out, on/off the inside of the floorplate.

The chamber can be manually loaded - but under no circumstances should the bolt be slowly closed/lowered in place.
The bolt should be allowed to snap fully forward ubder it's own spring pressure, from it's rearward position.
The first cartridge can also be fed from the mag, the bolt closed as above, then the floorplate opened to top off the mag for a full capacity.

I've never had a BAR jam, as long as it was firmly shouldered, and not allowed to "float".
That includes a Made-in-Belgium model, two made-in-Belgium/Assembled-in-Portugal models, and another I can't recall the pedigree on.  I bought one new, and the remainder "used".
I've also owned a new Remington 7400 Satin, for a few years, without problems.

BTW - I used to be the RangeMaster at my gun club, and as such, I ran "Public Sighting-in Days" every year for fifteen years.
During that time, almost w/o exception, the shooters that had to rezero their rifles, because the rifle didn't hold zero, were shooting Remington 740/742/74/7400 series rifles.
No-one, shooting a BAR (there were about 10% as many as Remington shooters) had problem one, with a wandering zero or jam.
There's a Place for All God's Creatures - Right Next to the Potatoes & Gravy ! !