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Questions-my first Browning BAR

Robin
I recently acquired a Belgian made Browning BAR(SN 579xx)chambered in 30.06. How do you determine the age and grade of the rifle? This one has scroll work on both sides of the receiver, on the trigger guard and on the bottom of the magazine holder. In addition, one side of the reciever has an engraved antelope head and the other side has an engraved bull elk head. The wood is very nice, with a few minor blemishes and all of the metal is a dark blue. I was told grade I has a plain receiver, so I know it isn't grade I. Any ideas?

Also, I was told that the magazine is easily detached from the floorplate devise. I don't want to force it. It is loose but so far I haven' been able to successfully detach it. Is there a trick to it? I did a search in the archives for threads on Browning BAR's a found that the rifle was considered "top shelf" for hunting type semi-autos. That made me feel good. This is the first semi-auto center fire hunting rifle that I have ever owned (didn't count the SAR 1). Most of my hunting has been with my Ruger # 1's. What a change, 1 round available to 5 rounds available.
Are there any other disassembly or cleaning tips you BAR veterans can pass along?

I shelled out $500.00 for the rifle and feel like it was a good value for the money. I plan to top it off with my best scope, a Leupold LPS variable scope (3.5-14x 50 mm),as soon as I locate some quality 30mm rings.
Thanks for your help.

Worry is the interest humans pay on the debt of miscalculation.
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Comments

4 comments

Date Votes
  • bnailon
    The mag will detach once the floorplate drops down. Once the floorplate is down, gently tug the mag from the top out and it should detach. Once it detaches, give it a little shot of Rem oil. It should snap right back in place.

    I am unsure of the Grade. My 30-06 looks exactly like yours with a black trigger. These Belgian Browning BARs were made about 1968-70.

    One thing to keep in mind when you are hunting with the BAR is to make sure that you pull the bolt back as far as possible and let it slam forward to chamber the round. It makes quite a ruckus in the stand, but I have had a chance at a good buck and the firing pin didn't hit the primer right--going "click" and off runs the buck. That was when I was trying to be quiet with chambering the round slowly in the stand. Lesson learned.

    Good luck.
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  • drl50
    You have Grade II BAR. Mine is serial 10XXX and was bought new in 1967. Set the rifle floor-plate up in your lap and release so mag is pointing straight up. Hold the end of the floor plate with your thumb and pull the clip out at the top. You'll find it is hinged at the bottom and kind of rotates out and off. If you pull at the bottom or even in the middle, it may not go. Once you see how it fits, it will become second nature.

    There are no extraordinary men...just extraordinary circumstances that ordinary men are forced to deal with. Admiral William "Bull" Halsey
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  • baaddawg
    bnailon is right about not letting the bolt close slowly. My wife missed a nice 10 point buck because of the very same thing.

    She loves her BAR, and has had plenty of success hunting with it.
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  • MIKE WISKEY
    just a note on maintanence, check the recoil buffer. a small piece of soft plastic between the recoil spring and receiver (under the forend). I have replaced a lot of these on the older bars, change the action spring while your at it. cost should be +- $10 for both [parts (check with brownells for parts).
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