Browning BAR-22

MR-7-45 · October 9, 2017, 11:16 AM

I inherited a Browning BAR-22. It is in very good condition. How can I tell where it was manufactured.
Serial number is 03052PY166. From the Browning website I gather this is a Grade 1 rifle, not sure of date. If I read the Browning site correctly this rifle was made in 1982
I understand the later models were made in Japan.

Any advice?

T. O'Heir · October 9, 2017, 11:55 AM

'PY' says 1982 to me too. '166' says Grade 1. Should say on it where it was made. However, Browning's site FAQ says Japan after the mid 70's. Stuff made in Japan in the 80's isn't by any stretch, low quality.
Manual is here too. http://stevespages.com/pdf/browning_...generation.pdf

MR-7-45 · October 9, 2017, 05:51 PM

Thanks much.

enstorm · November 4, 2017, 07:23 PM

bought a new bar 22 in about 81 or so in gun shop in Lewiston Idaho, made in japan stamped on it. first time I cleaned it with common gun solvent the "bluing" wiped right off. Later reblued the whole rifle then traded it a few years later for, well, 4 new Japanese truck tires.

October 9, 2017, 11:16 AM	#1
MR-7-45 Member Join Date: October 4, 2005 Location: Central Texas Posts: 70	Browning BAR-22 I inherited a Browning BAR-22. It is in very good condition. How can I tell where it was manufactured. Serial number is 03052PY166. From the Browning website I gather this is a Grade 1 rifle, not sure of date. If I read the Browning site correctly this rifle was made in 1982 I understand the later models were made in Japan. Any advice? __________________ MR-7-45 Life Member NRA & VFW I load my own.

October 9, 2017, 11:55 AM	#2
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	'PY' says 1982 to me too. '166' says Grade 1. Should say on it where it was made. However, Browning's site FAQ says Japan after the mid 70's. Stuff made in Japan in the 80's isn't by any stretch, low quality. Manual is here too. http://stevespages.com/pdf/browning_...generation.pdf __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

October 9, 2017, 05:51 PM	#3
MR-7-45 Member Join Date: October 4, 2005 Location: Central Texas Posts: 70	Thanks much. __________________ MR-7-45 Life Member NRA & VFW I load my own.

November 4, 2017, 07:23 PM	#4
enstorm Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2005 Posts: 217	bought a new bar 22 in about 81 or so in gun shop in Lewiston Idaho, made in japan stamped on it. first time I cleaned it with common gun solvent the "bluing" wiped right off. Later reblued the whole rifle then traded it a few years later for, well, 4 new Japanese truck tires.