are the browning BAR's worth the money?

chuckmatlock · November 17, 2007, 09:49 AM

I am looking for a BAR in .270 but they seem quite expensive, are they worth it?

Art Eatman · November 17, 2007, 10:35 AM

I don't guess I've ever heard a bad comment about them in all the years they've been in production. My only objection is the weight, but that's just me.

The gist of it all is that they're an accurate semi-auto, and quite reliable. I've never shot one, so I can't comment about the trigger's quality.

FWIW, Art

chuckmatlock · November 17, 2007, 11:08 AM

can't seem to make up my mind, big price difference though.

Scorch · November 17, 2007, 01:07 PM

The Brownings have a solid reputation for accuracy and durability. Although I also think they are a bit heavy, I love BARs.

TreyNC · November 19, 2007, 09:09 AM

I have and old one my grandfather had. It's on target every time and I have taken many deer with it. It is even heavier than the newer ones. The only complaint I have about the BAR is that Browning doesn't make guns, BAR's are not American made. Can't say this is true for the current year production run, but I bet they say made in Japan.

Dirty_Harry · November 19, 2007, 09:18 AM

My father has one in .308. It is an extremely nice rifle, accurate, nice fit and finish, and handy. The trigger is ok as triggers go, his is an older model so they might have improved them over the years.

Also have you looked at the Remingtons? I would get the BAR or the Remington, the winnies just have not been out as long.

Gewehr98 · November 19, 2007, 12:52 PM

Or they might say "Made in Belgium" like mine, or even "Made in Belgium, Assembled in Portugal".

My 1969 Belgian BAR in .30-06 will go with me to my dirt nap. I'll need a big casket, but it's been a real sweetheart of a rifle to me.

TreyNC · November 19, 2007, 01:35 PM

Mine is a '68 with the engraving on the side. "Made in Belgium" is what it says. How's you trigger Gewehr98, mine is crap. Never noticed until I decided to try for some bench rest shooting just to see what it would do. I also cannot find a gunsmith in my area to boot.

Gewehr98 · November 19, 2007, 02:27 PM

Crisp, around 3.5-4lbs, no problem.

I do clean my BAR upside-down, though. It's an old trick that I learned which keeps the gunk out of the lockwork where I would imagine it could affect trigger pull.

November 17, 2007, 09:49 AM	#1
chuckmatlock Member Join Date: September 25, 2007 Posts: 44	are the browning BAR's worth the money? I am looking for a BAR in .270 but they seem quite expensive, are they worth it?

November 17, 2007, 11:08 AM	#3
chuckmatlock Member Join Date: September 25, 2007 Posts: 44	thanks, it is a browning or a winchester 740? can't seem to make up my mind, big price difference though.

November 17, 2007, 01:07 PM	#4
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	The Brownings have a solid reputation for accuracy and durability. Although I also think they are a bit heavy, I love BARs. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

November 19, 2007, 09:18 AM	#6
Dirty_Harry Senior Member Join Date: January 11, 2006 Location: Kalamazoo, MI Posts: 1,484	My father has one in .308. It is an extremely nice rifle, accurate, nice fit and finish, and handy. The trigger is ok as triggers go, his is an older model so they might have improved them over the years. Also have you looked at the Remingtons? I would get the BAR or the Remington, the winnies just have not been out as long. __________________ "The only purpose for a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you never should have laid down." "I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people and I expect the same from them." -John Wayne

November 19, 2007, 12:52 PM	#7
Gewehr98 Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2000 Location: Token Creek, WI Posts: 4,067	They might say "Made in Japan"... Or they might say "Made in Belgium" like mine, or even "Made in Belgium, Assembled in Portugal". My 1969 Belgian BAR in .30-06 will go with me to my dirt nap. I'll need a big casket, but it's been a real sweetheart of a rifle to me. __________________ "Bother", said Pooh, as he chambered another round... Neural Misfires

November 17, 2007, 10:35 AM	#2
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	I don't guess I've ever heard a bad comment about them in all the years they've been in production. My only objection is the weight, but that's just me. The gist of it all is that they're an accurate semi-auto, and quite reliable. I've never shot one, so I can't comment about the trigger's quality. FWIW, Art

November 19, 2007, 09:09 AM	#5
TreyNC Member Join Date: February 13, 2007 Posts: 90	I have and old one my grandfather had. It's on target every time and I have taken many deer with it. It is even heavier than the newer ones. The only complaint I have about the BAR is that Browning doesn't make guns, BAR's are not American made. Can't say this is true for the current year production run, but I bet they say made in Japan.

November 19, 2007, 01:35 PM	#8
TreyNC Member Join Date: February 13, 2007 Posts: 90	Mine is a '68 with the engraving on the side. "Made in Belgium" is what it says. How's you trigger Gewehr98, mine is crap. Never noticed until I decided to try for some bench rest shooting just to see what it would do. I also cannot find a gunsmith in my area to boot.

November 19, 2007, 02:27 PM	#9
Gewehr98 Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2000 Location: Token Creek, WI Posts: 4,067	Typical Browning trigger. Crisp, around 3.5-4lbs, no problem. I do clean my BAR upside-down, though. It's an old trick that I learned which keeps the gunk out of the lockwork where I would imagine it could affect trigger pull. __________________ "Bother", said Pooh, as he chambered another round... Neural Misfires