BL-22 Trigger Pull Data
 

UPDATE (May 16, 2019): The discussion of -- and complaints about -- BL-22 trigger pulls has been greatly affected by the introduction of an effective aftermarket trigger pull kit. For more on that, read https://www.rimfirecentral.com/forum...d.php?t=826922. Enjoy! Dave

Hi Folks!

Over the years, there's been occasional discussion (here, for example) about whether older BL-22s have lighter trigger pulls than later BL-22s.

Well, let's try to settle the debate ...

If you own a BL-22 and have some way of measuring the pull weight, measure that pull weight and post the following data in this thread:
- Serial Number (partial, if you wish)
- Year Made (from http://www.browning.com/customerserv...tail.asp?id=21)
- Pull weight

If you have the time and skills, please also post a photo of your BL-22 with the data. (That will address another common question -- whether earlier BL-22s have nicer wood than later BL-22s).

Thanks!
Dave

P.S. I'll post my info when I get home.

Here are results from my BL-22s:

70B22603 - 1970 - 5 pounds, 9 ounces
(By the way, this is an early "Patent Pending" version.)

http://www.buffingtonassociates.com/.../BL22_1970.jpg

47B40688 - 1974 - 5 pounds, 6 ounces

http://www.buffingtonassociates.com/.../BL22_1974.jpg

Enjoy!
Dave

BL22 trigger pull
 

My BL22 (purchased Oct. 2012, New, from Cabelas) 5 lbs 10oz, measured with Wheelers Trigger pull gauge
My Winchester 94/22, Legacy, grade "E" not shot much, only taken apart and put moloy on trigger. Measures 5 lbs
My Ruger 10-22, 1993 and only has Power hammer no other mods. Measures 3lbs 8oz.

BL-22 Trigger Pull weight survey
 

Hello dbuffington,

Here are my current BL-22's All of these rifles are first year production.

Here are mine in descending order by pull weight:

Browning BL-22 Grade I SN: 8B04216..........4.91 lbs Made in 1968

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...t66/011-15.jpg

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...t66/012-13.jpg

Browning BL-22 Grade I SN: 70B29053.........4.42 lbs Made in 1970

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps83bf8322.jpg

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps88bbc159.jpg

Browning BL-22 Grade II SN: 69B17826 4.11 lbs. Made in 1969

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...GradeII003.jpg

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...GradeII004.jpg

Browning BL-22 Grade II SN: 69B18880 4.06 lbs Made in 1969

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps7fe2df81.jpg

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...psc93eeb29.jpg

Browning BL-22 Grade II SN: 70B29726 4.01 lbs Made in 1970

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps9f3a14ec.jpg

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...pse9f3a34e.jpg

I included the pictures to address the wood quality question. Bear in mind that the finish on first year BL-22's was a hand applied shellac finish, very different from the urethane finish used after about 1972. Also many of the first year production rifles were made with beautiful reddish French Walnut, especially the Grade II rifles. This was also discontinued after about the end of 1970 to the beginning of 1971. All of the rifles pictured say "Patent Pending" on the barrel near the rear sight. Obviously most of the Grade I rifles will typically have fairly plain wood. The Grade II rifles vary widely in wood quality...most are very good, a few are rather plain, and some are truly exceptional. I hope this helps!

Kix

My '77 model = 4.25 lb.

http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/...BL-22scope.jpg

and my Grade II Classic Field Octagon = 5.5 lb.

http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/...v/BL22GIIA.jpg

Wow! Nice guns!

Thanks to all who have noted if (or if not) any modifications have been made to the fire control system. Even if you've just applied some moly lube, that's helpful to know.

Thanks again!
Dave

Not a modification, but an interesting factor ...

Earlier in the thread, I posted a 5 pound, 6 ounce pull weight for 47B40688 (1974).

I only recently purchased this gun, and while it's impossible to know for sure, I strongly felt that very few rounds had been fired in the gun.

So, today, I took it to the range for some quick sighting in, and put about 50 rounds through it.

Then, I brought it back home, and checked the pull weight again. The result?

An average 5 pound, 2 ounces. That's a small, but significant, but drop. (A 4 percent decrease, to be precise.) And yes, I repeated the three pull test to be sure.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!
Dave

Anywhere in the low 4# range isn't bad for that type of a field rifle.

Thanks! What year is the Octagon?
Dave

Pull weight on BL-22 triggers
 

There is no doubt that use over time combined with a good lubricant like lithium grease will improve the trigger on BL-22 rifles. The bearing surfaces begin to get smoother with use and certainly there will be less "gritty" feel and eventually a lighter trigger pull. This will vary much between individual rifles, but the pull will get better with use. I don't know about the newer models from 1998 and after, but this is true of older rifles.

Kix

Where would you lubricate? Thanks!
Dave

2010 grade 1 Nickel finish. Trigger's not as heavy as my revolvers(in double action)...shameless plug;)
[IMG]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9...s/DSCN1172.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9...psc314e7f5.jpg[/IMG]

I cannot believe I said that :o

Lubricate
 

Haaahhaahhahah!! LMAO!!!

Put a little dab of grease on the little triangular linkage component on the lever when it is open. Lubricate other moving parts of the trigger with a needle oiler.

The Grade I 1968 rifle at the top of my previous post is for sale on Gun Broker right now. Check it out:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=329435244

Kix

Made in 2008. No lube added but a little Remoil added to the Grade I. I was surprised the Grade I was over four pounds....it doesn't feel that heavy in actual use.

There is a huge difference between 4-5 # and 7#.

Trigger pull weight
 

Yes there is, particularly when you have a trigger that is prone to a gritty feel anyway. I have felt a LOT of BL-22 triggers and just like other rifles, there are some that are better than others, even among the early rifles. Some of this is how much they have been "broken in", but some of it is simply that some triggers are just better than others. The later rifles that were affected by the lawyer demands are worse still, although I have had minimal experience with these. Generally a BL-22 made before about 1984 will have a decent trigger that will get better with use. There are exceptions to this as there are with nearly all rifles. on the earlier rifles most are good, some are not and some are very good indeed!

Kix

trigger wt. pull
 

My bl/22 wt. is 5lb. 10oz. very crisp on my rcbs trigger scale. ( spring type) manuf. 1989.
marlin 39d 5lb. 6 oz. stock with wolf spring reduced to 3lb. 10 oz. manuf. 1972. the marlins trigger is not as crisp though. there seems to be more sear contact but its nicer to shoot because the trigger release doesnt disturb the rifle as much as the bl/22.
I have to learn how to post pictures.
Pictures make the threads more interesting.

Penn, most people upload their pics to a pic hosting site such as Photobucket. Once you have them there, view your "library" and you can pass you cursor over a little emblem in the upper right of the pic and the option to "get links" will appear. Selecting that will make a menu of links appear....right click on "IMG Code" and paste that link in your post here where you want that pic to appear.

Photobucket used to be a lot simpler, but they make you jump through more hoops now. :rolleyes:

photos
 

Thanks for the photo info. i will have to try it during the week.

4lbs. 2ozs. 1979 my dad bought it new for me for graduation. At that time they cost $160, the Marlin 39 cost $170, and the Winchester 1894 cost $150. I chose the BL-22 for its light weight and short lever throw. There are 20 some 22LR guns in the safe now, some that cost many times what the little Browning cost, but none that are of higher quality. I would like to be buried with my BL-22 and a brick of ammo, just in case I wind up in hell, so I can the shoot the horns off of satan.

Shooting the horns off of Satan!
 

:D:D:D:D:bthumb::bthumb::bthumb::bthumb:

Kix

1968 BL-22 on Gun Broker
 

GEEEEZ!

It seems like 20 people have e-mailed me about the 1968 BL-22 I have on GB asking if it is a Belgian made rifle. According to Browning, there were NO Belgian made BL-22's Production of the BL-22 rifles began at Miroku in Japan...even the prototypes!!! There were never any Belgian BL-22's!!!!

Kix

That is a common misconception since much of Browning's manufacturing went to Japan in 1975, long after the introduction of the BL-22.

Most folks think that all Browning 2000 shotguns were made in Japan, but some of the real early ones were made in Belgium.

Belgian Brownings
 

This is true and I understand how people can come to believe this. Many people equate the BL-22 with the Browning SA-22 and the Browning T-Bolt. Many of these were made in Belgium of course and later production rifles were made by Miroku in Japan. Because of this people think that the same thing happened with the BL-22. I wish that it were true...I would love to have a Belgian made BL-22!!!
That would just wind my clock!

Kix