That browning looks like it would be a lot of fun to play with.

 

Hope you appreciate the great gift your father in law has bestowed. Mine is the longer barrel version with synthetic grips. It is very accurate with great adjustable trigger.

 

I do understand and appreciate the gift…in more ways than I can express here. I’m a big Buckmark and Browning long gun fan. The best thing is that it was a gift, rather than an inherited pistol so I was able to thank him in person and will be able to share stories of me enjoying it. My FIL introduced me to firearms and hunting so that only increases the value for me.

 

I had a four inch Nomad, and my Gunsmithing friend sold me a six inch barrel, but I think the four inch barrel seemed a little more accurate.

 

Pretty sure that is a 1970 model. More knowledgeable members will add replies. I believe the older/earlier models had a one piece, fixed sight. Great guns. Great information here about those. Enjoy.

 

Early for me right now....you probably meant 1st series gun, made in Belgium, as opposed to Challenger II and III made here in the USA.

 

Those 4" Challengers just seem to be the right balance of barrel and grip. I always liked them a little more than the 6" models. Those one piece Walnut grips are just right for my hand. Enjoy your new Browning, they don't make them like that anymore!

 

Speaking of the one piece grip…

Is there anything under tension, or going to fall out of place, if I remove the grip to clean?

Thanks!

 

 

Nice pistol with some honest use. I like it. Thanks for sharing. Earlier models had a one piece front sight.

I don't know about the grip. I was never brave enough to try removing mine.

 

On the left side the slide release/hold open latch is held in place by the grip. It is easy to replace. Just be sure the spring is relocated in the notch in the slide release. On the right side the disconnector and its "V" spring are held in by the grip. These usually stay in place when the grip is removed. SO

 

Thanks Seaotter!

 

I inherited a first gen challenger with a box of all versions of original barrels, it makes for a versatile and fun pistol.

 

Very nice! Also, those grips generally need to be rotated slightly while removing them.

Not so much with wood, but I have some plastic / Novadur grips that catch in the left hand slot when reinstalling need to be spread gently to step over the grip frame.

 

I was able to put a couple of magazines thru the Challenger this evening. It shoots great, probably due to the fantastic trigger. I may be smitten!

 

Oh you are going to like that one! Have fun.

 

A long time since I owned one. If memory serves, nothing under spring tension that might go flying, but I believe that the slide latch is only retained by the presence of the grip.

 

My father in law recently gifted this pistol to me. I believe it is a first gen Browning Challenger due to the serial number ending in U70. It was his pest control pistol at his hunting and fishing cabin that he recently sold. Something I will definitely treasure. I cleaned it up yesterday and look forward to testing it out soon. I found a thread about converting Neos magazines to work with the Challenger so I will look into doing that as it came with only one magazine.

I have not posted in a long, long time but thought I’d share.

Beautiful!

 

Very nice pistol. The Belgian Browning 22 pistols have very few peers. I agree with earlier posts that indicate this is not early production--the early ones had the fixed blade front sight that was mounted directly to the barrel. I have always preferred the ramped and pinned sight such as you have on your Challenger.

The 4" barrel seems to balance better for me; I think you will treasure this fine gun from a bygone era.

 

If you like you can add the Medalist safety and the 'firing pin' [~5/64 x 5/16 pin] to the hammer and you then have the dry-fire feature of the Medalist on any Nomad or Challenger. The parts are still out there, you just have to find them.

 

I have a U69 (aka 1969) version of the Challenger with the longer barrel and it's the "bees knees" as we hipsters are wont to say! Beautiful, accurate and with a most excellent trigger.

Cheers,
AQBill

 

I have an earlier version with the long barrel and the tall blade (one piece) front sight. This is the most natural feeling grip in my hand - both the angle, and the size of it - feel as a natural extension of the arm. I am sure you will have lots of fun with it - enjoy! I love shooting both my Challenger and Nomads.