Nice to read something from a happy camper 🥳

 

I received (pun intended) my first Brownells receiver today, and at first blush I am pleased with it. The barrel mortise is straight, finish is uniform, and there's no paint flaking off of it.

Before assembling it into its final configuration I tried all the bolts I had on hand to see how they fit:

• Brownells stainless bolt - slipped right in, very easy fitment.
• Faxon black nitride bolt - also fit into the receiver with no fuss, reciprocated smoothly.
• Kidd stainless bolt - didn't think it would fit at first, but eventually found the one specific angle that allowed it under the rail. Once installed, it had no problems. Getting it back out was a little challenging.

I know that there have been isolated issues with some bolts in Brownells receivers, and wanted to pass along that the sample of three I had on hand all worked. Also, a Feddersen barrel was an interference (though not thermal) fit in the receiver - it tapped in with judicious use of a rubber mallet at the rear of the receiver but did not require heat to install.

Won't get to shoot it for a while - lots of rain in the forecast over the next week - but my initial impression of the Brownells receiver is positive.

nice to hear you're happy with the purchase of the receiver..

could be wrong, but I don't think the Brownells have any paint to flake..I think they're anodized

 

They are anodized. Very nicely I may add.

 

I received (pun intended) my first Brownells receiver today, and at first blush I am pleased with it. The barrel mortise is straight, finish is uniform, and there's no paint flaking off of it.

Before assembling it into its final configuration I tried all the bolts I had on hand to see how they fit:

• Brownells stainless bolt - slipped right in, very easy fitment.
• Faxon black nitride bolt - also fit into the receiver with no fuss, reciprocated smoothly.
• Kidd stainless bolt - didn't think it would fit at first, but eventually found the one specific angle that allowed it under the rail. Once installed, it had no problems. Getting it back out was a little challenging.

I know that there have been isolated issues with some bolts in Brownells receivers, and wanted to pass along that the sample of three I had on hand all worked. Also, a Feddersen barrel was an interference (though not thermal) fit in the receiver - it tapped in with judicious use of a rubber mallet at the rear of the receiver but did not require heat to install.

Won't get to shoot it for a while - lots of rain in the forecast over the next week - but my initial impression of the Brownells receiver is positive.

Jerk. You made me order one. 🤣

P.S. - Just joking around. Don’t be insulted, but your post did motivate me to place an order.

 

LOL! No insult taken - I'm glad to be an agent of positive change. Which type did you get? I have the natural finish, smooth top.

In all honesty, I do like it better than the Ruger receivers I've handled lately - it definitely seems like an improvement. I wanted to share my experience to add a drop to the collective ocean of experience here.

 

I have been pleased with all of them that I have purchased from them. I'm lucky because I can drive over and buy them for the advertised price plus 7% sales tax no other fees. I have used a Kidd and Volquartsen bolt with no problems dropping in without doing any filing. The anodize finish has been exceptionally nice on the ones I have purchased. AND, the big thing the barrel bore is square to the receiver and bolt raceway.

 

I've used 3 of them in builds, all using a Kidd bolts. No issues with any of them.

 

Same here, I've got no issues with my BRN-22R receiver.

I went with a KIDD barrel, which are designed with an oversized tenon, so in lieu of reducing the diameter of the KIDD barrel tenon to fit the receiver bore I did the opposite and decided to enlarge the receiver bore instead...

...just enough to allow for a .001" interference fit between the two. I froze the barrel for 6 hours and heated (just) the receiver bore area quickly with a heat gun directly before assembly. When everything reached ambient temperature that barrel was toyt like a toyger and would probably stay put without any v-block fasteners.

I used the above for a Charger pistol clone build, and I'd not hesitate to recommend or buy another:

 

I just happen to have ordered a BRN-22 and a Feddersen barrel, went with the 18" taper so I'm liking this timely information.