Browning B25

This month’s test gun is a Belgian made gun, produced in Browning’s Custom Shop at Herstal. Being a Belgian Browning, its 30” barrels are constructed on the demi-lump system (the over and under equivalent of chopper-lump). All mass market Browning had demi-lump barrels before the advent of the 425 model (the changeover in manufacturing method took place about half way through the 425’s life - so early guns may be demi-lump and later ones, monobloc). The English trade has always favoured demi and chopper lump production in better and best quality guns. In recent decades though, monobloc construction has become near universal in all but custom/very high end guns.

First impressions of the test gun, meanwhile, are very good. It handles well ‘dry’, and looks elegant. In particular, the hand engraving - first class scroll and realistic game birds - is striking. The well proportioned, semi-pistol grip, stock is also a plus. It is my favourite configuration for an over and under game gun with a single trigger.

Get a Grip

Recently, I had two identical guns in my hands - save for the grips. They were a pair of mass produced over and unders by another very well known maker, and someone had decided to remove the Prince of Wales grips and convert them to straight grip (a trendy conversion in some quarters). I had the chance to shoot the guns midway through the works. One gun had a straight grip and the other the original semi-pistol.

The handling differences were most intriguing. On crossing shots, it was much easier to control the unconverted - pistol gripped - gun, the new straight grip was far less efficient with regard to maintaining line and there was a tendency to shoot high with it too. On driven targets the two grips were almost as efficient as each other, but I still preferred the semi. Some of you may now be saying what about the merits or demerits of the full pistol compared to the Prince of Wales or semi? Well, the full pistol is the preferred grip for a clay gun - it maximises control - but it is not as good a grip on a game gun because it makes it harder to maintain a comfortable ready position when
the muzzles are held well up - tension is noticeable at the wrist. For a single-trigger game gun the semi is the best compromise. One gets controllability and comfort.

I am pleased to say, the semi-pistol seems to be coming back into vogue, especially as far as Browning’s custom production is concerned (where of course you can specify more or less what you like with regard to stock type, barrel length etc.). Browning makes a wonderfully consistent, good value product in Japan, but the flagship gun remains the Belgian made B25 ‘Superposed.’ It was, of course, the last design of Morman gunmaking genius, John Moses Browning who died at his bench in the factory perfecting it - leaving his son, Val, to sort out the single trigger (although the trigger on guns today has evolved considerably and is rather different to Val’s original single mechanism).

The Browning over and under is a little deeper in the action than some of its more modern rivals - it has a full width cross pin and a wide, flat bolt, engaging a bite beneath the bottom chamber mouth. It is still an elegant gun.

The pleasing lines and good handling qualities of the test gun are further enhanced by its barrels. These are notably lighter than the barrels in most of the Japanese made guns (which typically accommodate multi-chokes and are made with some margin with regard to wall thickness to protect against litigious US sportsmen who may not read their instruction books). The lighter, handmade, barrels of the Belgian made Brownings, I might add, have always been better suited my own style of shooting. They result in a move lively gun, or, perhaps you might say one with more ‘life’ in it.

The barrels are well struck up, fitted with solid joining ribs as befits a game gun and a vented 6mm sighting rib with traditional brass bead. Forcing chokes are short as Browning still prefer. Fit and finish on the test gun was very good in all but one department. There was a slight gap on the top piece of the forend wood on the left hand side and the forend iron. This might have been a shrinkage issue. This small point apart, the gun passed muster very well.

The action on the test gun is about as proven as any design could be. It has been in production for three quarters of a century. The Browning design puts the lumps beneath the barrel and includes a full width hinge pin as noted. Coil springs power the hammers. The trigger is elegantly shaped, solid, and plain steel (my preference - so much better than the unnecessary bling of gold-plating). Pulls are good, but not quite up to the standard of a side lock powered by leaf springs.

The classically shape stock was made from well-figured walnut and had good shelf dimensions. Drop was 1 ½” at the nose of the comb and 2 1/8” at heel. It measured a fraction under 15” and was finished without a butt-plate (which always looks better on an expensive gun in my opinion). There was some cast for a right hander, and it was notable that the toe was kicked out a little more than the norm. The semi-pistol grip design was especially good - it was big enough to feel really secure in the hand (thus maximising muzzle control). I also liked the tapered comb without obvious flutes at its nose. The comb on this gun might be the pattern for some of my own conversion work. Oil finish and chequering were both to a high standard.

Shooting Impressions

The gun shot well. The combination of relatively light barrels and a good grip shape worked admirably. The tapered comb was also a factor in relieving the face in recoil. B25s are never especially light in the felt recoil department, but this one was better than average and pleasing to shoot with Express HV 24 - our usual test fodder.

Overall, a well made gun with a bit of style, and proof positive that Browning are still making guns the old fashioned way - long may it continue.

PRICE (RRP): From about £14,000 depending on engraving