Browning SA22

When I was a kid I used to go to the fun fair for two reasons; 1 – the dodgems and 2 –the 22 rimfire shooting gallery; you can proberly guess which I preferred? It was just a case of getting rounds down range; equipment choice generally consisted of the Winchester Model 62 pump-action and the Browning SA22 semi-auto rifles. If ever there where a pair of classic rimfires these were it!

Both guns are still available today – A Winchester copy is made by Taurus of Brazil and the SA22 still by Browning/Miroku and it’s this that’s on test. Back then the guns were loaded by the stall owner and handed over for us to shoot, so I had no knowledge of the workings – just butt in the shoulder and pull the trigger. Though aware of the SA22 I have never shot one since and more out of nostalgia I thought it was about time I did! However the design does offer some interesting, unique and unusual features.

HISTORY LESSON

Like so many inventions of John Moses Browning (JMB) the SA22 was a first, being the first production 22 semi ever. It rolled off the line at FN Herstal in Belgium in 1914 until production was shifted to Miroku of Japan in 1976 where it’s still made today as are a number of Browning/Winchester rifles and shotguns. It’s estimated that over ½-million guns have been sold since its inception. Build is 100% old school with an all-steel receiver and walnut furniture only and chambered in 22 Long Rifle (LR). Feed is from a 10-shot tube magazine, which is mounted in the butt as opposed to under the barrel like the Winchester 62.

Different yes; but it also means you can easily fit a moderator unlike the Model 62 and similar as the mag tube gets in the way when loading. Another advantage is the ability of the rifle to use any mix of 22 rimfire ammo – Short, Long and of course the longest - LR! Due to the straight-line feed system where cartridge overall length (COL) is not critical unlike a box mag system. Though the LR seems to be the standard for modern 22 rifles, the ability to drop down to say a 22 Short sub-sonic for certain roles is attractive.

DOWN AND UNDER

If you’re not familiar with the layout the SA22 can be a little initially confusing as it appears to have no cocking handle or ejection port. Crafty JMB placed this all on the bottom in a bid to reduce gas and debris being blown into the shooters face; we’ve all been there on side ejecting guns and it’s annoying! This also means that empties eject downwards, which can be a mixed blessing as hot 22 shell casing are not the sort of thing to be rolling around your shirt! The cocking handle is simple; a cross-lug at the front of the bolt, which is easily operated by either trigger finger. The outcome of this design is very much an ambidextrous layout, which would bring a smile to confirmed lefty Jules Whicker’s face!

Now a feature I’m not really sure is required is the fact that the SA22 has a quick removable barrel. Sounds cool I admit and on such a diminutive design it breaks down into a very compact package. Saying that it’s a tiny little rifle anyway with a 20” barrel, a length of 37” and weighing 5lbs 3oz; petite might be a better word. The barrel is retained by an interrupted thread with a sprung catch at the front of the receiver keeping it in position.

This is not a switch barrel as say a Blaser R8 and it does bring its own problems and solutions to the party. First there’s no provision for fitting a scope mount on the receiver, which is the most logical location for it short of gunsmithing. Second; iron sights are fitted to the barrel and they are basic with a windage-adjustable blade up front and a folding U-notch at the rear. Good enough for shorter ranges but not precise! OK I accept that the SA22 was made in a time when scopes did not exist as we know them today and .22 rimfire hunting was a much shorter range affair.

There is however a solution as you can get a cantilever scope base that screws onto the rear of the barrel. Which means and oddly like the Blaser R8; optic and barrel come OFF/ON as one. However, at the time of testing Browning could not provide one, so all shooting was within the limitations of the irons!

CONTROLS AND BUILD

The rifle is well blued and the sides of the receiver on this the standard (Grade 1) model are lightly engraved. The walnut is of good quality and finished in a heavy varnish, which can get dinged all too easily. The butt shows a rounded pistol grip and the forend is bulbous, both areas being nicely chequered. At the rear is a slim, steel butt plate with a cut-out in the middle so you can access the magazine follower.

From the box the rifle needs assembling, which is easy enough though you must bear in mind it has an adjuster collar to ensure the most secure barrel lock up and engagement. It locates by an interrupted screw thread. Holding the rifle with the ejection port upwards slide the barrel assembly into the receiver at 3 o’clock position when it’s fully flush rotate it to 6 o’clock until the catch at the rear of the forend engages with the cut-out in the receiver. If it’s too tight or loose then you have to rotate the adjuster collar accordingly until it’s snug. I did find the rifle had the tendency to slack off a tad with repeated removal and replacement of the barrel. Though a take-down 22 semi is probably a clever idea I’d just as soon as have a fixed version for simplicity and certainty, plus it would mean a scope over receiver option too!

MUZZLE DOWN

To load; the muzzle needs to be pointed down at an angle of at least 45° so that gravity assists the rounds dropping down into the tube magazine. Rotate the lug at the rear of the follower tube in the butt plate and pull it out until it stops. This opens up the tube for insertion, now drop the ammo, nose-first through the aperture in the right side of the butt. Once full (don’t forget to maintain the angle) push the follower back in and lock it, occasionally I found the tube stuck, which might have been down to a rim hanging up inside, but pulling it out and returning it sorted that.

As can be visualised the column of cartridges goes up and over the bolt and feeds from the roof of the receiver. It is a very practical and natural design with no worries about rounds being pushed rearwards to be picked up by the bolt or box mag issues.

For the test I used three types of Winchester 22 Long Rifle, I don’t use or have any 22 Short but it would have been nice to see if it worked the action, which I think it would. There were X-Pert (match), good old Sub-Sonics and the high velocity Lasers. Reliability was 100% with these three different loadings! It was quite odd to not see fired case pinging off to the right but instead bouncing off the shooting bench. Accuracy; well out to 50-yards the front blade is slim enough to drop a round in a rabbit’s chest but you’d be luckier than certain on a head shot. Though easily capable at 100 yards the irons are just not up to it for a certain humane kill every time. But like I said a rifle made in a time where irons were the only equipment and ranges were close.

The compact weight and size of the SA22 endear it to me no end as it’s sweet and handy, and its integral tube magazine feeds reliably and in truth is good enough for a rabbit gun, plus it’s hard to lose! However there’s no automatic last round or manual hold open facility, nor sling swivels and you need a dedicated scope mount. Doubtless symptoms of the age it was designed in! However, the price is excellent given the build quaoity and materials used!

PRICE: £538
CONTACT: BWM Arms Ltd, 01 www.browning.eu