Is browning quality

J

Jetman

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Are browning rifles well built to last or just a popular name brand ? Specifically the x-bolt, some come at fairly premium prices. Are you paying for the logo or quality ?

I am asking as I have never owned a browning and considering spending a lil extra to get something nice that I plan to keep for a long time that will get used every hunting season.

Would love to hear from anyone who has had one for multiple years .. or anyone who’s had one and it didn’t cut it.

Pros / cons
 
For what it's worth Browning is the largest (by volume) gun line we sell and rarely see anything come back for warranty. They are not the best rifle for everyone in every model but rarely are they not suitable for the expected use. Phil.
 
Didn't hesitate to get an A-bolt in 12 gauge once they started making them again. Lovely furniture, great trigger and she seems to shoot most brands of slugs very well. 5 deer so far, one shot to the blood pump .
 
Browning are good performing rifles under real field conditions. While it does not have a mauser action it has a 60* degree bolt cycle which opens up options for mounting scopes. I've used them out to 400 yards and killed deer. So I'm happy with them. I don't think the've produced a 35 Whelen - but if they did I take a serious look at one. There is a wide selection of models and it's worth taking a look at their internet page. I doubt that you'd be disappointed.
 
I personally like the browning rifles. Still have a medallion x-bolt, a t-bolt and an AB3. Even the AB3 is a pretty well made gun for a budget rifle. I have sold an A-bolt 11 and an x-bolt but just because I was tired of the calibers.
 
Browning makes decent products, but when it comes to rifles produced by other arms of the parent company (FN Herstal) I'd take a Winchester Model 70 over any of the browning bolt gun offerings today.
 
For a commercial producer they are quality for the money. There might be some quality issues from their lower end models but that is the way economics work. Their higher end products such as the BARs, BLRs, Citori's, etc. command a bit more money but are certainly at the top of their division. Even when buying used, I have never lost money on a Citori which demonstrates the quality.
 
I like them,especially the A Bolts and the X Bolt, well built with decent adjustable triggers and bedded right from the factory. Some have the Boss system which allows you to dial them in for specific loads, and you can dial them in to nickle size groups at a 100 yards.
 
I'm gonna be the odd man out here. I've had a few browning's over the years. An a-bolt, an x-bolt and a BPS. All moved on to new homes. I've played with a few friends browning's as well. I just can't warm up to them. Maybe it's the ergo's. Maybe it was the features of those particular firearms. I'm not exactly sure. But I've just never come across any of their products and thought "This is a keeper!" All that being said, I'd still like to try out the A-Bolt in 12 gauge mentioned by Dukester above. That one sounds interesting.
 
Pro's:
Trigger with timney trigger spring
60 degree bolt throw
For me that they have a magazine. Others think different but I will never have a rifle without one so that pushes winchester out for me
Seem to be fairly balanced
Cons:
On wood models the finish marks up easily
On a bolts that flip up mag set up sucks. X bolt took care of that
Pot metal triggers: They break easier than one thinks & it's an expensive fix
Changing barrels on some models
In the end for me it came to fit so I stuck with what fit me best. 300wsm in Mountain TI
 
I admittedly, don't have a whole lot to compare to, especially in field conditions. But I have an x-bolt 7MM rem mag and it's been solid over the past decade. I would say the price point is about spot on. A bit of a premium price. The lower end rifles I've shot don't feel nearly as nice as my x-bolt.
 
Garaldtao said:
For a commercial producer they are quality for the money. There might be some quality issues from their lower end models but that is the way economics work. Their higher end products such as the BARs, BLRs, Citori's, etc. command a bit more money but are certainly at the top of their division. Even when buying used, I have never lost money on a Citori which demonstrates the quality.
Click to expand...
Well said there is a price point for every product..
 
I've owned a few Brownings over the years. All functioned fine. Most just don't fit me and feel clunky. As for the manufacturer Browning ownership and manufacture have bounced around quite a bit, so much like Colt, Webly and Scott and others, the name means less than the specific product. Currently owned by the regional government of Waloon in Belgium I believe. Government ownership of anything concerns me.

Rob!
 
I have an old A-bolt in 270 win. Shoots and functions great. Balanced to carry, and I had a smith bed it and work the trigger and it's brilliant. I wish the aftermarket supported Browning.
 
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