Birmingham small arms (BSA) rifles: what can you tell me about them

A

Aabradsh

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Hey guys

I’m considering buying an old Birmingham Small Arms bolt action in .234. But I don’t know much about these rifles. It seems well built and shoulders well. The bolt is smooth enough and cycles reliably.

What can you tell me about these? Are they known for any particular issues? Are they known to be accurate guns?

Thanks!
 
BSA made a lot of different makes and models of firearms.

The way you put your question is like saying you’re looking at a Chevrolet for your next ride…… (there’s how many different Chevy’s out there?)

You’ll need to drill down on specifics in order to get any sort of a worthy answer.
 
243?
I'm no expert in cartridges but haven't heard of 234
The model might be on the side of the receiver.
If it's controlled feed then it may be a royal featherweight.
Does it have a muzzle brake?
Iron sites?
As others have said, need more info or a picture would help
 
Aabradsh said:
Hey guys

I’m considering buying an old Birmingham Small Arms bolt action in .234. But I don’t know much about these rifles. It seems well built and shoulders well. The bolt is smooth enough and cycles reliably.

What can you tell me about these? Are they known for any particular issues? Are they known to be accurate guns?

Thanks!
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What’s your email please?
Send it by pm thanks
 
Aabradsh said:
Hey guys

I’m considering buying an old Birmingham Small Arms bolt action in .234. But I don’t know much about these rifles. It seems well built and shoulders well. The bolt is smooth enough and cycles reliably.

What can you tell me about these? Are they known for any particular issues? Are they known to be accurate guns?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
I have had several BSA made rifles here - some similar, but some very different - at least one "sporter" done on WWI P14 (303 British), then another "sporter" done on Model of 1917 (30-06). Current one is 7x57 - as if that one has BSA "improvements" to Mauser design - many similarities. I may have thought it was "Hunter" model when I saw the ad for it - it is probably a "Monarch" model - model is not stamped on the gun, but was marketed as such - so have to look at old ads to find out what it is - also has Birmingham proof stamps, so puts a date on that thing (FB - 1955).

"particular issues" - I do not recall anything about the P14, or the Model of 1917 based rifles, except the ejectors want to break their little "spring" tail - but that is an Enfield rifle design thing, not a BSA thing. However, this 7x57 - the safety is a pivot type on the right side of the bolt shroud - it holds the firing pin back in the bolt - does not "freeze" the trigger. It is held in place inside by a coil spring - maybe after 70 years that coil spring is weakened - but over my head to "make" a new spring for it - so on to Plan B. The safety engages to "On Safe" position really well, but flips to "Fire" on any jiggle of the bolt handle - that is a concerning issue for me that I want to fix - I have slipped and fallen enough times in snow in bush that I do not want a rifle safety that "easily" flips to fire - is enough going on as I fall - do not need to add something else to the commotion!!! But, so far, that is the only "issue" that I have discovered with it - but I have not fired it yet - still working on that Plan B to hold that safety in place.
 
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BSA are excellent rifles and undervalued imo on the used gun market. The 1950' s rifles Viscount, Hunter etc have actions machined from bar stock. Over 70 separate machining operations in each action. Sold for about 30% more than a pre 64 model 70 Winchester. Cost was the main factor in their demise. Wouldn't hesitate to buy one especially since they are usually reasonably priced.
 
Never had one (any model) that I was unhappy about. Some were quite heavy but all worked well and shot well. I too think they are under priced.
 
Not sure what model this started out life as, but since 1961 it's been a 7mm Weatherby.

I'd be curious to know if anyone else has a rifle built by Ian Dingwall. I believe that he worked in the gun department at Eatons in Vancouver in the old days.
 

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jamesharrison said:
B.U.M.: $400.00 was SERIOUS coin back in '61. I wonder how that compares with what a Weatherby would've cost back then.
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I just ran the numbers and it came out to $4147.50 of today's dollars! The average weekly wages were $80.34 and the average salary was $116.41!

Also found an interesting old thread of what some things were worth in 1961. No Weatherbys but the Pre 64 M70 and M94 are there. Thanks to MiG25. I have highlighted the conversions in bold:

MiG25 said:
I have a 1961 catalog.

Among others.

22 Hornet, Dominion $2.90/20 ($30.64), Remington $8.45/50 ($89.29)
243, Dominion $4.65 ($49.14), Remington $5.40 ($57.06)
6.5 Mannlicher, Dominion $5 ($52.83)
30-30, Dominion $4.10 ($43.32), Remington $4.70 ($49.66)
30-06, Dominion $5.10 ($53.89), Remington $6 ($63.40)
300 H&H, Dominion $6.45 ($68.16), Remington $7.55 ($79.78)
375 H&H, Remington $8.20 ($86.65)
458 Win, Remington $10 ($105.67)

The Winchester Model 70 Featherweight is $154.15 ($1628.88), the African $343.65 ($3631.31), the 94 $93.05 ($983.25), the 88 $159.40 ($1684.36), the 100 $171.85, ($1815.92) the 12 $121 ($1278.59).

Savage 99F $134.85 ($1424.94), 99DL $142.90 ($1510.01), 99E $107.80 ($1139.11)

Remington 742A $153.50 ($1622.02), 742F $102.75 ($1085.75), 760A $132.25($1397.47), 760F $110.95 ($1700.74), 725ADl $154.25 ($1629.94), 725F $120.75 ($1275.95), 721 $112.25 ($11856.13), Nylon 66 $59.75 ($631.37)

And so on.
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Mark V in 7mm Weatherby - a local fellow got a used rifle for his son - said he had got a good deal to buy the rifle, but could not find ammo for it - none to purchase in Manitoba, or Saskatchewan that we could find. A seller had some in Red Deer, Alta, but wanted too much information - "I wanted some shells, not to get married" is what the local fellow said. So it was eye-watering cost to get a couple boxes couriered in to Russell, Manitoba from Vancouver store (Reliable Gun) - like $334 paid to get 2 boxes - 40 rounds - $8.35 per factory Weatherby round - in 2020! From somewhere (Canada Brass) , I got 4 boxes Weatherby brand brass to reload - 80 cases that are Weatherby head stamped for 7mm Weatherby Magnum - that was $235 in October, 2020 - circa $3 per Weatherby empty brass then - and one, from the first box, would not fit in that rifle's chamber - the other 19 did, though.

The last "big" 7 mm that I got is a 7mm - 300 Wby Mag - was/is a "wildcat" - not really standard, but it came with RCBS die set (RCBS Part # 43161) - it came with some re-formed brass and I had some brass for the 300 Weatherby chambered rifle here (not a Mark V). I do not see such ammo for sale in local stores - so I suspect that a hand load is the only way to feed it.
 
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BigUglyMan said:
Not sure what model this started out life as, but since 1961 it's been a 7mm Weatherby.

I'd be curious to know if anyone else has a rifle built by Ian Dingwall. I believe that he worked in the gun department at Eatons in Vancouver in the old days.
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Jeesh Bigglyunn, that address on the receipt was a stone taws away frum where I grew up as a kid.
Vewy vewwy interesting.
 
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