Browning - BL22 Type 1 (what should I do)

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KingPin

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Hello,

so I find myself in possession of an early 90's Browning BL-22 Type 1. The stock is beat up pretty good and its missing some bluing. I'm wondering if its worth it to up-do the stock and maybe redo the bluing.

I can try to post some pictures here of it but just wondering if its worth the effort (it was a gift to me and it came beat up).

Thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

MK
 
I got one for a very good price couple years ago due to the terrible shape it was in. All metal was covered in rust (no pitting though) and the stain was totally stripped off. After shooting I found it still functioned flawlessly and was decently accurate..I removed all the rust and spent hours polishing with steel wool before rebluing. I sanded the stocks down and restained and installed a Williams rear peep and Lyman front globe sight. Didn't turn out perfect but looks very good and is fun little rifle to shoot.
 
Stripping the finish, steaming the dents and oiling the wood is a good project if your in to that sort of thing and it will look way better even with the worn blueing..... you could use Oxpho Blue to touch up the bluing easy enough.

All that said, depending on what you want to do with the gun it might be nice to just live with it for a while and enjoy the patina of a well used gun.

Shooting it goes without saying.
 
Thanks. I should have mentioned that it shoots great. The short throw is a dream and it eats ammonquite well. I’m a little worried if the work investment and not sure I could do justice.
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As an aside what would a rifle like this in this condition be worth for re sale or trade ? I’m twittering with either making room in the safe or trading for something. All opinions welcomed some with salt.....

Thanks again everyone.
 
Gee thanks for that. Really appreciate the sobering reminder. I’m just curious what the value might be for resale. I honestly had no clue as it was gifted. Now I’ve hated away from trying the repair and I would rather not get ripped off or try to rip someone off if I sold it or attempted trade.
 
If you want to sell it... I doubt you'd get your time/$ back... Unless you can do it all yourself and you work of $0 /h

If you want to keep it (it was gifted to you, after all). I'd strip the finish and re do it with linseed oil... and enjoy shooting it as is.
 
Makes sense. Do you just go after it with some 80 grit or what? I’m sure there is information out there. Maybe I’ll try fixing it before really giving up. If you have any pointers to reliable stock refinishing methods I’m all ears.

King.
 
I don't like sand paper...

1st - take it apart (as in, separate the wood from the metal)
2nd - I'd simply remove the varnish with something like Circa 1850 Paint & Varnish Remover
3rd - any big gouge could probably be steamed out, assuming the grain hasn't been cut.
4th - refinish with your favourite oil, I like linseed or tung oil
 
I've redone a few stocks and haven't really considered the time vs money aspect of it.
Great to fix something like this up if only for the lesson achieved and the joy to see
a wreck not so much a wreck any more.

I agree on the Circa 1850 and steam out what you can.
I'd douse the metal with Fluid Film and let it sit for a day or so and
lightly rub with 0000 steel wool.

As old Jack would comment, I only lost $15 on that old 22.
Where else can one find a couple days worth of enjoyment for fifteen bucks.

Atta-bouy is my comment to his statement.
 
I would run it as is if you're keeping it or selling it.

Refinishing it to sell is a mistake in my opinion, unless you have some experience and are certain you can do a perfect job. Otherwise a refinish will lower the value in my opinion and you've wasted your time and money.
 
I'm looking at this stock - and in my uneducated eyes its beyond steaming out. The problems appear to be more gouges than dings and dents. Would you still attempt to steam it out before attempting anything more radical?

Also the steps -- would you 1) clean with something (degrease the stock)
2) clean it off with the circa 1850
3) steam out dents and dings
4) other stuff here.....

Someone shared their opinion that the rifle as is would be worth less than $100cdn to someone....I figure at that price point it wouldn't hurt to try and "fix" it anyway...... thoughts?
 
There are those in groups always trying to steal something from someone in a not nice way.
Dare you to put it up in the EE for a hundred and see how many seconds lapse before the
p.m. box lights up.

Spend some time awn'er and see what comes thru.
 
How do you price it? Don't know...
BL22 aren't exactly that rare and sought after, and other than the EE, nice clean example seem to sell for $400.
That one had a pretty rough life, and will be refinished...

I think the varnish make it looks worst than it is. Once cleaned up, it would make a nice rifle for a youngster starting up... If you have no use for it, know any deserving youngster?
 
It is in pretty rough shape but I think you can get more then $100 out of it if you do look to sell. If it has no sentimental value to you and you don't have the desire to restore yourself it would be a great project for father and son or daughter to restore together.
 
double gun said:
I would run it as is if you're keeping it or selling it.

Refinishing it to sell is a mistake in my opinion, unless you have some experience and are certain you can do a perfect job. Otherwise a refinish will lower the value in my opinion and you've wasted your time and money.
Click to expand...


As double gun suggests is what I was thinking...kinda like a ''run what you brung'' to the drag race kinda gun.
If it shoots well then consider the patina as part of its character.
Dumping money hand over fist to make it look purdy wont bring dividends when you decide to sell it considering thats (selling) is on the table at this time anyways.
Shoot and enjoy or flogg and enjoy the next one.
Rob
 
I would happily pay $100 for a BL22. They are very nice rifles. I also do most of my own stock work so even though its beat up I could give it a better life. Let me know if you decide to sell it. Browning is the only levergun 22 I still want to add to my group.
 
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