Browning BAR 300 win mag, need help identifying.

TheCroatian

TheCroatian

Well-Known Member
Charter Life Member
Joined
Aug 6, 2020
Messages
237
Location
Indian Trail
Rating - 100%
12   0   0
I am about to pick up a Browning BAR 300 win mag in a trade tomorrow. Trading my zpap m92 tactical. I have been wanting a 300 win mag for a while and love browning. I do not know much about the BAR other than its semi auto mag fed. This particular model says made in belgium, date of manufacture 1981. He claims this is a 171 series, pre mark 2?? I cant seem to find any info. I thought mark 2s were post 1976. Any help and input would be greatly appreciated. I am trying to make sure I am not getting myself into a rabbit hole, trying to find mags, parts, picky ammo, etc. Main purpose is for hunting obviously. Are parts and mags interchangeable with today's models?

Please tell me I have nothing to worry about haha!

320394679_556943722724420_51927052792143800_n.jpg

320583191_551535173507972_6135351714375500234_n.jpg
 
Last edited:
I have a 30/06 and a 243 of that vintage and have had no problems with them. Both are quite accurate. I have two magazines for each but generally just carry loose rounds that I can easily load into the magazine by dropping the floor plate. That vintage does not have the lever on the side to push down the follower to allow the bolt to go forward after it holds back after the he last shot. Dropping the floor plate is a bit more awkward with your vintage but is a piece cake once you get used to it. It is easy to pull back a bit on the bolt while tripping the floor plate release with the same hand.
I would not think that the most recent version would have interchangable parts with the earliest ones. I have not checked to see whether spare parts are readily available.
 
Charlie said:
I have a 30/06 and a 243 of that vintage and have had no problems with them. Both are quite accurate. I have two magazines for each but generally just carry loose rounds that I can easily load into the magazine by dropping the floor plate. That vintage does not have the lever on the side to push down the follower to allow the bolt to go forward after it holds back after the he last shot. Dropping the floor plate is a bit more awkward with your vintage but is a piece cake once you get used to it. It is easy to pull back a bit on the bolt while tripping the floor plate release with the same hand.
I would not think that the most recent version would have interchangable parts with the earliest ones. I have not checked to see whether spare parts are readily available.
Click to expand...
my main thing is I want a very reliable hunting gun that will outlast me. I am guessing this is more than suitable haha! I am not a fan of vintage / first gen guns but I know I am over thinking this.
 
45/70fan said:
If you change your mind you can get your money back as they are sought after.
Click to expand...
well that definitely makes it better haha! I am trading my ONLY ak47, which are a dime a dozen, for this. I have $1300 tied up in the AK, but there is just a significant cool factor in this BAR and 300wm. I think I will enjoy it. Thank you for your help!
 
Only issue I ever encountered with a BAR brought into my gunshop was a stuck gas piston. Removed, cleaned, and to my knowledge is still working today- 30 years later.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom