Browning · Rifle
Browning BL-22
Lever action · .22 Long Rifle · introduced 1969
Also known as BL-22, BL22
About the Browning BL-22
The Browning BL-22 is a lightweight lever-action rimfire rifle introduced in 1969 and still in production, chambered for interchangeable .22 Short, .22 Long, and .22 Long Rifle. Its signature is an exceptionally short 33-degree lever throw that allows rapid cycling while the firing hand stays on the straight-grip walnut stock. Built by Miroku of Japan to Browning's specifications, it pairs a machined steel receiver and blued 20-inch barrel with a 15-round (.22 LR) tubular magazine. Long regarded as one of the best-built lever-action .22s available, it remains a benchmark plinking and small-game rifle.
The BL-22's defining feature is its 33-degree lever throw, among the shortest of any lever-action, letting a shooter cycle the action with two fingers without removing the hand from the grip. The design needs no half-cock notch, and its feed geometry is engineered so cycling does not deform the soft lead rimfire bullets.
Browning BL-22 specifications
General
- Type
- Rifle
- Action
- Lever action
- Firing mechanism
- Hammer-fired
- Trigger
- Single action
- Calibres
- .22 Long Rifle
- Magazine capacity
- 15 rounds
- Magazine
- Tubular magazine
Dimensions
- Barrel length
- 508 mm (20.0 in)
- Overall length
- 933 mm (36.7 in)
- Weight (empty)
- 2.27 kg (5.00 lb)
Barrel
- Rifling twist
- 1:16 in (406 mm)
- Rifling
- Right hand
Materials
- Barrel
- Steel
- Receiver / frame
- Steel
- Stock
- Wood
- Finish
- blued
Performance
- Muzzle velocity (typical)
- 383 m/s (1257 fps)
- Muzzle energy (typical)
- 190 J (140 ft·lb)
- Effective range
- 137 m
History
- Introduced
- 1969
- Production status
- In production
- Country of origin
- US
- Designer
- Browning Arms Company
Features
- Short 33 degree lever throw
- No half cock needed
- Does not damage ammunition when cycling
- Tubular magazine accepts mixed short long lr
- Grooved receiver for optics
- Machined steel receiver
- Straight grip stock
Safety
- Exposed hammer
- Trigger disconnect
Although Browning is an American brand with Belgian/FN heritage, the BL-22 has always been manufactured in Japan by Miroku. Tube capacity is 15 rounds of .22 LR, 17 of .22 Long, and 22 of .22 Short. Browning retained a machined steel receiver rather than an alloy one.
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