Other fun with a BL22

[HemiRambler]

Hi all, Newbie here!
I've enjoyed reading your forum & hopefully I'll be able to contribute a little.
I've been infatuated with "levers" since I was a little kid gazing at my dad's Win 94 in 32 Special he got used as a teenager.

I later lusted after my Grandad's Win M88 in .243 that he bought brand new in I think '67 to which I have the original paperwork including receipt, manual and warranty card - unfortunately while in my possession my &^^%$$ brother stole it and I assumed pawned it - although I searched every pawn shop in town I ended up empty handed. So THAT's the "one that got away" - I'm still ticked off about it - 20 years later... anyways back to modern times!

I recently picked up a used Browning BL22 that me and my son could enjoy. It's in pretty decent shape except the fore end band was cracked. So I thought that it would make a fun project to make one from brass. So far it's about 1/2 done - still need to size the OD, shape it a little and give it a good polish job. If I can figure out how to post pics I'll post one when it's done.


So that's my story - I am kinda hooked on levers and even managed to buy my Dad's old 94 from him - even though I never picked it up! How's that!!! OK I never claimed to be the sharpest knife in the drawer!!!


HemiRambler

[Mescalero]

WELCOME, you will find some fine people here.

[claybob86]

Welcome aboard, HemiRambler! Looking forward to pix of your BL-22. Check the "One Sticky" for info about posting pictures.

In addition, your handle suggests the existence of an automobile that some of us might like to know something about!

[3leggedturtle]

Hey Welcome aboard. Browning 22's are fun. I coulda bought one for $50 in 1988, but the kid was such a yayhoo that i wouldnt have given him a plugged nickel for it!! Wish i had it now. Whats the next lever on your agenda? Personnally i just buy whatever i think is a good deal and shoot the snot out of'em Todd

[pwl44m]

Welcome Hemi,a Hemi in any Rambler would have to Scoot.
Enjoy Your BL22 and I sure hope You get the picture thing figured out, I would like to see that Brass Band when You get it finished. I'm trying to remember- are the originals Plastic ? Have to look at Mine.
Pull up a stump, grab some Joe- the fire is always Burning.
Perry

[AJMD429]

W E L C O M E . . . !

[Pete44ru]

Welcome to our fire, HemiRambler

That brass barrel band project sounds like a winner - I sure hope you're taking pics as you go along, then upload them to one of the free webhosting sites, like photobucket or imageshack (there's LOTS of host sites), so you can copy/paste the pic's url here.

We LUV tutorials & show-'n-tell's !

.

[pokey]

welcome home hr .

[Nath]

Hi get under the skin don't they

Nath.

[HemiRambler]

Thanks for the warm welcome everybody!!!

Let's see if I can figure this picture thing out... (well that worked so I'll put them all in)

Step 1 - bored 2 holes and then connected them together with a straight cut. Test fit on the gun and was OK so off to the belt sander


Step 2 - Roughed the OD on the belt sander


Step 3 -Scribed the OD and got it close on the belt sander


Step 4- Started to add some radius on the OD - hand file


Step 5 - Added the reverse dimple on the top - used a small hand held drum sander


Step 6 - A little closer...now using 180 grit sand paper and some fine to finish

Step 7- Just a few moments on the polishing wheel


Step 8-Installed on the gun - skipped the drilling of the pin hole - left that for last so they wouldn't interfere with the sanding and polishing


Step 9-Close up - actually it looks better in person - I'm not that great of a picture taker


So there is my weekend project - it came out pretty good - way too much time in it since you can get these for 20 bucks, but I'm glad I did it methinks it adds a little to the rifle.

[HemiRambler]

3leggedturtle - next lever to hunt for would be that Win 88 in 243. Doubt I'll ever find it, but I can dream.

pwl44m - The original band on mine was aluminum. I made mine out of some scrap brass - not sure of the exact alloy, but I bent it a little in the vise and it didn't crack so I figured it was ok to use. I also made it just a wee bit thicker than the original - figured it couldn't hurt.

Yes these are VERY addicting - I can see this group will be a VERY bad influence on me!!!


EDIT -- > Forgot to mention - yes I am a "car guy" too as my handle suggests. I still have my first car - a '64 Rambler American - that I've owned since I was 15. It now has a 392 Hemi, pushbutton trans & 9in Ford rear. The best feature IMHO is the all steel tilt front end with still functional factory hood. May sound goofy to have both work, but after doing it this way I wouldn't spend time fabbing up any other version - alas I may be a a tad biased ;-0
But in all honesty with the kids in the picture now I am usually cruisin' around in my '64 Rambler American Convertible (nearly bone stock). It's become our "family ride". Hey Ramblers are cheap - it's real easy to have 2 <big grin>
I also have a FED which I built from scratch. 180" wb & handformed aluminum 1/2 body with chute pack. It's not fast by modern standards, but it's VERY low maintenance and EXTREMEMLY fun - with a near stock 392 Hemi, 'glide and 9" I've gone a best of 9.38 @ 143mph. I am not at all competitive with it (can't afford to be) but usually get it out a handful of times a year. Just like shootin' - I don't do enough, but enjoy the snot out of it when I do!! <very big grin>

[claybob86]

Beautiful job, HR! Thanks for the pictures!

[1894c]

Beautiful job, HR! 8) Thanks for the pictures!

+1 ... I have to agree, nice work...I traded my Ruger 10/22 for a new Browning BL22
It has turned out to be the best decision in a .22 I have ever made. I have more fun
with that levergun than any other.

You made a great choice...by the way WELCOME... :)

[Nath]

Brilliant work, I know where to send my broken parts now

N

[iceman]

Nice job!! Welcome from the great white north. If you got a chunk of that brass left over, I could see myself making a forearm band for my 356 to go with my brass Skinner front sight.

[HemiRambler]

Iceman, the chunk I used wasn't big enough for two, but I will be keeping an eye out for any more pieces! Now you got me thinking maybe a brass front sight would be cool too....I hope this doesn't get outta hand!! You definitely need to make one - it was a fun little project!

[HemiRambler]

Finally got out to test fire the little Browning BL22 today. Both me and my son shot real well with it and he absolutely loved it!!! Definitely a keeper. Will now make a little effort to clean up the stock (nothing crazy since it's gonna be a shooter).

Definitely happy I picked it up and my son is even MORE HAPPY.

Good Times

[3leggedturtle]

Yes these are VERY addicting - I can see this group will be a VERY bad influence on me!!!

Yep you just met up with and are now part of " The best bunch of ENABLERS " on the web

[Mac in Mo]

Welcome aboard. Very nice job on that barrel band.

Kevin

[Borregos]

Welcome, you will enjoy it here
Great job on the brass band