We all know of the firearm mastermind, John Moses Browning, and his many contributions to the firearms world throughout his prolific career. When he set his mind on a design, a working prototype usually followed in rapid succession with little fuss. This is true even for the Browning SA 22, or Semi-Automatic 22 rifle. Somewhere between designing the Remington Model 17 pump-action shotgun and the Browning .50-caliber machine gun, Browning was able to create the Browning SA 22 rifle.
This neat little rifle started production in 1914 and is still in production today, albeit being produced by different manufacturing companies. When I came across a Browning SA 22 Takedown rifle in a family safe, I was intrigued after hearing stories from my father using a similar rifle during his time in the service in Alaska (No, he wasn’t issued the rifle in service, it was one he used when he was out trapping). So, I dug into research mode, looking into serial numbers, and cross-referencing production dates to help build the story of the rifle I laid my hands on. And if you haven’t come across any of my other stories (like the P38 or Winchester Model 97), I get wild hairs from time to time to research historical firearms in my family’s collection. This time, it’s the Browning SA 22 Takedown rifle.
Steeped in History
As stated above, the Browning SA 22 Takedown rifle was developed and ultimately sold for production in 1914 to Fabrique National in Belgium. The Browning SA 22 is seen as a true classic firearm, being the first production semi-automatic rifle chambered in .22 LR. Originally only available in Europe, Remington brought a similar rifle to the American market as the Model 24 about a decade later, with Browning finally starting to import the SA 22 in 1956.
The original Browning SA 22 was seen as a high-end rifle, even with its simple design. It featured a forged receiver, machined bolt, and straight-grain European walnut stock with hand checkering. The ejection port was on the underside of the receiver, which helped keep spent rounds away from the shooter’s face. This was especially handy for trick shooters or carnival games to keep the spent shells away from the crowd’s faces. Some precautions had to be taken to keep spent casings from going down a sleeve and usually proper hand placement on the rifle would fix that. Another added bonus of having the ejection port on the bottom of the receiver was that the sides were left open for some pretty elaborate engraving for extra opulence.
Additionally, the rifle was lightweight, only weighing around 5 pounds, meaning smaller people and youth shooters would have an easier time holding and using the rifle. The rifle was featured in multiple advertisements showing a wide array of users ages, from children to older folks. The rifle doesn’t have an external magazine, but rather a tubular magazine inside the stock.
The Browning SA 22 rifle was a Takedown model, meaning the barrel assembly could be completely removed from the receiver. To achieve this, the rifle gets flipped upside down and while holding the bolt slightly open, pull back the locking button and rotate the barrel assembly 90 degrees to separate it from the receiver.
The Takedown design is simple and doesn’t carry the problem of errant springs or other pieces needing to be removed to achieve the takedown. It also allows the user to breech clean the rifle allowing the user to employ a pull-through cleaner for a more thorough cleaning of the barrel and receiver. Moreover, the takedown design helps with creating a smaller package to store or transport. The Takedown takes the 37-inch rifle down to around each piece being less than 20 inches.
Tracing the SA 22
FN produced the Browning SA 22 from 1914 through 1974 when production moved to Miroku, a Japanese manufacturer. Before the import in 1956, there were no records of serial numbers of the SA 22. Browning has a lovely page on its website that breaks down the serial number of the SA 22 to date, where it was produced and which caliber is it. Based on the serial number of the SA 22 I was looking at, I was able to sort out the rifle was produced in 1961 and is a Long Rifle caliber, if I didn’t already know the caliber. Before the move to Japan, the SA 22 was available in both a Long and Short Rifle caliber.
My father told stories of using a Browning SA 22 while he was stationed in Alaska in the early 1960s while in the Air Force. He would spend his off time trapping and exploring the area around his King Salmon station. He loved the rifle and the ease of use, often remarking how accurate and reliable it was when he needed it. I’m not exactly sure what happened to the original SA 22 he used in Alaska, but when he came across the opportunity to pick up a Browning from a friend who wanted to get rid of it, he jumped at the chance. Seeing the rifle as it is today, it was incredibly well cared for with very minimal wear and tear, which is remarkable given the age of the rifle.
Legacy
The Browning SA 22 rifle is a special one to come across, with some available for sale around the internet. Sure, you can find them for sale, and you would think there would be lots of them in circulation given the fact the rifle has been around for over 100 years. But in reality, most estimate the total number of Browning SA 22 rifles ever made is just over half a million, which isn’t a whole lot when compared to other weapons. Even on the secondary market, the rifle still holds a decent price point, slightly below or similar to the current retail price of around $800.
While the original SA 22 is still in production, other variants have been made, which include some knockoffs. Newer versions, like the Challenger, offer the same function as the original and some updates but without the takedown feature. You can get a current Browning SA 22 in a similar configuration as the original, or an upgraded model with 24-karat gold accents on the receiver with a more intricate engraved design. Any way you look at it, new or old, the Browning SA 22 is a piece of firearms history that’s proven to perform.
