#Browning

Browning has announced the release of the suppressor ready versions of their unique “85%” sized 1911 .22LR handguns. The handguns are available in two sizes, “full” and “compact”; which I put in quotes as they not not quite the same size as their parent platform. The full size comes equipped with a 4.25″ barrel and the compact in at a 3.625″. Both barrels are threaded 1/2×28″, common to the .22 caliber.

Simply curious in what the handgun could be, I requested the editors contact Browning for one of their smaller Black Label .380 1911’s. My initial request was met with skepticism as its known I am not a “1911 guy” (but now have training courtesy of Mr. Larry Vickers) and trepidation as we’ve handled the original model (not a Black Label) and to put it gently, was considered crud. My curiosity is insatiable so I am happy the editors relented and requested the handgun, which turned out a contrary result to originally held opinions.

Browning recently added the Hell’s Canyon Speed to its line of X-Bolt rifles. The new guns offer a variety of features and cosmetic differences that set it apart in the X-Bolt line.

The march toward public acceptance of sound suppressors continues in 2016 with more guns and ammunition being tailored to silencer use. Browning is a company that many shooters would consider a “traditional” gun company that is more oriented toward hunting and the outdoors than Gun Culture 2.0. So, when Browning introduces threaded barrel firearms that the company specifically positions as “suppressor ready,” I feel confident that progress toward decriminalizing hearing protection is building momentum.

The Browning Hi Power is considered by many to the be epitome of the 9mm semi-automatic pistol. It was designed by none other than John Moses Browning in 1914, a few years after he designed the 1911. The name “Hi-Power” refers to its 13 round double-stacked magazines. Other pistols at that time were about half the capacity so these magazines were considered to be high capacity.

Some of John Browning’s contributions to the effort of the First World War – like the M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle and the M1917 Browning Machine Gun – are well-known, but there’s one that never made it to production, or even any substantial degree of recognition: A Browning infantry rifle design, utilizing a totally unique hesitation locked mechanism.

I’ve been following the little Black Label .380 1911 for some time now, enthralled at the idea of a lighter daily carry 1911. While some may bemoan the caliber, I am perfectly confident in its ability to do what is needed, especially from a 4.250″ barrel which puts muzzle velocities at nearly 9mm levels.

Browning has added a new model to their X-Bolt Stalker series – the Varmint Stalker.  It will be available in 204 Ruger, 223 Rem., 243 Win., and 308 Win. calibers with a 24″ barrel length. The Varmit Stalker in 22-250 Rem. will feature a 26″ barrel length.  Other standard features (found on all X-Bolt rifles) include a detachable rotary magazine, adjustable “Feather Trigger”, 60° bolt lift, bolt unlock button and “Inflex Technology” recoil pad.

The Mauser 1914 is not a well-known firearm today, but during the First World War, it became one of the most important small semiautomatic handguns of the early 20th Century.

While today ceramic, composite, and multi-layer armor has made most of the small to medium-arms obsolete for engaging tanks, in the early 1930s the beloved Browning M2 was being set up as a tank-killing rifle. Equipped with a Prismatic sight, the shoulder-fired (albeit ground supported) fifty-cal was the ideal long-range tank-busting weapon.

A month ago we published about Browning’s new offerings in their Citori 725 line. They have added a new lightweight Feather 20 gauge model the line-up. It weighs only 6 lbs. 6 oz. for the 26″ barrel and will be 6 lbs. 6 oz. for the 28″ barrel lengths.

Ian of Forgotten Weapons takes a look at J.M. Browning’s Harmonica Rifle at Rock Island Auctions. Now the John Browning that we think of is not the maker of this rifle, but rather it was John Moses Browning’s father. A lesson Ian explains in some detail in this video.

Remember our past post about the P-51 Mustang test firing it’s six 50 caliber M2 Browning machine guns? I stumbled upon a few pretty cool videos showing some Curtiss P-40 Warhawks test firing their .50 caliber machine guns as well, this time with blanks. The P-40 first flew in 1938 and was used until the end of WWII. While it didn’t perform as well as the more popular P-51 Mustangs it was the third most produced American fighter right after the P-51 and the P-47 Thunderbolt. I’ve always liked the look of the P-40, especially with the Flying Tigers shark face paint scheme.

There is the “tactical” side to beautifying a firearm (depending on what you appreciate).  And then there is this kind of detailing…  Browning has two new Citori 725 Sporting 12 gauge over and under shotguns.

Handheld fully automatic weapons require skill and strength to use effectively. Although a skilled and strong shooter can control even legendarily “uncontrollable” weapons like the AR-10 safely, many less-experienced smaller shooters, such as kids, have trouble safely controlling even “controllable” weapons like submachine guns. Unfortunately, this combination can sometimes have disastrous results.