Browning Automatic Carbine (Auto-22)

     Notes: This weapon was first designed by John Browning in 1908, but production did not begin until 1913.  It was built in several production batches: 1913-14, 1920-40, 1947-76, and (by the Miroku Firearms Company in Japan, though sold exclusively through FN/Browning) from 1976 until this day.  It is a simple autoloading small-caliber rifle with a tubular magazine in the butt instead of under the barrel.  It is not simply a scaled-down version of a larger rifle; it was designed specifically for the cartridges it fires. The magazine in the butt has an unusual feature: there is a port cut in the butt allowing the magazine to be half-filled without removing the entire magazine.  Ejection is from the bottom of the receiver. The tubular magazine is not under the forearm; the forearm is simply a solid piece of shaped wood and the magazine is in the stock. The barrel length is 19.375 inches. The original model came in versions firing .22 Long Rifle (the most common by far) or .22 Short (a rare variant).  Other variants include the very basic Model A, with a small magazine and overall smaller size; the Model B, an improved model A with a checkered pistol grip butt and better-quality woods; the BAC Deluxe, with a grayed steel receiver (Grade III), or a even more elaborate artwork (Grade IV), or gold-inlaid artwork (Grade V), attractive artwork on the receiver, and a version able to fire .22 Magnum rounds. Grade II, III, and IV Auto-22s are sometimes engraved and, much more rarely, have the artists’ signatures engraved on the right side of the receiver.  IRL, these are worth a lot of money, but this has no practical effect in game terms. Normal finishing is blued, and sometimes with simple engraving.  The walnut is Grade I, checkered on the wrist and forearm.  Grade II rifles has a gold-plated trigger and more elaborate engraving, with the metalwork having a bright finish (called “Coin” by Browning) or Parkerized gray.  Grade III rifles had engraving of an elaborate game scene, with the right side having a hunting dog chasing three ducks and the left a dog holding a rabbit or duck.  Other scenes are available though special order.  The stock of a grade III has elaborate skipline checkering instead of the normal cut. The Grade IV, the only version remaining in production, has blue or grayed engraved receivers, and barrels (non-engraved). The engraving is in gold, and the trigger is gold-plated.

     The Auto-22 has also proven itself amenable to the addition of a suppressor, though so far no one has done this with any other than a standard Auto-22 (BAC).  It is the same as the standard BAC with the exception of the addition of a suppressor; however, a suppressed Auto-22 has different stats and firing characteristics,

Browning BAR

     Notes: This is basically the updated, semiautomatic counterpart to the BBR.  These weapons are very popular in North America, South America, and Europe.  It is a very elegant design, simple to use and maintain, and can often be found with engraved artwork (often gold-inlaid).  Barrels as were 22 inches long for the standard guns, but a 22-inch barrel was later made available.  The First BARs were introduced in 1967, initially called the Browning High-Power Auto Rifle.  The .280 version was not introduced until 1988.  All BARs have some type of iron sights and are also drilled and tapped.

     Variants of the basic design include the Battue, introduced in the mid-1980s; this version has a folding leaf sight at the quarter-rib.  It is otherwise identical to standard BAR for game purposes.  The BAR Big Game Special Edition was a version in .30-06, using a 22-inch barrel that is heavy and target-crowned.  The trigger is gold-plated, and the silver-gray receiver has engraved scenes of a mule deer on the left and white-tail deer on the left.  Each scene also has a trophy head of the animal inlaid with gold.  Only 600 of this model were built between 1987-88.  The BAR Deluxe is just as it sounds, a deluxe version of the BAR; the primary difference is the engraving on the receiver and the quality wood used in its stock, and it is otherwise identical to the standard BAR for game purposes.  The BAR Magnum is, as the name indicates, a magnum-firing version of the BAR, with a 24-inch barrel.  The .300 Winchester Magnum was introduced in 1969; the .338 version disappeared in 1977, but was re-introduced in 1988.  The Safari is basically a Magnum with a heavy barrel and stalking-type iron sights. The Lightweight has a light alloy receiver and a short 20.05-inch barrel; it was introduced in 1996.  Shortly thereafter (2000) came the Lightweight Magnum, basically the same as the Lightweight but magnum-firing.  The Light Battue Prima was introduced in 2001, basically a Battue built to Lightweight standards and firing a different mix of calibers.  In 2002, a number of special versions of the BAR appeared, such as the BAR Evolve, with the light alloy receiver but a full 22-inch barrel.  The BAR Light Stalker has a light alloy receiver, stalking-type sights, a dark gray plastic stock, 22-inch barrel, and a limited selection of chamberings.

     In 1985, the BAR name was dropped (except in the US), and the rifle renamed the Affut. 

     In the early 2010s, FN reintroduced a new BAR in Safari Grade, calling it the BAR Mark 2 Safari. The Mark 2 has a 24-inch barrel and the original classic appearance that BAR lovers crave for.  It optionally comes with the BOSS muzzle brake, and has a soft polymer recoil pad on the butt.  The Mark 3, introduced in 2016, is essentially the same rifle with an aluminum receiver and some other aluminum parts.  The Mark 3 has more flexibility with finishes, including black and Mossy Oak Breakup.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: These weapons can be found in the hands of many a hunter or militia member.  However, only the standard BAR, the Big-Game Special, and the Magnum exist in the Twilight 2000 timeline.

Browning BAR-22

     Notes: Basically a BAR sporting rifle in rimfire, the BAR-22 is a virtual small-caliber copy of the standard BAR, except that the magazine is tubular instead of a removable box and the receiver housing is of light alloy.  The read sight folds down and front sight is gold-colored to help obtain a good sight picture.  The receiver housing is milled to reduce light flare from it.  The BAR-22 was produced from 1977-1985, along with a more luxurious version called the BAR-22 Grade II (from 1981 to 1985). 

Browning Buck Mark Sporter Carbine

     Notes: Introduced in 2001, this is basically a Buck Mark pistol to which a stock, longer barrel, and fore-end have been attached.  The stock is partially skeletonized, to allow use of the (standard) Buck Mark pistol grip; the weapon also uses standard Buck Mark magazines.  The stock is permanently attached and is not easily removed.  The front sight has a florescent plastic bead to aid in aiming.  There are several versions other than the standard version: the Classic Carbon, which has a carbon fiber barrel and a gray stock (still wooden/skeletonized); the Classic Target, with a bull barrel; and the Target, with a heavy barrel.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: This weapon does not exist.

Browning High-Power Semiautomatic Rifle

     Notes: This was a pretty high-powered semiautomatic rifle back in 1900 when John Browning first designed it.  It was not produced until 1910, and built from 1910-14, and then again from 1921-31.  The same design was licensed to Remington, and produced as the Remington Model 8.  The Browning version, however, has an aiming rib above the barrel and a leaf rear-sight.  This weapon was a pretty advanced design for the time.

Browning New BAR

     Notes: The New BAR is an update of the BAR sporting rifle above.  The stock no longer has the humpback stock of the earlier design, instead having a conventional drop stock, and a fore-end with deep finger flutes to enable a positive grip.  The basic operation is the same, but the action is more compact, resulting in a shorter and lighter weapon.  The New BAR has iron sights, but is also dripped and tapped for a scope; the rear sight is well forward, ahead of the receiver, while front sight is hooded to protect it.  The pistol grip wrist and fore-end are also checkered.  The weight of the weapon, though lighter than the original BAR, helps tame the recoil of some of the powerful cartridges it fires, as does the thick recoil pad on the butt.  The trigger pull is described by one author as both creepy and mushy.  There are three versions: the Short-Trac, the Short-Trac Magnum, and the Long-Trac, which are differentiated primarily in the rounds they are chambered for.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: This rifle does not exist.

FN FN-15

     Notes: This is a family of AR-based rifles designed for a variety of sporting uses, from hunting to target shooting to competitions like 3-Gun competitions.  The design also has military and police uses, with the DMR designed specifically for military use.  All versions are accurized.

     The basic version, the FN-15 MOE SLG, is equipped with a Magpul MOE package, including an M-LOK handguard, a removable rear sight and fixed front sight that are Magpul-modified A2 sights.  The sliding stock and pistol grip are part of the MOE SL package; they are basic shorts of stocks and grips, though more ergonomic than one might find on a standard AR.  The charging handle and magazine release are designed to be more ergonomic.  The 16-inch barrel has a military profile and a standard A2-type flash suppressor.

     The FN-15 Sporting is basically an FN-15 MOE SLG modified for greater accuracy; it is meant to be a hunting weapon, but is equally adept for target shooting.  The 18-inch barrel is match-grade, cold hammer forged, has a chromed bore, and is tipped with a SureFire ProComp 556 muzzle brake. The trigger is a Timney competitive trigger, and is two-stage.  The grip is the same MOE grip as on the MOE SLG, but the sliding stock is a Magpul CTR stock with more mass than the MOE SLG, and with larger unlocking levers.  The Sporting does not come with iron sights, but does have a full-length Picatinny rail atop the receiver and extending to the gas block. The handguard is a Samson Evolution 15-inch.

     The FN-15 Rifle is essentially the AR-15A2 given the FN Treatment.  The stock is A2, except for the compartment in the butt for a cleaning kit and the metal buttplate. The top of the receiver has a MIL-STD-1913 rail, and the carrying handle (with rear sight) is removable. The front sight is a standard A2 post.   The barrel is 20 inches.  The Carbine is similar in concept to the AR-15A2 Carbine.  Furniture is in many identical to the rifle, but the Carbine has a sliding stock (a standard AR stock), and the handguards are slightly oval in cross-section. Barrel length is 16 inches, tipped with A2 flash suppressor.  Though a commemorative model, The FN-15 1776 has special markings and slightly better components.  The 16-inch barrel is of alloy steel, and tipped with an A2 flash suppressor. The top of the receiver has a MIL-STD-1913 rail; atop the gas block is a very short section of rail for installation of sights.  The 1776 is very similar to the Carbine; most of what it a 1776 is the special markings, though it is much lighter.

     The Tactical is one of two designed to appeal to the military and police as well as civilians.  (The possible military use leaves open a possible full auto capability, and I have included this below just for general interest.)  The Tactical has a Magpul MOE SL sliding stock, and an MOE grip. The stock, however, has a recoil pad on the butt.  The 16-inch barrel has a match-grade barrel, cold hammer forged, and free floating, and tipped with an FN-designed three-prong open flash suppressor.  The controls are modified to be more ergonomic.  Atop the receiver and handguard is a continuous MIL-STD-1913 rail; under the handguard is another one. The Tactical is obviously useful for DMR applications, and also by competition shooters (especially those in 3-Gun). The DMR is designed for military designated marksmen, as well as police snipers; it has obvious competition uses.  It has the same handguard as the Tactical, and the lower rail is short, about enough for a bipod or light.  Removable, folding iron sights are provided -- Magpul MBUS Pro sights.  The barrel is 18 inches, but built to the same specs as the Tactical, and is tipped with a Surefire ProComp 556 muzzle brake.  A recoil pad is provided.

FN FNAR

     FN describes the FNAR as “descending from the legendary Browning Automatic Rifle” (the sporting rifle version above, not the automatic rifle).  The FNAR is chambered only for 7.62mm NATO, but the design is beefed up for heavier use and to withstand more abuse.  The stock is synthetic and has a true pistol grip instead of a pistol grip wrist; the pistol grip is textured.  The stock has a sling swivel on the butt and as part of the lower MIL-STD-1913 rail at the front; this frontal sling swivel can be removed, and the mount used to attach a bipod. The receiver is of 7075 T6 aircraft aluminum and is topped by a MIL-STD-1913 rail, and there are rails on the sides of the handguards and bottom for accessories.  The stock may be adjusted by length of pull by use of spacers.  The magazine well is flared for quick reloads.  The barrel may be 16 or 20 inches and is of light contour and fluted for strength.  The magazine release and crossbolt safety are ambidextrous.  The bold handle is extended for easier utility, though not extended enough as to provide an obstruction or hang up on something. The standard rifle has no iron sights, relying on sighting equipment mounted on the receiver rail.

     The FNAR Match is a variant of the FNAR designed for target shooting as well as use as a designated marksman’s tool and a policeman’s tactical rifle, as well as by hunters looking for a more accurate weapon.  The FNAR Match features a 20” cold hammer-forged fluted match-quality barrel with a target crown and hard-chromed bore.  The stock and furniture is designed by McMillan, and has an adjustable cheekpiece, a length of pull adjustable by spacers, and three sling swivels.  The receiver is of aircraft-quality aluminum, and is topped, like the standard FNAR, with a MIL-STD-1913 rail. There are mounting points for rails on the front sides of the fore-end as well as the bottom, though these are optional and not included with the basic FNAR Match.  The magazine release is ambidextrous; the safety is a crossbolt safety.  The bolt release lever is extended for easier reach.

     The FNAR Heavy Barrel is essentially the same as the standard FNAR, but has a heavy-profile cold hammer-forged fluted barrel with a hard-chromed bore and target crown as standard.  The cheekpiece is not adjustable per se, but the FNAR Heavy Barrel comes with three interchangeable combs to mount on the stock.  The FNAR Heavy Barrel is quite useful as a designated Marksman’s or police tactical sniper rifle, as the heavy barrel and extra weight lead to greater accuracy and less barrel jump.