I bought one new when they first came out. It's a nice appearing carbine, that I always wanted (for some unknown reason). Had a receiver sight screwed on, as it was factory drilled and tapped. Took it to the range with some handloads, and found it shot fairly miserably, and the lever popped open at each shot. Thinking (dangerous thing, that) that the recoil was knocking the lever against my hand causing it to open slightly, I loaded some more and tried again, with the same result, placed it the safe and lost interest. Twenty or so years later, I found it again and decided to have it looked at, so sent it to Midwest Gun Works, who had bought out Browning's parts. Turned out the locking bars were defective, so they fitted a new pair, and tested it for function. Cost $126.00 parts and shipping. It didn't pop open when shot, but accuracy was, well, like an old iron sighted carbine. Noticed that it copper fouled badly in two grooves, so cleaned with BoreTech Copper Remover, and tried again. Same result. In the mean time I cornered the market on Winchester .348 brass for another rifle, and will return to this one someday before I croak. Thinking maybe the barrel could use replacing, or lapping, or just shooting it as is and stop being so finicky. Then again that other rifle is a Siamese Mauser chambered for the .35-348 Winchester Ackley Improved, hmm, maybe - nah, I'll just stuff it back in the safe and leave well enough alone.
