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Anyone know if Browning ever fixed the problem with their Duratouch coating turning sticky? I have a chance to pick up a new X-Bolt at what I think is a decent price, but don't want to deal with the coating breaking down after a couple of years.

My BIL has a Browning Cynergy with the Duratouch coating that is several years old with no issues.

I have a Cynergy and BPS with it, but they're far too new to have issues, so yes, I hope they have it corrected.

I've had an X-Bolt with the Duracoat coated stock since 2015 and it's still good so hopefully mine was after they fixed the problem.

Reminds me of the Sims Limbsaver I put on my A-bolt.

Ended up ripping carpet off the floor.

Out of curiosity, how long did the finish last before turning sticky with the bad Duratouch? Was it ever determined if certain gun cleaning chemicals or oils was to blame?

It wasn’t just Browning that had the problem with Duratouch getting sticky. I bought a camouflage Bell & Carlson Duratouch stock 10 years ago from B&C and over the past few years it’s gotten more and more gooey. It’s gotta get fixed so I’ll call B&C and hopefully they stand behind their products because I have at least 3 more stocks I want to buy.

I believe they corrected it by not selling them anymore. But I could be mistaken. That said, if you have one that goes south, just call browning, send it back and they'll replace it within a couple weeks and ship it back to you. Not that big of a deal. In fact, I think you can call them with the serial number and find out if it's covered under warranty. Might be worth the time spent if it's a solid deal on the rifle.

+1

They fixed it by not selling it anymore. I also believe there is an open invitation by Browning to address the issue. I called them recently and on their VM greeting there was a "press # if you are calling about a Duratouch issue."

If you have one that's sticky, and don't really care for how it looks, you can get rid of the stickiness by sprinkling corn starch powder on it. Talc works too, but corn starch is finer. I have some old Japanese Tasco World Class binos that came with a rubber coating that got sticky, and they were too good to stop using. Corn starch fixed it.

Same with Bowtech and their In Velvet overcoat. Lasted about 3 months before they figured out it wasn't worth a schitt.

My 2010 A-Bolt got sticky after about 7 years and I tried the corn starch which helped but the stickiness kept getting worse so I ended up removing the coating using nail polish remover. The paint came off in a few small spots so I touched it up and clear coated it. Browning offered to do it but I've heard they can take a long time.

I had the icky-sticky mess on my Sako 85, purchased in 2013. Did not even bother with any attempt to deal with customer service at Beretta. I knew where that would get me. I had a custom stock built & love it.

Purchased another Sako 85 in 2018 with the same coating. So far, so good.

I have an A.Bolt that turned sticky.
Tried all of the trucks
Finally one day I was downstairs in my reloading room
where I had a can of die-electric cleaner for electric motors.
Figured it was worth a shot since nothing else helped.
Amazingly enough it removed 100% of the sticky.
That was over 2 years and many many outings and miles.
I would definitely use it again

Sako had the same problem with their Duratouch stocks. One of my A7's came with the Duratouch stock the next one looked just like it but the stock wasn't Duratouch. Think they solved the problem by doing away with Duratouch.

I checked the serial number on my A-Bolt and it apparently was made in 2007. Spent most of its life in the safe and didn't have any chemicals spilled on it. The whole stock surface is now noticeably sticky although not peeling.

Jerry

I have 3 browning shotguns with the duratouch finish and 2 of them got sticky. Browning fixed the problem witthout any issues. It took about 3 or 4 weeks each time. They have a claim form you fill out online including the serial number and if it qualifies they will email you a shipping tag, Box it up and take it to UPS and in a few weeks it will be returned to you completl;y refinished. So far there are no problems with the 3rd shotgun but if it does get sticky I know they will fix it for me.

Same here. Made in 2007 and lived in a gun safe nearly all it's life. Completely sticky now. Sent it to Browning today. I had them send a shipping label but I wasn't sure it had insurance so I went ahead and shipped it (insured for $1,000) and cost a whole $28.00+. Cheap for peace of mind.

Jim

Browning called a couple of days ago. They no longer have the Brush camo which is on the gun now. I went with the Breakup camo. They said they will get it back to me as soon as they could. It will be nice to get it back home again.

Jim

I got the A-Bolt back and it looks great. Here are the before and after pics. Thanks Browning.

Jim