Browning BAR: A Classic Semi-Auto Rifle That Still Sells

The Browning BAR has been a popular choice for firearm enthusiasts since its introduction in 1967. Don’t confuse this BAR with the famed Browning Automatic Rifle that served our Doughboys so well in the trenches of World War I, at the Chosin Reservoir in Korea and beyond. That design is more than 100 years old. This Browning BAR is still being made and doesn’t require a tax stamp to assume ownership.

Browning has eight models of the semi-auto currently in production. They are the Safari and Safari with BOSS in the Mark 2 family. There’s also a Mark 3 model, with Hell’s Canyon Speed, Wood, DBM (Detachable Box Magazine), Mossy Oak Break-Up Country and Stalker versions.

The Mark 2 Safari’s come with a gloss walnut stock, rounded fore-end, engraved receiver and polished blue barrel. It’s a classic Browning look sure to turn heads. MSRP for the base model runs from $1,229.99 to $1,399.99, depending on chambering selected—which also determines the barrel length of either 22 or 24 inches. It’s available in .25-’06 Rem., .243 Win., .270 Win., .30-’06 Sprg., .308 Win., .338 Win. Mag. or 7 mm Rem. Mag. Four chamberings are available with Browning’s Ballistic Optimized Shooting System (BOSS) and MSRPs run from $1,459.99 to $1,589.99.

There is much more to choose from in the Mark 3 line, everything from wood stocks to synthetic in camo and black. The base model has a traditional walnut stock polished blued barrel and engraved receiver. It’s available in nine chamberings, three barrel lengths and, depending on model, will set you back between $1,299.99 and $1,389.99. Magazine capacity varies by cartridge and each uses a gas-piston system of operation.

The black synthetic stocked Mk 3 Stalker is also available in nine chamberings. Barrel lengths run from 22 to 23 inches and MSRP is $1,299.99 to $1,389.99.

The design may have celebrated its 53rd birthday, but it’s already considered a classic and was the sixth-best-selling semi-automatic rifle for retailers using the services of GunBroker.com last year.