Browning Challenger?

greener · Post by **greener** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 7:17 pm

Got to eyeing two Challengers (1969 and 1972) while I was buying mags for my Ruger. Both are in excellent condition. Any opinions on the Challenger.

Tigerbeetle · Post by **Tigerbeetle** » Fri Jun 12, 2009 11:35 am

Challengers are awesome. Next best thing to the Medalist. If the dates are right, those are both Challenger I's made in Belgium. I have a Challenger II made in 1977 here in the US. I love to shoot it. It was re-designed somewhat from the Challenger I, and was the precursor of what eventually became the Challenger III and finally the Buck Mark. Generally the Challenger I's are a couple hundred dollars or so more than the Challenger II.

greener · Post by **greener** » Fri Jun 12, 2009 6:46 pm

These are Belgium made. Nice feeling pistols. Decided I didn't need one when I was looking at them, then decided after I left that "need" had nothing to do with it. Gives me something to contemplate this weekend.

How do they compare to Buck Marks? I have a Standard. Overall, it is a pretty darned good pistol. Reliable, accurate, good trigger, pretty good grip and feel. I've recommended Buck Marks along with Rugers and the 22A to the "Which pistol?" threads. For some unknown reason, if I had to pick one of my .22's to take shooting, I'd take one of the Rugers or the 22A before I took the BM. I even thought about seeing what they'd give me in trade for the Standard.

bearandoldman · Post by **bearandoldman** » Fri Jun 12, 2009 8:23 pm

greener wrote:These are Belgium made. Nice feeling pistols. Decided I didn't need one when I was looking at them, then decided after I left that "need" had nothing to do with it. Gives me something to contemplate this weekend.

How do they compare to Buck Marks? I have a Standard. Overall, it is a pretty darned good pistol. Reliable, accurate, good trigger, pretty good grip and feel. I've recommended Buck Marks along with Rugers and the 22A to the "Which pistol?" threads. For some unknown reason, if I had to pick one of my .22's to take shooting, I'd take one of the Rugers or the 22A before I took the BM. I even thought about seeing what they'd give me in trade for the Standard.

I really think you should get both, that way you will have one for each hand and next week you will not have to think, maybe I should have bought the other one, because you have it.

greener · Post by **greener** » Fri Jun 12, 2009 10:03 pm

bearandoldman wrote: I really think you should get both, that way you will have one for each hand and next week you will not have to think, maybe I should have bought the other one, because you have it.

That certainly would save future angst. Of course at the price of two, I'd be close to the price of an M41, but I'd still be wondering about the Challengers.

bearandoldman · Post by **bearandoldman** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 12:29 am

greener wrote:
bearandoldman wrote: I really think you should get both, that way you will have one for each hand and next week you will not have to think, maybe I should have bought the other one, because you have it.
That certainly would save future angst. Of course at the price of two, I'd be close to the price of an M41, but I'd still be wondering about the Challengers.

Well, then buy the damn guns and get a 41 later. Can't have a man your age wandering around fretting about things, it's just not healthy.

bearandoldman · Post by **bearandoldman** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 12:36 am

Remember old proverb, I think " You can't take it with you and you can't send it ahead, so you might as well use it when you are here or someone else will use it after you are gone" Makes sense to me.

Post by **Bullseye** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 6:54 pm

The Challengers are nice but I have a preference for the 'Medalist' model. Did the Challenger you looked at have a heavy or standard barrel?

R,
Bullseye

bearandoldman · Post by **bearandoldman** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 6:58 pm

Bullseye wrote:The Challengers are nice but I have a preference for the 'Medalist' model. Did the Challenger you looked at have a heavy or standard barrel?

R,
Bullseye

You better get a couple of them also.

Tigerbeetle · Post by **Tigerbeetle** » Mon Jun 15, 2009 9:38 am

Way to tell him, BAOM!! Took the words right out of my mouth. BTW, I was at my son's house this weekend for the grandkids' B-day party. His GR, Mico" sends his regards to Bear.

TB

KAZ · Post by **KAZ** » Mon Jun 15, 2009 10:03 am

I own a mint Challenger that came with both the 4" and 7" barrels. The barrels are easy to change out and they lock up solid. Accuracy is target grade, function is perfect with CCI SV.SK Match, etc. The Challenger is the Queen Jewel of 22 RF, full of close tolerance machined parts. You will never regret acquiring one and they will sell in a heartbeat if you ever decide to do so. It is my favorite of my 22 RF pistols without doubt, and I love my Smith 41s. The Challenger feel so good and naturally points

bearandoldman · Post by **bearandoldman** » Mon Jun 15, 2009 10:49 am

Tigerbeetle wrote:Way to tell him, BAOM!! Took the words right out of my mouth. BTW, I was at my son's house this weekend for the grandkids' B-day party. His GR, Mico" sends his regards to Bear.

TB

Bear send a hearty Wooooooofie

KAZ · Post by **KAZ** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 3:37 pm

greener, have you added that Challenger to your stable yet? You know that you "need" one! You have to join the "Spending Our Children's Inheritance Club" with baom and I.

I found this old rough barrel and had my Smith thread it and mount a small red dot rail. It will put a smile on your face!

greener · Post by **greener** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 12:32 am

I'm trying to see if I can squeeze it in along with a donation SWMBO wants to make to our dentists Harvard fund for his kid.

bearandoldman · Post by **bearandoldman** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 6:23 am

greener wrote:I'm trying to see if I can squeeze it in along with a donation SWMBO wants to make to our dentists Harvard fund for his kid.

Let the dentist send his own kid to college, do Ma's dental work yourself and buy more guns. Don't tell her I said that, that news could get spread by the sweet old ladies union and get us into a lot f trouble.