Picked Up A BL-22 I Can't Find Info On

[bfpgw]

I have been looking at a BL-22 at the local gunshop for a few months.  They are selling it as used because they got it from an estate.  It is unfired and even has the factory sticker on the underside of the forearm.  I can't find it anywhere on the web including Browning.  I wonder if anyone can shed some light on it for me.  I don't have the serial number handy but can get it easily (I plunged and bought it this Saturday)

It looks to be the standard barrel length (20") but the barrel is matte finish stainless steel and the receiver appears to be stainless or matte finish nickel.  The receiver is lighter in color than the barrel which looks like medium gray.  The stock is gray laminated.

I shot it out behind the gun shop (rural area) and it will hit a dime easily at 15 paces off hand (I did it to a small piece of plastic three times in a row).  I love it so far but plan to shoot a box of ammo through it this coming Sunday.

I found a reference to a similar rifle on blueridgeoutdoorsports.com as a 2007 Limited Edition Full Line Dealer special rifle.

Any help firmly identifying it and tips on it's care and feeding is appreciated.

Confused in East Central Missouri

[Rangr44]

That's a very rare model, and worth over $3,000 unfired/NIB - Too bad you shot it & made it worth what any other used BL-22 is worth.         

[superdown]

I don't know about $ 3,000 but the 3 of them i have seen around here in WA only cost around $500 NIB . I hope they make that a full production version . very nice little rifle you got there enjoy. superdown

[bfpgw]

Thanks for the comments on your experience.  I am in no position to argue whether it is worth $3000 or $500.  I'm tickled with it and don't care how much it would be worth unfired.  It is going to get used, period.  I felt $400 was a good deal.  I can get most guns for $25 over dealer cost from an FFL friend.  I was toying with getting the Henry in blued with octagon barrel but they don't look real stout.  The Marlin 39 is probably very high quality and durability, but the receiver is too short for it's overall length.  I was looking for an 1894 look alike in a 22LR.  I think I found it.  If it came blued with walnut stock that would have been fine.  The laminated stock and ss barrel is just a bonus.

I've never picked up a Browning lever action of any type before.  The lever action is a little different with the trigger being mounted within the lever assembly.  Makes for nice short strokes.  I can chamber a second round without taking my thumb off the stock.  Can't do that with my Marlin 45-70.  Took it to the range Saturday.  It shoots pretty good with iron sights at 50 yards.  My groups were pretty loose but we had a 25-30 mph side wind with some good gusts here near St Louis Saturday.  My 30-30 and 45-70 didn't have an issue with the wind.  Must be due to the 45-70 rounds being 10 times the weight of the 22LR!

[superdown]

I wouldn't shy away from the Henry golden boy at all i have one and it is a very nice weapon and stout as for the standard Henry 22 lever they have a cheap painted receiver that i would not recommend i have several browning rifles including BLR's and an A-bolt II never had a single problem with any browning product to date. superdown