A-Bolt, A-Bolt II or AB3. What's the Difference?

A-Bolt, A-Bolt II or AB3. What's the Difference?

What is an A-Bolt? It could be an A-Bolt or an A-Bolt II or possibly even an AB3.

What is an A-Bolt? It could be an A-Bolt or an A-Bolt II or possibly even an AB3.

The A-Bolt was built in two main series. The original A-Bolt and the A-Bolt II. Both are very similar rifles and are considered part of a design family. The new AB3 — sometimes also referred to as an A-Bolt — is a different model and design. Accessories, such as bases and rings, magazines, etc. made for the original A-Bolt and A-Bolt II will not fit the AB3. All three of these designs are totally separate from the X-Bolt rifle as well. 

To identify which rifle you have, you will either need to 1) know the serial number or 2) answer a few questions about the rifle. In a few seconds, you can easily determine what Browning rifle it is.

By Serial Number.

By Serial Number.

Locate the serial number and identify the last three digits. They represent the following rifles:

  • 351 is an A-Bolt II or I (original A-Bolt)
  • 358 is the AB3
  • 354 is an X-Bolt

By Observation.

By Observation.

Just look closely at the rifle in front of you and you will know what it is right away by asking this:

  • Is there a hinged floor plate or does the magazine pop right into you hand?
    • AB3 drops out, A-Bolt II (and original A-Bolt) is attached to the floorplate
  • Is the magazine release in front or behind the magazine?
    • Next to trigger guard is A-Bolt II (or original A-Bolt), in front is AB3
  • Is the magazine plastic or metal or a combination of the two?
    • All metal is A-Bolt II (or original A-Bolt), plastic and metal is AB3
  • Is the bolt body in the ejection port round or are there flats?
    • If it is round it is an AB3, If it has flats it is an A-Bolt II (or original A-Bolt)

A-Bolt Shotgun?

A-Bolt Shotgun?

The A-Bolt shotgun is a unique design incorporating many of the design features of the original A-Bolt and the A-Bolt II rifle. However, it is simply an A-Bolt Shotgun -- a unique product. Conveniently, it does have the same scope base attachment screw setup as the A-Bolt II and general features and benefits are similar (short bolt lift, detachable magazine with hinged floorplate, etc.). 

What about the X-Bolt?

What about the X-Bolt?

Occasionally someone might not know how to identify the X-Bolt. Just remember that each scope base is held down by four screws -- four at the front and four at the back. If it takes eight screws to mount the bases, it is an X-Bolt. It also features a larger, curved bottom metal surrounding the magazine well which is not only elegant, but easy to identify as on an X-Bolt.