Browning's BAR Collection
Published on July 3, 2025 by Jace Bauserman
There is no question that Browning’s X-Bolt 2 line dominates the manufacturer’s rifle lineup — so much so that Browning’s seven BAR models get a little overshadowed at times. They shouldn’t. The BAR is deeply rooted in firearm lore, and current models make top-tier hunting rifles.
Background
Background
Before we examine the BAR MK 3 rifles in-depth, it’s essential to review history. Patented in 1917 by legendary gun designer John Moses Browing, the BAR M1918 (Browning Automatic Rifle) was adopted by American front-line troops shortly before the end of World War I.
During World War II, the BAR was favored by soldiers for its reliability, toughness, and fast, accurate firepower delivery.
Shortly before my grandfather’s death, I interviewed him about his time in the Philippines during World War II. Grandpa was the BAR gunner in his unit, and he carried the fast-cycling BAR while two assistant gunners carried extra ammunition magazines.
“I was glad I was the gunner,” Grandpa told me. “I could lay down heavy fire quickly, and that saved our butts more than once. I miss that rifle. It’s one of the biggest reasons I got to come home.”
The BAR was so effective as an infantry firearm that it stayed in service well into the Vietnam War.
The Sporting BAR
The Sporting BAR
The Browning BAR sporting version is a very different rifle from the military BAR M1918. Bruce Browning, grandson of the original inventor, in conjunction with designers from Belgium’s Fabrique Nationale, developed the hunting rifle that carries the famous namesake. Introduced in 1967, these sporting rifles were smaller, lighter, and available in a wide selection of calibers. The new BAR rifles quickly gained notoriety for their accuracy, dependability, and ability to fire hard-hitting magnum calibers — a rarity among autoloaders.
Over the years, Browning BAR rifles have continued to evolve. The latest MK 3 versions are lighter, more compact, and even more accurate. BAR MK 3 rifles are available in calibers from .243 Win. to 300 Win. Mag with barrel lengths of 22 and 24 inches.
“The MK 3 checks all the boxes,’ said longtime industry veteran and co-host of The Choice outdoor television show Ralph Cianciarulo. "Today's MSRs are attractive to many, but have their drawbacks. I prefer the BAR MK3. It's light, compact, and cycles rounds as fast as you can squeeze the trigger. The magazine is detachable and loads quickly, and for those looking for superior accuracy between 0 and 300 yards, these short-barreled semi-automatic rifles deliver it in spades.”
While Team Cianciarulo calls on the MK 3 when hogs and bears are on the menu, the rifle works well for all big-game hunts. Elk hunters who love to creep through the dark timber, hoping to harvest a bedded bull, will appreciate the rifle’s shorter length and lighter weight. As Ralph pointed out, the recoil of the gas-driven MK 3 is generally light until you get up into the larger calibers.
“We love it for bears and hogs,” Ralph said. “It carries like a dream through the woods, and when we earn a shot in dense cover, and a follow-up shot is needed, we can stay in our optic, reacquire the target, and quickly dump more rounds to ensure the animal is down.”
“The MK 3 is also an excellent whitetail rifle,” added Cianciarulo. “Many places we hunt whitetails require shots no longer than 200 yards. I like a lightweight, compact rifle when sitting in a treestand or blind, but they are equally effective in spot-and-stalk situations. When Mr. Big steps out on the edge of a food plot, and buck fever gets you, you can remain in your optic. You don’t have to worry about cycling another round and pumping every bullet out of your rifle. The gas system cycles for you, and you can send an ethical second shot should the buck stop before he disappears into the timber.”
Four Popular BAR’s
Four Popular BAR’s
Two Browning BAR MK 3s that receive much hunting love are the MK 3 Speed and MK 3 Stalker. The former is cloaked in Browning’s OVIX camo and is accented with a durable Smoked Bronze Cerakote finish on the fluted barrel and drilled-and-tapped receiver, and the Stalker is finished off with a black stock and forearm with a non-reflective matte blued finish on the receiver and forearm.
The BAR MK 3 Speed is available in 22-inch barrel versions in calibers of .243 Win., .308 Win., .270 Win., .30-06 SPRG, and 7mm Rem. Mag. and .300 Win. Mag with 24-inch fluted barrels. The MK 3 Stalker mirrors the MX 3 Speed in barrel lengths and calibers but does have a 7mm-08 Rem. option with a 22-inch barrel.
For traditionalists, Browning also offers the BAR MK 3. This is a wallet-friendly price point for a wood-stock rifle with an engraved receiver and polished blued barrel.
A true multi-purpose BAR, the 18-inch barrel MK 3 DBM (Detachable Box Magazine) with Picatinny rail top mount is an ideal close-range hunting rifle, a perfect camp gun, and one you want when doing ranch and farm chores. Unlike the other BAR models that use a removable steel magazine that swings down for easy loading, the DBM has an external, extended magazine that holds 10 rounds. Both Composite and Wood DBM models are available and share an overall length of 40-1/8 inches and weigh 7 pounds 6 ounces. An alloy magazine well, fluted barrel, and top-mounted Picatinny rail are also featured.
Hunters and collectors looking for time-honored performance need look no further than the BAR MK 2 Safari Tribute High Grade and Tribute Mid Grade. These classic, limited-edition rifles showcase the origins of the sporting BAR rifles with solid steel receivers and well-figured, gloss finished wood.
All BAR MK 3 rifles feature a lightweight aluminum alloy receiver that houses a strong, seven-lug rotating bolt that locks securely into the barrel to ensure a tight breech-to-chamber marriage. The rigid action bar/inertia block reduces barrel vibration to increase accuracy. An internal buffering system reduces wear and stress on the moving parts.
If you haven’t experienced the compact, lightweight, smooth, and accurate shooting of a Browning BAR rifle, you owe it to yourself to do so. These rifles check all the hunting boxes and are a blast to shoot. Because each barrel is hammer-forged and crafted in a thoroughly controlled process, you can count on every BAR to do its job and fill both the freezer and the trophy room.
