Browning Nomad (.22 LR)
Kim du Toit
October 13, 2004
12:00 AM CDT
Here’s an interesting little pistol: the Browning Nomad in .22 LR:
Those who see the similarity between the High Standard Flite King and the Nomad, go to the head of the class: the two designs are almost identical (but parts are not interchangeable).
The Nomad was made between 1962 and 1974, and can be found with either 4½"- or 6½” barrels. Based on the earlier Colt Woodsman design, it never really found favor with gun owners, hence its short production run.
The Nomad has a reputation for excellent accuracy, but is also reputed to be really fussy about the ammo it will shoot. A friend who owned one claimed that his Nomad would only shoot CCI Green Tag with any degree of reliability, and I’ve read similar reports on the gun geek boards, only with different ammo. So if you get one, buy a box of almost every type of .22 ammo to find the gun’s “preference”. (Actually, this is something you should do with almost every .22 pistol anyway.)
I personally find the severe “rake” of the grip angle uncomfortable (I prefer the more “upright” grip of the Buckmark or Ruger 22/45), but others just love the Nomad/Woodsman grip angle.
The Nomad will set you back about $250 to $350, depending on condition—and considering its accuracy, that’s quite surprising. But parts are scarce and therefore expensive (ditto for the High Standard, incidentally), which may account for its low price.
And remember: National Ammo Day/Week is coming...
Pic courtesy of Collector’s Fireams in Houston
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