Grunti39

I have just acquired a 1971 Browning Challenger with the 4.5" barrel. I'm cleaning the piece but have run into a problem. There is a mounting screw securing the barrel to the frame that must be unscrewed. The barrel should then just slide to the rear and up for removal. My problem is the barrel will not budge. I had a 1962 version of this same pistol (stolen along with my pickup in the 1970's) and removing the barrel was never a problem. I do not have a manual nor can I find a pdf on the internet. I've read that the later versions manuals were different and I have ordered one from Browning. Any suggestions while it soaks in CLP?

dfariswheel

Here's a site with exploded views of a number of Browning pistols.
The Challenger isn't specifically shown, but other models used the same design.

http://www.stevespages.com/browning.html

From the same site are owner's manuals for some Brownings:

page7b

According to my old service manual for the Nomad the barrel is retained by the screw and a unique wedge-lock design.
Remove the screw, hold the slide to the rear while bumping the muzzle on a padded surface, then push it backward and upward to remove.
Allow the slide to ease off the front of the frame, making sure not to lose control of the recoil spring.

Grunti39

Unfortunately, the CII manual does not give any recommendations for stuck barrels. I'm afraid the previous owner never went this far in his cleaning. The pistol was graded at 95% so it probably stayed in its box in a drawer for 41 years. I've given it a pretty good bump without success. Hopefully, the CLP will free it up by tomorrow. The barrel mating design makes for a tight fit!

Update: CLP worked and barrel removed. After a good cleaning I'll replace the short barrel with the long barrel that originally came with my stolen pistol.