Changes in the Browning BLR?

[Max-4]

I know they made the BLR in a steel receiver and straight grip called the BLR Lightweight-81 for a while. Now they have a straight grip and a pistol grip model with aluminum receivers. I am interested in getting a short action BLR and want to know if the old steel receivers are better than the new aluminum ones. Are their pro's and con's to the straight grip vs the pistol grip stock?

How much heavier would a steel receiver BLR-81 be then an aluminum one in the same caliber?

Did they ever make a steel receiver pistol grip BLR?

[model55]

I may be completely wrong so this is just my .02 but I think pistol grip blr's were all aluminum.The bolt locks into the barrel not the receiver if that is part of what you are wondering about.Been awhile mine is growing dust in the safe

[BenT]

I believe the pistol grip came to be when they went to the alloy receivers(lightning model) in the mid 90's. Pistol or straight grip is just personal preference. My buddy likes his pistol grip 30-06 , i perfer the straight grip.
As far as steel receivers , there is the old BLR with the magazine that hangs below the receiver and then there is the BLR model 81 which is flush with the bottom of the reciever. There is some internal differences between the original BLR and the model 81 . The receiver material doesn't affect the strength of the action since the bolt locks up in the end of the barrel not the receiver. I beleive the original BLR locked up into the receiver.

I've had a 7mm mag BLR with steel receiver and the balance wasn't right . My model 81 steel receiver in 308 is very well balanced and will never sell it. I've also had a short action 81 lightning model in 300 WSM that was lighter than my 308, but too light for a magnum round. It wasn't pleasant to shoot so down the road it went. You won't be disapointed with any short action BLR in a non magnum caliber. Recoil is manageable and it is as handy as a 30-30 Marlin or Winchester.

[model55]

Welcome by the way see it's your first post-stick around this is a very good forum!Someone will be along to straighten us both out on this soon.

[Max-4]

I have a chance to buy a BLR model-81 with the steel receiver in .308 and a Leupold VXII 1-4X scope all in excellent condition for $750. I live in Canada so I would imagine that is like $550-$600 to you guys in the states.

Wondering if it is better than the new alloy ones tho.

[Old Savage]

Buy it!!!!

[Tycer]

Buy it if you like the way it feels. They are great guns. All of the BLRs of any vintage are very nice, accurate guns that will last longer than you.

[Max-4]

I am now the proud owner of a BLR-81 steel receiver in .308 with a Leupold VX-II 1-4 power scope!!! The entire package is in excellent condition with two tiny nicks on the stock and thats it. I paid $750 plus tax Canadian for the package, I think I made off well. Thanks

[hkfrost]

They no longer produce the magazines for the older BLR's. Used mags are VERY expensive when you can find one.

[edsguns]

You got a very nice BLR there! I have an older steel receiver in .358 with a 1-4 Leupy on it. I think you will really enjoy that rifle, nice and handy to carry and very well balanced as well. Good luck!

[RKrodle]

Congratulations on your BLR!!! I have a alloy frame with pistol grip in .358 Winchester and it is my go to gun. I would like someday to have one in .308 because I think it is a great round. Or a Finnwolf in .308 but, Victor is hording all of those .

[Nath]

Wow what a good find, well done.
I knows someone who takes one of them around europe shooting wild boars, swears by it.

Nath.

[Lastmohecken]

You can feel good about your BLR purchase. I know everyone has their own opinion, but just the same, IMHO, you bought the best of the BLR's, not that the others are bad, but I like that particular model and caliber the best. You have the straight grip BLR 81, steel frame, but it was made before the fold down hammer, which is ok if you like it, I have both, but I still prefer the pre-folding hammer models better, but I also prefer the flat magazine you have also.

I am a bit opinionated, but I have owned and or shot quite a few different ones. Your hammer is the non folding model. The original instruction book for that model, will tell you if you carry the gun with a round in the chamber, to carry it with the hammer all of the way down, not on the halfcock notch. The gun has an inertia firing pin, and it is very safe to carry that way. When I first read that, I was worried about it, many years ago, so I promply loaded up a round in the chamber, and lowered the hammer to the all of the way down position and hit it with a hammer, several times. nothing happened, so I have always followed the directions and carried mine that way, ever since, without any problems. It much safer then an old model 94 on half cock, in my opinion.

One other thing, when lowering the hammer, always put your thumb between the hammer and breach, and lower it from there, because the hammers are at a little bit of a bad angle, and can slip out from under the thumb, otherwise if located back on the spur. That's also in the old instruction books, as the proper method to lower the hammer.

You should have a fine gun there, and should expect to get probably 1.5 inch groups or less at a hundred, with good ammo, maybe even better, if you do your part.

[Bigahh]

Very nice purchase! Also comes with a perfect scope for the rifle also. Congrats! Let us know how it shoots.

[Tycer]

Very nice!

The flat mag your gun uses is the same mag as the current ones. I'd still spring for a few backups.

[Old Savage]

Very good outfit - I am sure you will like it.

[Wes]

I'd say it's a good buy and you're going to like that rifle. I have a Belgian made BLR in 308. My wife's boss was moving and decided to sell his rifles. One of which was this BLR with a 3x9 Weaver scope. He had bought it, mounted the scope, and never fired it even to sight it in. His wife wouldn't let him hunt!
So I bought this rifle for $250 with 3 boxes of shells five or six years ago. Brand spanking new! Never get that lucky again I'm sure.
I do like that rifle and caliber. They're easy to carry and can be VERY accurate and they don't kick bad. 308 is a plenty good caliber for pretty much everything. If you figure the cost of that good scope off the total cost, you got a fine rifle for a cheap price.
I hunt with a newer BLR in 358 and like it too. It's a little lighter for sure than the steel receivers but I don't know by how much.

[Max-4]

Yeah I really like the rifle and it comes up to my shoulder great. I just replaced those crappy Tasco rings with some Burris Zee-Rings without the synthetic inserts, they are really rice and work great at medium height. I ran the serial number on Brownings web sight and my gun was made in 1981, so it is a year older than I am .

So this gun will use the magazines that are on the current BLR's? I can just order a mag from my local dealer for a new BLR in .308?

It really seems like a great setup for hunting, I knew I wanted a steel receiver BLR and allthough it does have two tiny nicks in the stock it is a 29 year old gun. I dont think I could have found one in better shape for the money with a quality scope. Im guessing $750 Canadian would come out to about $600 US in your used gun market, so im happy with what I paid.

[Nath]

" I ran the serial number on Brownings web sight and my gun was made in 1981, so it is a year older than I am ."

Probably better looking too

N