Just did the paperwork on an as-new BLR in 358 with a 2.5 Leupold in QRW rings. Yes, I "stole" it......

Sure like the magazine, and the way it points. I still have a couple of boxes of 200 gr. GS customs stashed, somewhere. Now, all I need is a couple of weeks off to hunt elk....

Happiness is a new gun And new dies, brass, ammo boxes, range trips..... Dutch.

Congratulations on your purchase. Share pics when you get it.

David

I would, if I could figure out the hosting thing.....

The one thing I am impressed with is the quality of the wood on the stock. Much better than any other wood I have, including my wife's Beretta. It's amazing how this increases the "fondle factor"!

Can't wait to start loading her up.

Question for those who know. What is the difference between the BLR and the Lightning? This one is made in Japan but the bolt locks into the action, not the barrel. Dutch.

Dutch: The original BLR was introduced in the 1969 and featured a concave steel receiver (wider at the ends than in the middle) and a magazine which projected a considerable amount below the receiver. This model was produced in Belgium from 1969 till 1972 (from 1973 on, all models have been built in Japan). In 1981, the '81 BLR was introduced with a straight steel receiver that permitted a wider magazine that is more or less flush with the receiver. The Lightning versions of the BLR were introduced in 1995. These models have a curved pistol grip that went with the curved action lever. Additionally, the receiver material changed from steel to an aluminum alloy. They remained this style until 2003, when Browning introduced the New '81 model with the straight grip and lever but which retains the aluminum receiver. There are other minor differences that exists between production years, most of which you can only notice if happen to own a few of them.

If you like, you can age your BLR at this site:

http://www.browning.com/services/dategun/guns/blr.htm

Enjoy that BLR - they are sweet.

pagris

1977 .358 BLR
1980 .358 BLR - original owner
1987 .243 '81 BLR
1991 7mm-08 '81 BLR

Pagris, wonderful information. Looks like I have your 358's littermate: it's a late 1976 model. It's spent a lot of time in someone's safe, as it is near perfect. It's been shot, but barely.

Not anymore. This little darling is going to get carried! I hope the Whelen won't get jealous....!

Thanks again, Dutch.

Dutch, I had a BLR and had my gunsmith work on the trigger. The only really thing I didnt like about the BLR was the trigger, it has alot of creep in it. The best news is your gunsmith can make it alot better. I think the BLR is a great lever action. It locks up like a bolt, but is a lever action. I probably will eventually buy another one of them. I do like the new straight stock design. The BLR I had was a thrill to through up on your shoulder, it just felt good. My smith talked me into putting a muzzle brake on the rifle, big mistake, and I sold the rifle. I despise muzzle brakes, and that was the end of that experiment. Enjoy it, the BLR is a wonderful rifle in the American tradition, a lever action.

Aggie, someone has already taken care of the trigger. It has some slack, but it breaks clean and is somewhere around 3-4 lbs. I agree, the straight stock is a beauty. Mine is the old style steel receiver, and the bolt locks into the receiver, not the barrel like the new ones. I went to the shop to compare the two, and I must say that although the new ones are just fine, I prefer the old style action, and CERTAINLY prefer the old stock. Much prefer the oiled vs. the urethane look! FWIW, Dutch. (A&M '91).