Grip? Steel vs alloy? Seem to recall some changes.

Also, what about trigger quality. I want to know how to ID the older model if that is the one I need to find/own.

Thanks.

The older ones had a steel reciever and bolt, the newer ones are made out of high strength aluminium or what browning calls "aircraft grade alloy". Older ones are called BLR 81, Newer ones are called BLR LIGHTWEIGHT 81. From what I've read the triggers are about the same. Six pounds, with a little creep, but adequate in my opinion. How to tell the difference? The bolt on the newer ones is aluminum. For those that say the older one is better, well to each his own, but I think it's a crock. The new ones are available in both pistol grip and straight stock models, as well as a stainless version.

I'll try to keep this simple. The original BLR had a steel receiver and the magazine protruded from the bottom. The change to the BLR 81 was, I believe to a magazine flush with the bottom of the reciever and retaining a steel receiver, and the latest model has an alloy receiver.
I have an original BLR in .358 Win.with the protruding magazine and my biggest gripe is it is way too muzzle light givin, IMHO, poor balance. However, ever with the somewhat creepy trigger, it's still a one inch gun from the bench.
Paul B.

one inch is good in my book ANY day for a hunting rifle.........I wonder about the ALUMINUM bolt,,,,does it have STEEL locking lugs?

The rotating bolt head locks into the barrel extension.

Personally I'd rather have a steel receiver, but...

AllanD

quote:

Originally posted by 6.5BR:
one inch is good in my book ANY day for a hunting rifle.........I wonder about the ALUMINUM bolt,,,,does it have STEEL locking lugs?

The first 3 shot group I ever fired with my .450 marlin BLR was .665" at 100. I was very pleased.

6.5 BR / Neverflinch: I am not 100% sure, but I believe the newer BLRs have a steel bolt with an aluminum alloy receiver.

The models with the aluminum receiver all have a folding hammer as an additional safety feature. This prohibits the use of a hammer extension, which I have on all of mine and find useful. None of the steel receiver models (built prior to 1995) had this feature, to my knowledge.

The triggers on all four of mine are pretty lousy for bench work - lots of creep and heavy - but this goes un-noticed in the field. But they are all good groupers, none-the-less.

Here are some historical notes that I have compiled about the BLR:

Produced in Belgium from 1969 - 1972

Produced in Japan from 1972 to present

Original BLR made from 1969 through 1980 - concave receiver, protruding magazine

'81 BLR made from 1981 till 1994 - straight-sided receiver, flush magazine

BLR Lightning made from 1995 til 2003 - Aluminum alloy receiver, folding hammer, pistol grip stock

In 2003, Browning produces New Lightweight BLR '81 - straight pistol grip brought back

In 2004, a limited run of straight-gripped Stainless BLRs with a grey laminate stock are produced.

In 2005, Browning adds BLR Lightweight with Pistol Grip - includes a Schnabel forearm.

In 2006, Browning introduces a stainless/laminated version of the pistol grip model.



Needless to say, I like them...... pagris.

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

You could be right about the steel bolt, I'll have to look at mine.

Hello,
I have the 81 w/ steel receiver and when compared to the latest version, bolt is steel, receiver is alloy/alluminum and the bolt is fluted or rides in grooves within the receiver
Weight and balance on the steel ones, early or later ones, just seems to feel better to me, personal preference only, but the aluminum receiver should not present any problems for as noted, the bolt locks up in the barrel extension similar to other interupted thread locks ups. Mine shoots the first two or three rounds-308Win.-under 1MOA, but heat build up takes over then and opens up a bit. Overall for a modern hunting rifle, it is just a bolt gun operated with a lever. Outstanding hunting rifle.

I have a new 81' light-weight in .358 win and its balance and ergonomics is just what i was looking for in a light weight but powerful rifle for the really thick stuff. I have shouldered the steel receiver models and they are too heavy, plus the mag sticks out too far for my liking, but they are all very accurate, give or take a few. The bolt is steel not aluminum, i have read a lot of B.S. about the steel receiver being stronger yadda yadda yadda, the receiver houses the internal components and does not deal with any pressure related operations.

The Pre-81 (pot belly magazine) and 81 used taper pins to hold the stuff in place in the receiver. Later when the orginal aluminimum model came our the pins tended to wallow out with use. Now you will notice they use screws on the newest one. If you have to get a new aluminum one to get a 358 winchester then doit.


I have owned six and still have three. Two pre-81's one 81, all steel. The 81's tend to feed better because the magazines are tailored to the particular caliber.

Thanks guys, now I have to decide if/when I choose one, pistol grip/not, blue, stainless...

Browning has really made so many variations, I guess they are selling them to justify more models.

THanks again.

I like them much better without the pistol grip.

I have the old steel reciever models with.flush magazine. When the new ones came out with pistolgrip and fluted bolt- didn"t feel the same and from tests the steel reciever is much,much faster to operate. Sadly I sold an old one in .308 an excellent saddle rifle and tree stand or stalking rifle. It had almost all the finish wore offgouges in the metal and a lot of blue ware. What was I thinking ! If you can buy an old flush steel recieverd blr81 get it.

Hard Luck

Why would the steel receiver models be "much much faster" to operate?Who tested this?

ME ! I have no Idea but they are. It could be the steel bolt v. the fluted bolt or the size of the bolt, the aluminum ones are a little bigger or it could be the type of safety on the different models. or it could be the timing clogs are a little different. I'bve had a bunch of BLRs both old and new shot them at the range and timed them. I can't give you a sientific reason but I just know they are from using them.
Now don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with the new ones, I really like some of the stock configurations( that could be a reason also) However the comb is higher on the pistol grip models which makes them feel different. and the barrel attachment is just a screw which would shoot loose on one of the new ones I had. I only wish they would put a 21" bbl on the rifles with a little more beef in the barrel so they don't seem so muzzle light.
My Blr81 .358 is my go to gun for bear hunting and has taken over 20 bears. As a side nnote the new federal .338/08 will not do any better than the .358 and not as well if you handload.