Early BLR Vs BLR 81, both steel..differences?

[Savorino]

About to pick up an early BLR: How do they compare to the BLR 81? They look the same in most ways except for the clip that hangs down vs flush, and the red vented recoil pad versus the solid black one.  Do the handle and shoot similar?
Sav

[pagris]

Savorino:  The primary difference between the original BLR and the '81 BLR is in the receiver shape and, consequently, the clip.  The original BLR (1969 - 1980) has a concave-shaped receiver - it is wider at the ends, where it attached to the stocks, than it is in the middle.  Consequently the clip is narrower and thus had to be made longer in order to hold an adequate number of shells.  The '81 BLR's receiver is straight-sided, which allows a wider and thus shorter clip which is, more or less, flush with the bottom of the receiver.

Owning both, I would say that the '81 BLR is more comfortable to carry because of the flush clip - your hand cradles the receiver as you carry it one-handed, instead of cradling the protruding clip.  The other advantage is that the flush clips are readily available, as they are the same as the ones the current BLRs use - the narrow protruding clips for the original BLR are difficult to find and are pricey.

Another difference I can mention is that original BLRs have a front sight hood, while '81 BLRs do not.  And my 1980 BLR, of which I am the original owner, has, for some reason, a shorter length of pull than my other 3 BLRs - it is quite obvious standing in the gun rack. 

The handling of both models feels the same to me and that is the primary strong point about BLRs, IMO - they just handle great.

pagris

1978 BLR  .358
1980 BLR  .358
1987 '81 BLR  .243
1991 '81 BLR  7mm-08

[Savorino]

pagris
Thanks for the info.
I have a BLR-81 in 7-08 that shoots very well. And have a BLR  in 358 on the way( and anxious to get). Had a 81 in 284, but it was a safe queen that I never shot, to perfect and valuable.
Sav

PS: So both of your 358's are pe-81 style!?

[pagris]

PS: So both of your 358's are pe-81 style!?

Yes, they are both pre-81's.  It is interesting to note the small differences between them - the length of pull difference I already mentioned, one has a gold trigger, the other has a black trigger.  I do wish, in a small way, that one of them was a '81 model - I do prefer the flush-style clip. 

Hope you enjoy your new .358 - it is a great caliber, especially if you reload.

[Savorino]

pagris
Do either of your 358's or any pre-81's for that matter have a black trigger? The one I'm getting doesn't have a gold trigger, and all the BLR's (pre-81's) on the auction sites had a gold trigger. Made me curious but still wanted it.
Sav

[pagris]

pagris
Do either of your 358's or any pre-81's for that matter have a black trigger? The one I'm getting doesn't have a gold trigger, and all the BLR's (pre-81's) on the auction sites had a gold trigger. Made me curious but still wanted it.
Sav

Savorino:  Yes, my 1978 .358 has a black trigger - all of the others have a gold trigger.  It would be interesting for you to determine the manufacture date of your BLR once you get it to see when it was made - you can do it here:

http://www.browning.com/services/dategun/index.asp

pagris

[Savorino]

pagris
Mine is an RT, so its a '76.
Can't wait to shoot it!
Sav

[whelen36]

mines a 1996 lightning BLR

[Rangr44]

I love my early .358, and with the change to the BLR-81, "It lost that loving feeling  ! " 

[Bigeasy]

The earliest BLR's were made in Belgium, and had oil finished stocks.  I have one in .308, and it, along with a pre-model 81 Japanese .358 are two of my favorite rifles.

Larry