FS Browning BLR 81 in .308

[pgstillhunter]

FS Browning BLR Short Action in .308 cal. Made by Miroku (Japan) in 1977. Steel receiver, rotary bolt locking lugs, 20" bbl., 4-shot detachable mag., adj. rear sight, checkered straight grip stock, recoil pad. Comes with Weaver 2.5-7X scope (steel tube), the original Browning sling, and the owner's manual. I bought it 4 years ago from first owner, who had stored it for 25 years. Minor blemishes on right side of receiver and lower right of the stock, but otherwise very good. Some paint has flaked off the barrel band. Pics. available upon request - give me an e-mail address. Asking $700 incl. S&H obo. SPF.

[Cariboo]

FYI:

If this is a '77 Made in Japan BLR it is not a Model 81. These original models with the drop-down mag were just called the BLR. Some people today also refer to them today as the Pre-81 BLR

[bc_philthy]

Hey 'Boo,

While we're learnin' here, I've got the same thing (straight stock, drop down mag) but made in Belgium. Any idea of year or how it's value compares?

Cheers

Philthy

[One Shot]

Originally Posted by bc_philthy

Hey 'Boo,

While we're learnin' here, I've got the same thing (straight stock, drop down mag) but made in Belgium. Any idea of year or how it's value compares?

Cheers

Philthy

Belgium BLRs are more usually more sought after than the Japanese made ones.

[Cariboo]

I have owned both Japan and Belgium built BLRs and noticed no difference in quality between them. The Belgium rifles were only made for a few years until production was moved to Japan to cut costs. I have never noticed any difference in value based on where they were built. Some people prefer these original all-steel rifles over the newer aluminum receiver models.

For what it is worth I personally like these early models better than the current production rifles.

[Doug]

In southeastern Ontario a Belgian BLR generally fetches a premium of fifty to a hundred bucks. I agree with 'Boo that there is no noticeable difference in quality, accuracy, etc, but some folks want to buy guns made in Belgium, not made in Japan.

Sorry for the hijack but I see that I am not the first.......

Doug

[pgstillhunter]

Gentlemen:
I refer you to page 391 of S.P. Fjestad's Blue Book of Gun Values, Twenty-ninth Edition, wherein he refers to the Model BLR 81 Japan, manufactured by Miroku from 1974 to 1980. As a matter of fact, all the BLRs in his book, regardless of place of manufacture, are designated as "81s", except for the New Model Lightning BLRs, both Short and Long Action, manufactured by Miroku from 1995 to 2002. These do not have barrel bands but do have aluminium alloy receivers. The 81s are described as having a barrel band and a steel receiver.

[Doug]

back to pgstillhunter...........

Not sure what edition you are reading but in my edition the models, in chronological order are:

Model BLR USA

Model BLR Belgian

Model BLR Japan (this is your gun)

Model BLR 81 short action (Miroku production 1981-95)

Model BLR 81 Long Action (Miroku production 1991-95)

New Model Lightning BLR

etc

It doesn't really matter of course, yours is one of the best BLRs ever made and is a hell of a good rifle. But if it has the hang-down mag and was made in 1977 it is not a Model 81, which was only produced starting in 1981. (Get it, model 81 after 1981 )

Hope this ends any confusion............

Doug

[kutenay]

That IS correct and having owned many Browning guns, have several now, I would say that any difference in quality in them is in FAVOUR of the Japanese-made ones.

The Citori, especially the Type III, IS a superior gun to the Belgian Superposed, the various repro Winchester models by Miroku ARE better fitted and finsihed than originals and the various Jap.-built Browning bolt rifles are all junk, especially compared to the Belg. Brownings, made from '57 to about '65, when they began to decline in quality..."salt Brownings?"

The BLR81 is a good rifle, my 35 yr. old Belg. .308W beater STILL shoots sub-MOA with Nossies and I have never found it difficult to pack due to the mag., as some seem to....IF, you believe the American gun writers.........

[pgstillhunter]

Doug:
The Blue Book I have is the 2008 edition, Volume 29 or whatever. Fjestad seems to have generalized all BLRs as Model 81s with the exception of the two I mentioned in an earlier message, but your point about the Model number reflecting changes implemented in 1981 makes sense. So - I have for sale one Browning BLR Short Action .308 etc. etc.
KB

[pgstillhunter]

Btt, please.

[pgstillhunter]

Btt, please.

[pgstillhunter]

Btt, please.