Anyone own a blr 81 long action?

triton

triton

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Was wondering if anyone has or has had one of these? You don't seem to see many of the ever for sale in EE forum. I was just wondering if anyone has one and loves it so much they won't sell it. Are they looked down upon and no one buys them new at all? I was thinking on getting one in the future and was wondering what you guys think? Thanks.

Dave.
 
Got one of the all steel ones in 30.06.I like it other than it has a odd balance to it when brought to shoulder(front heavy).Takes a little getting used to.
 
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Blr

I have one I bought new 10 years ago, beautiful gun so much so I have never hunted with it. Have worked up loads, etc but when I go to the bush I usually take one of my larger bores (BLR is a .30-06). Presently have someone wanting to buy it. Think I might sell it as long as it goes to a good home.
 
My 2 cents:

I like the short action BLRs.

The beauty of this gun is that is an easy pointing, light hunter. So I think long actions are taking away from ther guns strength.
 
Back to Supercub...........maybe too low for you, but the BLR 81 fits me like a glove, and I always scope them. But for example the new Marlin 336s defy me completely, I cannot get a sight picture on them without talking my head off the comb.

Back to triton...........I find the long action BLRs "clunky." Here is a test I would suggest: if a Winchester pump action shotgun fits you, the BLR long action will be fine for you. If you find that the Winchester feels like the fore-stock is too far ahead, chances are you will find the long BLRs off-kilter as well. I have NOT had a new long-action BLR with pistol grip in my hands yet, and that stock might change the balance for my hold, I do not know.

Doug
 
I own a Browning Blr in a 270 Win. I have owned it for 10 years. I bought it new and would never sell it. The only thing I don't like is it's hard to pull back the hammer without making a click. I have practiced doing it in the comfort of my warm house and I am usually successful. It is a totally different story when your hands are cold. It is not to bad when the deer are 200 yards away, but usually they come out at 50 yards from my stand and they hear the click. Any suggestions?
 
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I've shot a BLR in 7mm Rem Mag, didn't care for it. This was the all steel action, not the Lightning version as Doug was mentioning. I just found it too ....long. Don't get me wrong, the thing shot excellent groups, I just found it unbalanced for me.
Yoodle Dog- Have you thought about using the hammer safety?
 
gunrunner100 said:
I've shot a BLR in 7mm Rem Mag, didn't care for it. This was the all steel action, not the Lightning version as Doug was mentioning. I just found it too ....long. Don't get me wrong, the thing shot excellent groups, I just found it unbalanced for me.
Yoodle Dog- Have you thought about using the hammer safety?
Click to expand...
How does the hammer safety work?
 
The hammer is in 2 sections, when pulled back to fire, you should be able to push the top part of the hammer forward so that it rests underneath the firing pin and back end of the bolt.
 
If I am not mistaken it has a two stage hammer. If I pull the hammer back one click I can push the hammer forward to the firing pin. In this position it will not fire. I have to pull the hammer away from the firing pin and all the way back for a second click. I this position you can fire the gun. Can you push the hammer forward at this position and have the gun unable to fire? I really appriciate any input on this matter! Thanks for the help!
 
You're right on the 2 click positioning. I can't recall if the hammer will go forward in the rearmost (locked and loaded) position. Give it a try and let us know. I don't have a BLR to try it on.
 
The trick is to pull the hammer back from half cocked about 2/3rd's of the way and then pull the trigger without releasing the hammer. Continue to pull the hammer back after releasing the trigger and it will not "click". Try it. The biggest problem is if you pull the trigger first when pulling back from half cocked - that's where you get the "click"...
 
Well, I was just kind of watching this one but think I need to jump in here.

There are the old BLRs (originals amd model 81s) that have a standard hammer like a Winchester or Marlin. Pull it back to half #### and it is "On safe." Pull it back all the way and it is cocked and ready to go. If the hammer is against the firing pin, a jolt can fire the cartridge, and this is inherently UNSAFE. Once the rifle has a round chambered, it should be put at half-####.

The new Model "Lightning" have a fold down hammer. It has been a while since I had one of these in my hands and I do not recall how that worked. It sounds like this is what gunrunner 100 is talking about. In my mind's eye it is correct that you pull it back to half-####, then push it forward against the back of the firing pin, but it will NOT fire. This is a good thing, as the half-#### on the older style rifles allows pine needles, dirt, ice, etc to get into the action. In fact I lost a deer one time because snow had fallen into my rifle between the hammer and the FP, and froze around the back of the FP, so even when I pulled the trigger the hammer did not move the FP, it was frozen there!!! That deer did not hear a "click" it heard a "WTF IS WRONG WITH THIS F***ING GUN????"

Monty, I understand what you are saying, but no not agree that it is a good idea. Getting ready to shoot an animal is not the time to be fiddling around and pulling the trigger before a shot, in my view.

And finally, in all the deer I have shot with my BLR, I never had one spook when I pulled back the hammer, because I only pull it back immediately before I fire. They might hear a BOOM but they don't hear a click......

Free advice, worth what you paid for it.....

Doug
 
My main go to gun is my BLR lightning in .308

I've never had a problem with the "click". I try to pull the hammer back when I'm ready to shoot and the animal is in position(field shots) so if the animal does hear it, it stops long enough to hear a bang.

I did however have a buck hear my hammer click on my old 336 just before I sent a 150 grain roundnose into his chest years ago on Cape Breton Island. He was 35 yds away.

It must have been a loud click because he was full rut with his nose to the ground plowing up snow:D

Wouldn't put too much thought into the "click" Deer and moose are no smarter now than when Buffalo Bill shot animals with his lever .32 special.:D
 
Nothing wrong with the long action BLR's, though I would be lying if I didn't say the short action handles better. I would like to have one in 25-06, and will likely rebarrel my 81 in 30-06 to get it.
 
Doug said:
...
Monty, I understand what you are saying, but no not agree that it is a good idea. Getting ready to shoot an animal is not the time to be fiddling around and pulling the trigger before a shot, in my view.

And finally, in all the deer I have shot with my BLR, I never had one spook when I pulled back the hammer, because I only pull it back immediately before I fire. They might hear a BOOM but they don't hear a click......

Free advice, worth what you paid for it.....

Doug
Click to expand...

Interesting, Doug, and I see your point to a point) , but even with all your years of experience (which I respect, greatly) I still have to question why you would suggest it's a bad idea to be able to pull the hammer back quietly...? A deer will most certainly hear a "click" and might very well be spooked but will not hear a "BOOM" if you're shooting a supersonic load, right? ;)
 
back to Monty........

It's not the "quiet" that I am not liking, it is pulling the hammer back and then letting it down with the trigger depressed.........

I reckon the deer hears "boom" unless the bullet kills it instantaneously. But like I said, I never had one spook when I cocked the hammer. I don't #### the hammer until my rifle is shouldered and I am about to shoot, so even if a deer DID spook, he can't outrun a speeding bullet.

BIG difference when I am bow-hunting, any noise is my enemy. Deer CAN outflank a speeding arrow or bolt, and when I shot a PSE Foxfire (slower bow) I had this happen to me.

Doug
 
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