Trying To Price Out a Pre 81 Browning BLR Non Stainless in .308...

[Tomhirton]

I have a chance to pick up a pre 81 Browning BLR in .308. Mechanically it's in great shape and has scope mounts. Some of the bluing is gone but I prefer my guns to look a little warn. Just trying to figure out a price. Search doesn't bring up anything other than stainless. This iteration was made in Japan. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks for the help!

 

[joey.45]

No pre 81 Blrs were stainless. I would look for a post 81. The magazines for the gun pre 81 model are almost impossible to find , if you locate one it will be over $250. The belly mags of the pre 81 make one handed carry awkward. Pay a little more and get an all steel early 81 imho.

 

[hoytcanon]

I disagree with the above... the mid to late 70's hang mag BLR's are excellent rifles, the rounded mags do not make them awkward to carry. The reason the mags are always worn, is that they are at the balance point of the rifle and that is where they are usually gripped as you make your way in the field. Pre-81's have held their value, for a .308 in excellent condition, you can expect to pay $600, for a .243 expect $700+ and for a .358 expect $900+. As mentioned above, the magazines go for $250+, so don't lose your mag.

 

[cody c]

There is enough of them in the EE, I would try searching there and see what the range is... And then remember that is asking price not sale price.

 

[Tomhirton]

Thanks for the help. I tried a bunch of different search combinations in EE and came up with stainless only. I'll try to search again.

 

[kamlooky]

Pre 81 mags do show up.
Here's a current example.
While not a great price, not bad either.
I'd find the newer earlier version myself due to the fact mags are worth
dang'ne'er half the rifle value.
I sure wouldn't pay more than $700 for any of the BLR offerings.
I'm surprised these are still for sale.

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1977315-Pre-81-BLR-Mags

 

[cooey43]

I have a chance to pick up a pre 81 Browning BLR in .308. Mechanically it's in great shape and has scope mounts. Some of the bluing is gone but I prefer my guns to look a little warn. Just trying to figure out a price. Search doesn't bring up anything other than stainless. This iteration was made in Japan. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks for the help!

I have had ( and hunted with) a BLR Pre 81 in .243 since about mid 1970's . I think it is the best overall deer rifle . I know mags. are
expensive . Luckily I stocked up before that happened.
I friend wanted the same thing , so I watched the EE for a year . The cheapest one I found was $ 900 . And no spare mag. !!
He has it & loves it to . If you are NOT " attached " to getting the Pre 81 , then for sure get the Post 81 .