Browning Model 81 BLR Short Action .243 Win. 20″ Scoped Lever Rifle, 1987
SOLD FOR: $1400
LSB#: 220113MZ004
Make: Made by Miroku for Browning
Model: 81 BLR Short Action
Serial Number: 09369PR227
Year of Manufacture: 1987 (PR Date Code)
Caliber: .243 Winchester
Action Type: Detachable Magazine Fed Lever Action Rifle
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY MORGAN, UTAH & MONTREAL P.Q. / MADE IN JAPAN”, the right is marked “MODEL 81 BLR LT WT CALIBER .243 ONLY / PATENT NO. 3377731”. The left side of the shank and the bottom of the receiver are marked “NP”. The right side of the receiver is marked with the serial number. The trigger guard is marked with a gold buck mark.
Barrel Length: 20”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass beaded blade dovetailed to a ramped riser that is fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a square-notch cylindrical fitting screw adjustable for windage and elevation in a base screwed to the rear of the barrel. The top of the receiver is equipped with a Niko Prostaff scope with 3-9x magnification and a duplex reticle, equipped via a Redfield one-piece rail and two rings. The scope shows faint wear with clear lenses and rates in about Fine-Excellent condition.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with banded forend, straight grip, straight comb, and solid black rubber, press checkered Browning buttpad. There is a cluster of scratches on the bottom of the forearm. There are a few light draglines throughout the buttstock with a more notable one on the right near the belly. The checkering is sharp. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13” & 13 7/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the wood and buttpad, respectively. The pad has become firm and shows scattered light discoloration. The stocks rate in about Fine overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright, and the rifling is sharp. There is stubborn fouling on the lands.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 98% of its current metal finish. There are a few light nicks and scratches on the sides of the receiver. There is a small patch on the bottom of the muzzle and on the bottom of the barrel midway. There are other light handling marks. There is faint operational wear. The pinheads are clean. The screwheads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Fine-Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a quarter-cock safety. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with one 4-round magazine and the previously mentioned scope.
Our Assessment: This Japanese made Browning BLR lever action rifle has a removable magazine, something you don’t see on most lever action rifles, and allows for the use of pointed ammo resulting in better ballistics. It is in Fine-Excellent condition. The lever throw on this rifle is very smooth due to its gear-style mechanism, so this should really be a fast handling rifle. What makes it even more interesting is that the trigger is mounted in the lever, not in the receiver, which is nice so there is no danger of smashing your trigger finger if you leave it in the trigger guard when working the action. The .243 Winchester is a popular sporting rifle cartridge. Developed as a versatile short action cartridge to hunt both medium game and small game alike, it “took whitetail hunting by storm” when introduced in 1955, and remains one of the most popular whitetail deer cartridges. Please see our photos and good luck!