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The Browning BLR Lightweight is an aluminum receiver version of the classic Browning BLR that dates back to the 1960s. In 1981, Browning released the steel receiver BLR ’81 models, and then in 1995, it brought the Model 81 Lightning BLR to market with an aluminum receiver.

BLR stands for Browning Lever-Action Rifle. As of 2020, Browning makes three BLR lightweight models. Two are variants of the BLR Lightweight with Pistol Grip, which has a glossy walnut forearm and a glossy walnut stock, and one is the straight stock BLR Lightweight ’81, which has a straight stock.

The two BLR Lightweight with Pistol Grip models feature a Schnabel forearm. In other words, it’s fronted by a quasi-knob that’s recessed at back and functions as a hand stop. Both forearm and the curved grip have 18 LPI diamond checkering enclosed in dovetail pennant surrounds. One model has a stainless steel barrel and a satin nickel finished receiver while the other has a blued barrel and black aluminum receiver.

The third model is the BLR Lightweight ’81, thus named after 1981, the year it was designed. It differs primarily in its use of a gloss walnut straight grip and a gloss walnut tapering forearm that lacks the Schnabel grip’s hand stop knob. It has a blued barrel and black aluminum receiver. It also has beautiful 18 LPI diamond checkering enclosed in dovetail pennant surrounds.

All three BLR Lightweight rifles feature detachable box black polymer magazines that protrude just a bit from the ventral surface. The magazines are offset fed and, depending on ammunition, tip the scales at 4.8 to 8.0 ounces.

Now here is what is astonishing. These three BLR Lightweights have 14 to 16 calibers that are grouped into 20” (overall length 40”), 22” (42” or 43”) and 24” (45”) length barrels. They are either 4+1 capacity for standard ammo or 3+1 for the magnum ammo.

The 20” barrels include .450 Marlin, .22-250 Rem, .222 Rem, .223 Rem, .243 Win, .308 Win, .358 Win and 7 mm-08 Rem. Next, the 22” barrels include .270 Win, .270 WSM, .30-06 Springfield, .300 WSM, .325 WSM and 7 mm WSM. Finally, the 24” barrels include the .300 Win Mag and 7mm Rem Mag.

Depending on barrel length, action length, materials, etc., weights run 6 pounds 8 ounces all the way up to 7 pounds 12 ounces.

The blued barrel BLR Lightweight with Pistol Grip has all these calibers except the .450 Marlin and the .222 Rem. The BLR Lightweight with Pistol Grip with the stainless-steel barrel has 15 calibers and is only missing the .222 Rem. The BLR Lightweight ’81 has all 16 calibers.

The BLR Lightweights have an ultra-smooth action lever thanks to the simplified rack and pinion system. Naturally, the entire trigger assembly moves with the lever to avoid pinching one’s fingers.

The aviation industry grade lightweight aluminum receiver is modern, has a side-ejection port and is drilled and tapped for scopes. Long serrations run the length of the top. The iron sights are low-profile types mounted atop the barrel. The front sight is a gold bead sight on a raised ramp while in back is a low-profile screw-adjustable rear sight.

The hammer has horizontal serrations and is a fold-down type with four positions (fired, folded, half-cock or full-cock) so one can look at the rifle to know its status.

The button-rifled barrels feature muzzle crowns. They are machined out of heat-treated chrome moly steel. At back is a thick recoil pad. The triggers are luxuriously and beautifully gold plated, wide and vertically grooved with a 4.5 pound pull pressure.

Browning BLR Lightweight lever-action rifles are Made in Japan.

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