Home Forums Lever Action Central Lever Actions - General Browning BLR, pre or post 81?

I have a Browning BLR barreled action, and I want to order some parts for it. The parts lists are split by pre-81 and post-81. This one has a steel receiver, and the barrel is marked as being a Japan build, but the serial number 03778K47 doesn't seem to align with the series I see listed. Any ideas or other sources to check?

What type magazine does it have? Is it kind of rounded and sticks out from the bottom of the reciever or is it basically rectangular and close to a flush fit? The rounded style is pre-81 the rectangular is post-81.

Damn! It came without a magazine :-(

Look at the flats on the sides of the action. If the sides are flat from front to rear, you have a post-81 action that takes the wider "relatively flush" magazine. If the sides are scalloped (dished) on each side, you have a pre-81 action requiring the slim protruding mag.

If it's a "pre '81" you're screwed. Tha magazines for those go from $200 to $300 depending on condition. When you can find them.

It's flat, except where it flares out wider in the front of the action.

Those dished sides would make that a pre-81 action taking the protruding (early) magazine.

Rats :-(

Tough one on the magazine, though you may find one around at a show. Did you need other parts? Seems I have some internal action parts set back.