Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Bluing a Browning BLR

Does anyone know of a gunsmith that is not scared of the BLR and can re-blue the action and barrel?

Have you contacted Browning ? Glenrock Blue in Wyoming might be an option as well with a BLR

What's to be scared of? When I worked in the Browning Arms Co. gunsmithing shop I reblued hundreds of them. Nothing different about them than any other BACO firearm, you must have heard some old wives tale. The reason I would suspect is that some so called "smiths" don't know how to re-assemble a BLR properly, the rack and pinion have to be timed properly in order for the rifle to function correctly.

I'll check Glenrock again but I was told they want disassembled actions of BLR's and I don't feel comfortable with disassembly and re-assembly of the BLR.
I can disassemble Winchester lever actions rifles and Marlin's,Henrys but since there are no videos I can find I won't try it.
Gunwizard I wish I knew what you know buddy.I bet the first one was a bugger but it sounds like you are either a gunsmith or close to it.
I can do a lot of a gun repairs but this is beyond me.
One person I asked said don't bother Browning as they were refused factory Bluing his at this time.
Someone's kid took it upon himself to try to hold my rifle while sitting on a concrete shooting table and he dropped it hitting the table side and then the ground.I was shooting another rifle and heard it drop.
I have never seen anyone clear out so fast.Dad and kids were gone before I got to take a good look at the rifle.
Thanks guys,I will contact Glenrock and Browning.

Hey Gunwizard one person told me he had a local gunsmith disassemble and blue his and it came back as the best blue job ever but it would not shoot.
He missed a cog or two and the bolt end would not rotate into the lugs.The gunsmith tried many times and finally got it right and swore NEVER AGAIN!
How many have you done?
On a scale from 1-10 how hard was it?
Can you mark the pinions so as to put it back in the same way?

I've wondered the same for a long time. I haven't cracked mine open to have a look though.

DBC I have thought of that but can't get a clear view of all places to mark.
Midwest Gunworks will work on it but man they are expensive.It will have to wait until next year and most likely I'll send it to them or someone else then.
Too many health problems right now but hopefully soon I'll be better.
Its an 87 BLR 358 win with metal receiver so its worth it and I have a few guns in my safe so I'll use a 300 win mag for elk/deer season this year.
Thanks Guys

I am a graduate of the gunsmithing program at Trinidad State College and earned my Journeyman Gunsmith certification at Browning. During my tenure at Browning I worked on 100's of BLR's, there is a trick to reassembling them but it has been 36 yrs. since I worked at Browning and I have forgotten the re-assembly technique. Sometimes it took a few tries even for an experienced 'smith to get the timing right, they were not one of my favorite rifles to work on.

I have a 1980 made 308. Never had it apart. Don't plan to either. Looks like a Rolex fked a bank vault in there.

I agree Ringworm,kinda scary.
Gunwizard I envy you bud.I wanted to go to gunsmithing school but chose another vocation and now that I'm old I spend a lot of time wishing.

Have a great day guys.

I did some cold bluing with Blue Wonder and while you can spot blue some guns the Browning would not take it so I removed all the blue on the right side and polished the heck out of it and got it super smooth and Wonder Blued it.It looks pretty good and will wait until the spring of next year to send it to Midwest Gunsmithing.
Thanks guys