The Browning BLR Lightweight '81 is a lever-action rifle chambered in .270 Win with a 22-inch barrel and 43-inch overall length. It weighs 7.40 lbs and feeds from a 4+1 round detachable magazine. The receiver and barrel are polished blue steel, and the stock is fixed black walnut with a gloss oil finish. 
 

Key Specifications 

• Caliber: .270 Win 
• Action: Lever Action 
• Barrel Length: 22 inches 
• Capacity: 4+1 rounds 
• Weight: 7.40 lbs 
• Overall Length: 43 inches 
• Safety Type: Hammer 
   

Detailed Features 

The detachable box magazine is one of the BLR's notable departures from traditional lever-gun tube-feeding -- it allows the use of pointed (spitzer) bullets that would be unsafe in a tube magazine. The trigger is gold-plated and has a smooth pull. Sights are adjustable, and the receiver is drilled and tapped for scope mounting. The walnut stock and polished blue finish give it a clean, traditional look.

The BLR '81 in .270 Win gets consistent praise for its smooth lever action and the fact that it handles .270 Win -- a cartridge usually associated with bolt guns. The detachable magazine is well-regarded for faster reloading, though some lever-action traditionalists prefer tube-fed designs. At 7.40 lbs it's heavier than the stainless variants, which comes up occasionally in longer-carry discussions.

Accuracy with .270 Win is generally reported as solid, and owners who use it for deer hunting seem satisfied with its performance. Price tends to come up as a consideration -- it sits above entry-level lever guns -- but most owners feel the build quality supports it.