--- title: "Stainless Browning BLR M81 Takedown" description: "I never did understand the wails of despair from the traditionalists when the first lever guns came out with stainless metal and laminate stocks. I love the classic look of walnut and blued steel on my lever guns as much as the next guy but to my eye the stainless/laminate combo is equally fitting." date: "2010-04-22" modified: "2021-04-20" authors: - name: "John B. Snow" job_title: "Shooting Editor" link: "https://www.outdoorlife.com/authors/john-b-snow.md" url: "https://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/gun-shots/2010/04/stainless-brown-blr-m81-takedown/" categories: - "Guns" - "Rifles" --- # Stainless Browning BLR M81 Takedown ![]() I never did understand the wails of despair from the traditionalists when the first lever guns came out with stainless metal and laminate stocks. I love the classic look of walnut and blued steel on my lever guns as much as the next guy but to my eye the stainless/laminate combo is equally fitting. Think about it--lever guns are working guns, meant to stand up to tough use and abuse and keep doing their job without complaint. When a dusty cowboy is ambushed by a gang of desperados he doesn't open up a felt lined case and assemble his gun like some English lord at his grouse peg in the heather. No, he yanks the rifle out of a beat up scabbard that is soaked through with horse sweat and he starts shooting. The extra ruggedness and durability of stainless and laminate are just what you'd want. Browning just announced that it is offering stainless and laminate versions of all its lever guns including the BLR Model 81 Takedown. These takedowns will come in a full spectrum of cartridges, from .223 Rem. to .325 WSM. Prices start at $1,149 for most calibers. The WSMs will cost about $80 more. Once I take delivery of one I'll post a review here after running it through the paces. ## Author John B. Snow is Shooting Editor of *Outdoor Life*, where he oversees the publication’s firearms and shooting coverage. This includes gear reviews, features on technical innovations, stories on shooting techniques and general hunting coverage with the occasional fishing story thrown into the mix. Originally from Seattle, he has lived all over the country, crisscrossing it by car and truck no fewer than 10 times as he’s moved from one location to the next. Since 2010 he has lived in Bozeman, Montana where he currently resides with his bird dog, Roo. ### Author social links [LinkedIn]() [Instagram]()