I recently acquired a Browning BLR (pre-81) in .358 and am having a hard time finding an extra magazine for it. Has anyone, personally, tried an '81 BLR magazine in a Pre-81 Rifle? (The '81's are rather common and easy to find.) Thanks.

Don't think they will fit. I also have a BLR (pre '81) and would love to have an extra mag. They may fit now, but in the early 90's I had a friend that had an '81 in .308 with the flat bottom mag and it didn't fit. I may not have been holding my mouth right though. :D Have you asked Browning?

Check on www.gunbroker.com or www.auctionarms.com , I have usually seen mags at auction. Another place you might try is http://gotmags.com no www in address.
Good luck.
Ranger

I'm in the market for one too for a pre81. This vintage needs the 'hang down' style mag. (It isn't flush with the reciever).

In case you haven't found out yet Hawkeye', the .243, .308 and .358 all use the same magazine so that should help the cause. I've seen them for sale out here in the $70 range, I'm still holding out to try to find my spare for a little less.

Thanks for all your suggestions. I've tried the rest, but have not talked to Browning. Will probably do that next week. One site I found listed them for $35, but when I called it turned out to be '81.

One thing I did consider is buying another BLR, say in .243, that way I'd have an extra magazine, as I rarely carry two rifles at the same time. :D Would that be called a reason to buy, or an excuse to buy? :D

Keep a look out on eBay. They sell for $40-$50. I've bought 2 on eBay for my pre-81 BLR in .358.

One thing I did consider is buying another BLR, say in .243, that way I'd have an extra magazine, as I rarely carry two rifles at the same time. :D Would that be called a reason to buy, or an excuse to buy? :D

Hey, I like that logic.