Question for a friend- Browning BLR .243

bullsi1911

A buddy of mine is asking for details on value of a Browning BLR in .243. I know absolutely nothing about the BLR (other than I want a takedown version), but thought I would ask the hive mind. 

It is a blued BLR in .243, made in 1974. Outside of those details, what would I need to know to figure out a value?  

Gene L

Check on Gunbroker for prices.  I doubt any of us here can give you an accurate assessment.  Also depends on whether he wants a fast sell or a profit sale. 

Wambli Ska

Sorry, been meaning to answer you.  Not a rare gun and still in production in the "Lightweight" version.  Also limited market appeal because of the lever action, but lever action and classic gun lovers do seek them out so it should sell.  

There is a standard and Lightweight models and the standard has been discontinued.  New examples on GB run about $1200 or so but they are not really selling, older examples bring a premium only if made in the USA or Belgium, which based on the year of manufacture I'm assuming your buddy's rifle is neither.  Your friends rifle has a steel receiver which seems to also bring a slight premium and it being chambered in .243 will also add to the appeal because there are not many for sale right now.

In general the BLRs that I see getting bids on GB were started under $1,000 and seem to go into the $900s to low $1000s.  Listings with starting bids over $1,000 are not getting bids.  BTW on GB that seems to be a psychological boundary.  Most folks will not START bidding on guns that are over $1,000 for the most part until someone takes a plunge in the pool so they will go for cycle after cycle with a bunch of watchers and no bids.  If he lists for $899 on GB he should get some pretty good action on it and a fair return on his gun.  

This is all assuming the rifle is in 99% or better shape, too many good examples of mint or near mint out there for guns that show wear to bring much, but that is common with most firearms, except the the most rare guns.  If it shows wear on bluing/ metal or wood dings/scratches the value plunges to the $5-600 range SWIFTLY.

Good G&A article on the gun: https://www.gunsandammo.com/editorial/browning-blr-review/389589