Think im about 13 months late in responding to this topic. Got an blr 81 in a 223(kinda rare) Has about 2500 rounds shot through it without a glitch and is a tack driver. Also have one of the newer blr lightnings in a 308 with about 500 round shot through it. Shoots 1 1/2 inch groups at 100 yds. The lightning is lighter and I have a personal prefrence to the grip. It has performed flawlessly but when the aluminum reciever gets a little warm the lever strokes a little harder. Both guns are very smooth. If I could find a lightning in a 223(made for only 2 yrs) I would buy it.