Japanese Winchesters any good??

[diemaco]

So now you are blaming the workers? That's like blaming the Soldiers cause the General lost the war...

I'm not blaming anyone. Just saying that most toyotas we see aren't really a japanese product anymore.

To keep to topic of the thread - All the Miroku guns I've owned and looked at have been atleast as good as their north american equivalents.

 

[blasted_saber]

I have been checking out the Winchesters that have been going through the gun shop over the last year and have to say that they are very impressive. The bluing, fit and finish and the wood have all been very good.

To the guy whining about Toyota cars. Toyota doesn't make guns. Apples and oranges.

I think China's poor reputation for quality rubs off on the Japanese sometimes.

Exactly. People need to learn how to differentiate countries.

 

[Win 38-55]

I just took a look at my Browning/Miroku Model 1886 SRC 45-70 to see if I could find something to complain about. It is perfect. The wood to metal fit could not be more perfect; it is flawless. The action cycles with Swiss-like precision and locks up perfectly. Most of my old Winchesters are originals and they were good, but this Browning/Miroku levergun is equal in everything except strength of steel, in which case it is stronger.

 

[Kevan]

I just took a look at my Browning/Miroku Model 1886 SRC 45-70 to see if I could find something to complain about. It is perfect. The wood to metal fit could not be more perfect; it is flawless. The action cycles with Swiss-like precision and locks up perfectly. Most of my old Winchesters are originals and they were good, but this Browning/Miroku levergun is equal in everything except strength of steel, in which case it is stronger.

Exactly and I'm certain if yours is anything like mine for accuracy it will shoot exceptionally well with virtually any load be it cast or jacketed bullet.

Several years ago when they first came out I bought one of the first 45-70 BPCR Brownings to land in a local gun shop.
That rifle using Black Powder only has proven to be amazingly accurate with any cast bullet from 330 to 600 gr.
After thousands of rounds of shooting competitions it will easily hold its own against any and all American made single shots, Shiloh, Ballard, etc.
That is providing I do my part and I have the hardware to prove it.
As for fit and quality of workmanship it is fully the equal of my Shiloh Sharps.
For my part I'll take a Miroku made rifle anytime...

 

[Slooshark1]

I have a Browning 1886 SRC and one of the new 1886 short rifles and I absolutely love them.

 

[bogie]

I have both the 1885 and 1885 made by Miroku. Beautifully fitted and finished as well as particularly accurate. Whats not to like? Jap manufacturing is nothing to sneer at and their steel is of excellent quality. I like it when obsessive people make stuff for me. No worry about proof loads either.

 

[cableguy]

was looking to buy a new lever gun and read some articals about how they were made in japan kinda a turn off.

Not too sure what articles you're referring to but here's my summary of a recent purchase.

This one is hard to obtain...Winchester 1892 Trapper Takedown .357.

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=679360

 

[Grouse Man]

Capitalism at it's worst

What you are describing has nothing to do with Capitalism.

 

[G P]

Citori's are made in Japan, what else do you need to know?

 

[phatman]

What you are describing has nothing to do with Capitalism.

OK I'll bite - what am I describing?

 

[Silveragent]

Which vendor here sells these? I was a big western fan growing up.

 

[woodlotowner]

I am of the generation that experienced Christmas Day let down with cheap crap made in Japan that broke on the first day...or first use. My Miroku Browning BLR, however, is not a rifle I will ever be parting with. It is a swiss watch of lever guns. Times have changed. The cheap ####e Japan used to enter the world markets, and gain market share, after the second war have morphed into products that are now the envy of many nations in many endeavours IMHO. I sure would like a new Miroku 94 trapper take-down in .357.

 

[klaus enuff]

I think Reliable might be able to help you out, I could have sworn I saw one in their rack the last time I was in there.

Which vendor here sells these? I was a big western fan growing up.

 

[tacfoley]

I have five live-steam locomotives made in China [totalling way over $20,000] , so not everything that comes from there is crap.

I also have a older Browning/Miroku-built High Wall in 30-06 that is still, after fifteen years or so, putting my handloads into around an inch or less with open sights, and hovering around the 3/4" with the Malcolm scope on it. It is one of the most beautiful guns I've ever laid my eyeballs on.

tac

 

[Claybuster]

Miroku makes pretty good guns. I've owned a Browning Low Wall and a Winchester Model 12 made by them and both were attractive well-made firearms. If I were in the market for a lever action I'd buy a Miroku without hesitation particularly after briefly owning a shoddy Marlin 1894C.

 

[jimmy bobby]

i looked every where for a 1892 trapper in .357 almost bought one today but it was gone before i could make a move

 

[jimmy bobby]

btw tacfoley thanks for the pm, sad it was to late

 

[canadaman30]

Can't say much about made in America..........Remlin.
Japan produces alot of quality products, that last long time.

 

[wlaker]

Quality of Japanese Levers

was looking to buy a new lever gun and read some articals about how they were made in japan kinda a turn off.

You have nothing to worry about the Japanese guns as long as the manufacturer is Miroku. They make several Marlin models and their own line of shotguns are some of the most respected and sought after firearms by Skeet Professionals especially in Europe.
I have 2 of the new 1894 levers in 30:30 calibre released by Browning after their re-introduction of Winchester firearms in 2010, a High Grade and a Custom, absolutely beauties that Commemorate the 200th birthday of Oliver Winchester. Only 500 Customs released worlwide and the High Grade also had a limited production. These are not in any way built like the cheap Commemoratives that Winchester released pre-2010 but extremely high grade firearms. I agree with Prophet River that these are the best levers built in years.

 

[Pionier]

I agree that materials and workmanship are excellent when compared to competitors and other Winnies. I printed 1 3/4" from the sitting at 100yd over the Christmas holidays with my new (thanks Santa Claus!) Model 1886 Short Rifle. They're plenty accurate.

A lot of traditionalists have kittens over the tang safety (looks better than the Marlin crossbolt IMO!) and the stamping. That's fair game. I wonder why they didn't hide the "made in Japan" marks under the woodwork and go with the old-school markings?

Here's a real-time issue with the Miroku design I experienced first-hand:
The rebounding hammer, coupled with the inertial firing pin, caused light primer strikes and potential for misfire. I had a 10% fail to fire on Hornady factory LeverRevolution .45-70. This, and a sore shoulder, led me to buy the dies for this calibre to see if I can remedy.

There's plenty written in US forums about the safeties and the light-strike problem and they refer to a Rifle Magazine article (Nov 2003) by David Scovill on how to remove tang safeties and disable the rebound.

I can't find an electronic copy of his article - has any member done the modification to remove rebound by shortening the lower "tongue" of the hammer strut? I'm keeping the safety and the stock hammer as-is.