Miroku guns good?
- Thread starter 41 Colt
- Start date
- Location
- Juan de Fuca subduction zone Yiiikes
Yes and no, however the lever actioned 86, 71 etc have the relatively new tang safety that really blows, as well as the rebounding hammer
Another example of the American gun companies caving in to the lawyers
Another example of the American gun companies caving in to the lawyers
The Miroku rifles are excellent in quality, function, materials you name it.
Some people 'sniff' about the modifications made to the original design; that is, the half-#### safety is replaced by a tang safety and the rifles have a 'rebounding' hammer; that applies to the Models 1895, 1886 and 1871 reproductions.
If you have handled any of these Mirokus you would know that it is a non-issue. Those 2 simple changes do not affect the guns functioning in any way.
I can say that with certainty, as I own 3 of those most excellent Miroku rifles. I have M-1895's in .270Win, .30-06 and .405Win.
In 6 days I am heading off on a black bear hunt and I will be packing the .405Win. I'm tossing around the notion of taking the .30-06 as my back-up gun for long range shots, like 100-150 yards. I generally like to be 25 yards or so (closer the better).
Here's the .30-06 with a bull moose I shot in 2009, at 150 yards.
So any BS that you hear about those rifles tang safetys and rebounding hammers is just that... bulls**t...
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I recently purchased a model 1885 Highwall Davidson Special in 45/70. Every time I take it out theres a buzz. Everybody wants to hold it and if they behave I might let them shoot it. I have been told by several people that have a long history with firearms that Miroku makes some of the finest barrels and their guns are right up there for quality. Apparently they still make the highwall for Browning too. FYI the parts from my Highwall will fit the first series of Highwall that Browning started with well over 100 yrs ago. Buy it and dont worry about quality. You could do a lot worse. They are also known for their accuracy. Then again its Japanese....
- Location
- Juan de Fuca subduction zone Yiiikes
Whoa, big fella, don't get your panties in a knot. All I'm saying is the tang safety and rebounding is Bulls**t, there is no need for it PERIOD. The gun companies caved to the lawyers. The quality of the manufacturer is not in question, they make nice s**t. Your 85 is a testament. Yes I tried the lawyer proof version, I'll pass. Here is my Browning/Miruko made in the land of the setting sun
Look, no BS safety
contaucreek
CGN Regular
- Location
- Methropolitan Haliburton Ont
The action on my Browning Miroku 71 is way smoother than my original 1937 Winchester 71. Modern steel and modern computerized machine tools ensure excellent fit, alignment and operation. They aren't the highly coveted collectable originals of the past but in my opinion newer is better. What is the status of Miroku production post earthquake ?
I think it's safe to say that Remington has disproven that statement! Look at the disaster they have made of the Marlin levers, since they took over production!
No, the Miroku guns have an extra component, that is pride of worksmanship, Japanese quality etc...
I believe the Miroku reproduction M-1895, is the best lever gun ever produced. I am biased.
Takujualuk
CGN Regular
- Location
- Whitehorse, Yukon
My 1895 in 405 is as well built as any rifle I have ever owned! It also shoots very well.
Here's my Browing/Miroku 1886 carbine in 45-70. It is an outstanding gun. The early Browning reproductions stuck with the original half #### hammer and no safety. First year out with it, I took a nice 300 pound Whitetail buck with it in Southwest Manitoba. The buck was running and that 350 grain Hornady JRN at 1,800 fps anchored it on the spot.
And here is a hunting photo (Northern Ontario) of a Winchester/Miroku 1886 extra light 45-70 that I once had. This one had the rebounding hammer and tang safety, although I never used the safety and treated the rebounding hammer as being in the half #### position. It was a first class rifle as well. I took two nice Whitetails with it before I sold it to get the $$ for a hundred year old Winchester.
And here is a hunting photo (Northern Ontario) of a Winchester/Miroku 1886 extra light 45-70 that I once had. This one had the rebounding hammer and tang safety, although I never used the safety and treated the rebounding hammer as being in the half #### position. It was a first class rifle as well. I took two nice Whitetails with it before I sold it to get the $$ for a hundred year old Winchester.
^ Excellent point about treating the rebounding hammer as a sort of half-#### safety. When the hammer, on these rebounding hammer guns, is lowered forward, it cannot strike the firing pin, plus you have the extra 'safety' of the tang safety. That's exactly how I carry my rifle, in the field; hammer lowered forward and tang safety engaged, one in the pipe...
You can certainly argue that modifying the rifles original design was un-necessary, but you could make a pretty strong argument that they actually did improve the safety and functionality, by making the mods that they did.
Bottomline is, whether you can get the Browning version sans tang safety or the Winchester branded version, with it, these are excellent, well-built rifles.
If you are adamantly against the tang safety, there are gunsmiths that can do a conversion, that removes the tang safety, restores the half-#### hammer position.
You can certainly argue that modifying the rifles original design was un-necessary, but you could make a pretty strong argument that they actually did improve the safety and functionality, by making the mods that they did.
Bottomline is, whether you can get the Browning version sans tang safety or the Winchester branded version, with it, these are excellent, well-built rifles.
If you are adamantly against the tang safety, there are gunsmiths that can do a conversion, that removes the tang safety, restores the half-#### hammer position.
just my $.02 - they made excellent shotguns for Browning for years. I would expect their quality to be the same for Winchesters, certainly better than when made in the USA these past 20 years. I believe some Winchesters are now also being made by FN (Model 70s).
A friend of mine just got his new Miroku Model 1886 45-70. The wood to metal fit is outstanding, the wood itself has nice colour and grain and the metal is finished nicely. We have yet to shoot it but it is smooth functioning and I am very impressed. I would have one too, but after seeing his I am waiting in line for the new Model 71s, when they arrive. As far as the tang safety and rebounding hammer goes, the purist in me disapproves. But, if you are going to have a safety, it might as well be "safe". The tang safety and rebounding hammer certainly accomplishes that. A half #### can, so I am told, be nocked out of half #### with a hard blow. For that reason I don't carry my old Winchester's loaded and in half ####. In a situation where I want a round in the chamber, like when a grizzly is holding up the horse trail or an elk is coming into a bugle, you can load a round and with a quick flick of the thumb on your tang safety you are ready to shoot. It is actually a handy and safe system.
