Pistol calibre lever action - What's your preferred brand?

[vp6111]

Miroku is a manufacturing concern in Japan that produces classic Winchester designs for Winchester. The guns don’t say miroku anywhere in them, they are marked as winchesters and sold as such, just made in Japan instead of the USA.

It’s where current production 73’s, 94’s and 92’s are made, among others.

The modern Winchester fit and finish is arguably better than it has ever been.

I think there is a stamp on the barrel that says "Made by Miroku Japan". Same on the label on the factory box.

 

[vp6111]

Citadel isn't Turkish, its Brazilian just like Rossi. Very good chance they ARE Rossi's actually.



Miroku is where Winchesters are manufactured these days. Most (maybe all?) winchester guns are made outside the US and they just slap their name on it - their pump action shotguns and the new 22lr Lever action are Turkish, model 70s are coming out of Portugal, 94s from Japan (thats Miroku, they also make stuff for Browning), you get the idea.

Yes, Citadel is made by Rossi. It looks like Heritage levers are made in Brazil as well.

 

[vp6111]

So what's the reputation of various manufacturers of lever action pistol calibre rifles? Say .44Mag/.44Spl, or .357Mag/.38Spl

Also which are more up-gradable in terms of aftermarket accessories? I'd want to mount a red dot on one.

• Rossi?
• Chiappa?
• Henry?
• Marlin?
• Pendersoli?
• Another one?

I've seen some Turkish brands like Citadel and Derya, not a big fan of Turkish knock-offs but I'm open to having my mind changed. Also I can't afford a $3800US Big Horn Armory nor the .500S&W they shoot.

-Winchester Miroku
-Uberti is reputed to be excellent
-Marlin (JM)
-Marlin (Ruger) have good reviews
-Henry closely followed by Rossi
-Chiappa is hit and miss

You can fit after-market pic rails on anything. The only question is the location of the red-dot: top of the receiver on Marlin-type models or in front of the receiver on Winchester-type models.

 

[gunlaker]

Winchester (miroku)

 

[alpining]

...I'd want to mount a red dot on one....

I *think* the Rossis are all easy to mount optics on, drilled and tapped under the rear sight. Other options require using a mount that slots into the rear sight dovetail, which is inferior.

The Rossis are also a "pretty good" copy of the Winchester 1892.