Kind of thinking of one of these for next or future purchase and would like to hear some feedback from anyone who owns one. I know that the Miroku build quality is good (I have a M92), and I know that they're not inexpensive. Not sure if I would go with a scope or a tang sight, and I haven't decided on .22LR or .22 Mag. I am basically looking for something different (I have a 94/22, CZ 455 FS, BA22, Brno 2E) and 'fun' to add to my collection, and would like to know what first hand user's thoughts are on them - good, bad, or anything in between. Thanks.
Winchester M1885 Hunter rimfire - anyone own one in .22 LR or .22Mag.?
- Thread starter CXBike
- Start date
I'm a big fan of Miroku built rifles and falling blocks and have 2 of the low wall's in .22lr. My main interest is in the .22's.
The current guns have a pistol grip and octagon barrel with a heavy taper (therefore, light) and no top tang. On this variant I found it challenging to use the factory open sights because the stock comb is too high. Not being able to mount a tang sight, a couple options for peep sights include the Williams FP-1885 and Skinner's peep sight (either the lo-pro or 1885 one). With these you'd need a much higher front sight - I have the .650" high blade from Skinner's and it's not tall enough with the Williams peep - I will have to go to .750" or stick to shooting CCI Quiet's at 50 yards. The additional height also helps with the comb height issue on the stock. Scoping these with a Talley base / rings looks..... awkward to me lol. I haven't done much shooting with scopes on these.
Another variant in .22 you might find is one with a heavy 1/2 octagon and 1/2 round barrel and unmolested top tang. They were available in grade 1 or high grade (both no longer made). The barrels are heavier on these and they're a joy to shoot offhand with a tang sight. This batch had extractors only (vs ejectors for the one in the paragraph above).
I have no complaints about the accuracy of both of my rifles. That said I enjoy shooting off-hand and do so the vast majority of the time, so unfortunately I don't have any meaningful reports of group sizes. I don't notice any lack of accuracy compared to my CZ or Anschutz shooting in this manner however... if I do my part the bullets go where they should, and I can call my shots. I remember some threads on rimfire central discussing accuracy on the older heavy barreled .22 guns, specifically that accuracy can be hit or miss... but I don't remember much more than that and don't want to go into 3rd/4th/5th hand info lol.
There were other variants made... one with case coloured receiver with tang's and octagon barrels only in .17 HMR and HM2... perhaps some high grade specials... as well as a batch of Browning branded rifles in .357 / .44mag / .45 Colt.
The action is not the same as the original 1885 low walls - word is that disassembly and (mainly) re-assembly can be challenging. I've not taken mine apart, nor do I have an original... but if originality is of interest, then these might not be what you want.
Other low wall options I've come across are Uberti reproductions and custom guns (lots of $$$) from C. Sharps or other small makers in the U.S.
To sum it up, I love them, but I don't like the current configuration and wish they'd go back to having tang's. I may have the wrist on my newer one milled and a tang sight installed into the wood at some point... On the plus side I don't miss the crescent buttplate either
Hope all that helps!
The current guns have a pistol grip and octagon barrel with a heavy taper (therefore, light) and no top tang. On this variant I found it challenging to use the factory open sights because the stock comb is too high. Not being able to mount a tang sight, a couple options for peep sights include the Williams FP-1885 and Skinner's peep sight (either the lo-pro or 1885 one). With these you'd need a much higher front sight - I have the .650" high blade from Skinner's and it's not tall enough with the Williams peep - I will have to go to .750" or stick to shooting CCI Quiet's at 50 yards. The additional height also helps with the comb height issue on the stock. Scoping these with a Talley base / rings looks..... awkward to me lol. I haven't done much shooting with scopes on these.
Another variant in .22 you might find is one with a heavy 1/2 octagon and 1/2 round barrel and unmolested top tang. They were available in grade 1 or high grade (both no longer made). The barrels are heavier on these and they're a joy to shoot offhand with a tang sight. This batch had extractors only (vs ejectors for the one in the paragraph above).
I have no complaints about the accuracy of both of my rifles. That said I enjoy shooting off-hand and do so the vast majority of the time, so unfortunately I don't have any meaningful reports of group sizes. I don't notice any lack of accuracy compared to my CZ or Anschutz shooting in this manner however... if I do my part the bullets go where they should, and I can call my shots. I remember some threads on rimfire central discussing accuracy on the older heavy barreled .22 guns, specifically that accuracy can be hit or miss... but I don't remember much more than that and don't want to go into 3rd/4th/5th hand info lol.
There were other variants made... one with case coloured receiver with tang's and octagon barrels only in .17 HMR and HM2... perhaps some high grade specials... as well as a batch of Browning branded rifles in .357 / .44mag / .45 Colt.
The action is not the same as the original 1885 low walls - word is that disassembly and (mainly) re-assembly can be challenging. I've not taken mine apart, nor do I have an original... but if originality is of interest, then these might not be what you want.
Other low wall options I've come across are Uberti reproductions and custom guns (lots of $$$) from C. Sharps or other small makers in the U.S.
To sum it up, I love them, but I don't like the current configuration and wish they'd go back to having tang's. I may have the wrist on my newer one milled and a tang sight installed into the wood at some point... On the plus side I don't miss the crescent buttplate either
Hope all that helps!
I have one of the Miroku low walls in 22lr. It is the higher grade with the gold inlays on the receiver sides - rabbit on one and squirrel on the other.
Purchased it from a member on here that I have known since before CGN, and it was like new with original box and paperwork. It came with old deep blued steel Talley base/rings, and I put a 4-12 on it and sighted it in with just Win T22 but never got around to taking time to try various ammo. As I recall the results were promising with the cheap ammo. The only thing that took some getting used to was the scheutzen style butt hook.
The construction and fit of it are excellent+++. It is basically a thing of beauty with deep polished blue on all metal parts and a fancy grade stock. I am extremely careful when I take it out of the safe.
And yes, the Miroku built guns are all lovely. I have a Browning Win 52 copy and an A bolt Gold Medallion in 22lr. I bought both used with a few marks on the wood but overall a 9/10 condition, and they both shoot well especially the 52 copy.
Rimfires are my addiction!
CD
Purchased it from a member on here that I have known since before CGN, and it was like new with original box and paperwork. It came with old deep blued steel Talley base/rings, and I put a 4-12 on it and sighted it in with just Win T22 but never got around to taking time to try various ammo. As I recall the results were promising with the cheap ammo. The only thing that took some getting used to was the scheutzen style butt hook.
The construction and fit of it are excellent+++. It is basically a thing of beauty with deep polished blue on all metal parts and a fancy grade stock. I am extremely careful when I take it out of the safe.
And yes, the Miroku built guns are all lovely. I have a Browning Win 52 copy and an A bolt Gold Medallion in 22lr. I bought both used with a few marks on the wood but overall a 9/10 condition, and they both shoot well especially the 52 copy.
Rimfires are my addiction!
CD
