Modern Winchester/Miroku lever guns
- Thread starter SLT223
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Finally made it to the house today, and brought my Model 1892 up to the cabin to take a couple of photos and maybe shoot it a little. Turns out that it is a limited series of 500, and mine is serial number 00491. Very nice workmanship, high polish, deep blue, wood to metal fit is nice. Of course there is that $500.00 ding (plus a couple of minor scuffs). But those are a blessing in a way, as I don't have to worry about scratching it up when I'm out and about!!
This is the part that I am not crazy about... the rebounding hammer and the sliding safety are not historically correct. They are really well done, and are functional, but they grate a little on me, sort of like the IL on a Smith. I know that there are some specialists out there who can make these go away, but I'm not sure that it's worth it... still debating with myself over this:
All of the internal parts are really well machined and fitted. The action is slick and as smooth as one could expect from a newly made rifle.
The wood to metal fit seems to be impeccable. Check out the butt plate:
Overall, I am very pleased with my Miroku Japanese made Winchester. It is made under license, and after all, they aren't making any more of them up in New Haven, and from what I can ascertain, these are made to the highest standards, and are very functional little rifles. I know that we all crave original products, and I have a few old original Winchesters, but these are pretty nice rifles, and since mine came pre-dinged, I am not afraid to take it out and shoot it!!
Best Regards, Les
This is the part that I am not crazy about... the rebounding hammer and the sliding safety are not historically correct. They are really well done, and are functional, but they grate a little on me, sort of like the IL on a Smith. I know that there are some specialists out there who can make these go away, but I'm not sure that it's worth it... still debating with myself over this:
All of the internal parts are really well machined and fitted. The action is slick and as smooth as one could expect from a newly made rifle.
The wood to metal fit seems to be impeccable. Check out the butt plate:
Overall, I am very pleased with my Miroku Japanese made Winchester. It is made under license, and after all, they aren't making any more of them up in New Haven, and from what I can ascertain, these are made to the highest standards, and are very functional little rifles. I know that we all crave original products, and I have a few old original Winchesters, but these are pretty nice rifles, and since mine came pre-dinged, I am not afraid to take it out and shoot it!!
Best Regards, Les
Last edited:
scooter123
Member
I have two 1892 Winchesters, one made by Winchester in 1904 and one made by Rossi sometime around 2012. Both are chambered in 357 Magnum and the work on the Winchester was done by Winchester sometime in it's past for a previous owner. After doing a bit of tuning on the Rossi it is actually now slightly smoother than that Winchester.
However the fitment of the forearm on the Rossi was absolutely horrible so last winter I took a wood rasp to it and "free Floated" the forearm to barrel fit past the first inch of the barrel back by the receiver. Prior to doing this the Rossi would shoot 2-3 inches at 50 yards with 38 specials and around 6-8 inches at 50 yards with 357 Magnum ammunition. Now after relieving the forearm the rifle has grouped under 3/4 inch at 50 yards off a rather unsteady bench at a local indoor range. Still have to get it to a local gun club and test it at 100 yards from a real rest bench. One big advantage for my older eyes is that the Rossi can have a short mounting rail mounted where the rear sight slides in and it's a perfect position for a Weaver 4X Scout Scope.
As for the Winchester, I have actually been able to shoot it to 1 MOA using a Marbles Rear Tang Peep Sight with some coaching from a very experienced RO calling each hit. Since I don't have the eyesight to see my hits at 100 yards anymore most of the time I just shoot the Winchester at 50 yards where I can still score nice tight groups.
However the fitment of the forearm on the Rossi was absolutely horrible so last winter I took a wood rasp to it and "free Floated" the forearm to barrel fit past the first inch of the barrel back by the receiver. Prior to doing this the Rossi would shoot 2-3 inches at 50 yards with 38 specials and around 6-8 inches at 50 yards with 357 Magnum ammunition. Now after relieving the forearm the rifle has grouped under 3/4 inch at 50 yards off a rather unsteady bench at a local indoor range. Still have to get it to a local gun club and test it at 100 yards from a real rest bench. One big advantage for my older eyes is that the Rossi can have a short mounting rail mounted where the rear sight slides in and it's a perfect position for a Weaver 4X Scout Scope.
As for the Winchester, I have actually been able to shoot it to 1 MOA using a Marbles Rear Tang Peep Sight with some coaching from a very experienced RO calling each hit. Since I don't have the eyesight to see my hits at 100 yards anymore most of the time I just shoot the Winchester at 50 yards where I can still score nice tight groups.
As a kid in VA, a friend's brother let me use a Winchester 65 in 218 Bee for a summer of groundhog hunting. It was scoped with a Weaver 3/4" post and crosshair. That was in 1951. In later life, I decided I would like to relive those days by finding another Win 65 in 218 Bee. When I started searching, the prices were well above my level. I ran across a few Miroku copies that were in my range and on buying one, I was very pleased with the quality and looks. I did not get around to shooting it (still unfired), and lucked into a nice affordable real Win. 65 in 218 Bee. The Winchester quality is good, but not up to the Miroku level. Having a hard time deciding whether to sell the Miroku or keep them both, knowing I will probably never shoot the Miroku. I have two Martinis in Bee and Mashburn Bee that I haven't shot in 10 years or so, but owning nice pieces is a pleasure in itself
Very nice rifles. I've owned one of their 1895 SRCs 100-yr 30-06 a nib guns and it was very well built, fit, finished etc, eventually traded it for something more useful to me. Also shot a friends 1886 LW 45-70 and while recoil was stout, I remember liking the gun.
Deluxe 71 in process of being converted to 50 Alaskan wood and quality of workmanship is fantastic
My 1886 says "1 of 500", but I believe it only means that it is 1 of the 500 made, not necessarily the first of the series. I haven't been able to find much information on it. It seems that there are a number of special runs of Miroku Winchester's.
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