Miroku....

[anglaispierre]

I forgot to say my first ever shotgun was a Miroku. Still have it. Was out hunting with it at the week-end. Only problem is, the shooter is no way as good as the shotgun.

 

[rburg]

Interesting thread. My first "purchased by me, for me" gun was a Browning Tbolt (T2). Still got it, and love it. I have no idea who made it, but it came from Japan. And Cajun Lawyer has a BSS? I bought one about 1974 for $274, thought I was breaking the bank. Still have it, too. Saw one last weekend at the gunshow and the seller wanted $2 grand for it!

I wasn't aware different companies made the rifles and shotguns. They look alike. I have a B78 in .45-70, the BiCentennial edition. Its got a wood case, a knife (made by Browning). Its also got the prettiest wood of any gun I've ever owned. Its a keeper. I shoot a more mundane B78 that is a tack driver. You never think of a .45-70 as being accurate. I never think of me as being accurate (a different problem.) But the gun can come out of hiding, get tossed over a jeep or pickup truck hood on a blanket. Then put 3 shots into the "shield" of a miller lite can at 100 yards. Again and again. Funny how that works.

Somewhere I've held on to a Montana Centennial version of the 1886, of course in .45-70 caliber. Yes, gold inlay and all, I've shot it. I liked it enough I sold the short version of the 1886. And about 12 years ago I was looking to treat myself to a new rifle. I found an A bolt in 7mm Rem. Again, it was the wood that sealed the deal.

Metal work may be great. But the wood is just spectacular. I have no idea where they find and buy the quality. But they do. And its shipped to Japan.

I hate these threads when they come up. Next thing you know, I'll be looking at long guns at the next two gun shows.

 

[Gamecock]

This talk made me curious, so I went and checked all my
Brownings. My first surprise is that I have 5 of them.
Didn't realize that!

Here's list:

Citori -- Japan
A-bolt Stainless Stalker -- Japan/Miroku
A-5 Light Twelve -- Belgium
T-bolt -- Belgium
Medalist -- Belgium

Only way I could tell they were made in Japan is that it
says so on the barrels; the Citori and A-bolt are top
notch guns.

Joe

 

[VAdoublegunner]

I think Miroku's guns rank among some of the finest sporting guns sold in America over the last 30 years (maybe more). I have a number of the Browning (Winchester) re-issues, and a couple of BSS shotguns (the BSS 20ga with oil finished English stock and 26" IC/Mod barrels I bought new has out performed nearly any other 'investment' I own!...but it ain't for sale). Wood to metal fit, machining & finish, and wood quality are all top notch.

I also have one of their 1861 Springfield repros, often called one of most accurate to the originals production repros to be had. And I sure would like one of their Brown Besses but they don't come to market often. If Gizamo keeps posting that photo of his it is gonna drive me nuts and wreck my savings account! . (btw, Colonial Williamsburg has a bunch of them and they have received pretty hard use there over a few decades)

 

[rimfired]

Shortly after Browning transferred mfg. to Miroku the same plant was turning out the same Superposed as Browning under the Charles Daly stamp. Browning convinced Miroku to desist. Pretty sure it was under threat of suit.
I have one of those early Daly Superior Grade 12 ga. guns. My favorite field gun and it shows it.

I was told that Miroku were making unauthorised copies of Brownings or Winchesters and were about to be taken to court. But the parent company realised the guns were of such good quality they signed them up instead. Don't know how true this is. Anyone else heard this?

 

[tdan]

Seems like Miroku has been a premier go to contractor for higher end long guns for nie on 40 years. Weatherby has used them often. I have a 70's vintage Miroku built MarkXXII. Simply a finely crafted rifle. Some folks tout the earlier Italian built versions for collectability, but if you compare them side by side, the Japanese version is much more nicely done.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Not my gun, but a nice example of a Miroku Liberty Chief.

 

[Bullet Bob]

Don't have photos of all my Miroku Brownchesters, but here's some:
Citori Superlight 12:

Model 12 copy in 20 gauge - picked it up to look at the pup, bought it because it fit so well:

Low Wall in .22 Hornet, a really fun gun:

Model 53 in .32-20

And last, a model 92 in .357 - this is my favorite centerfire rifle:

I can't believe I don't have a picture of my BSS 20 Sporter, must be too busy using it take a photo!

rburg, if you have a 70's or earlier T-Bolt, it was made in Belgium.

Although Weatherby did have several guns made in Japan, and made well, I'm fairly sure none of them were made by Miroku. I believe their rifles were made by Howa.

 

[gizamo]

Anyone ever been to the Miroku factory...?

I had a military friend that went. Talk about otherworldly...

Anyone been or care to share the experience? I hear that high security is a understatement....

 

[Sid V.]

I have a Miroku BSS in 20ga.Nice little gun.It needs a left hand extractor.I have been unable to find any source for this part.

 

[bettis1]

I had a 2" Chief copy that was a very nice revolver. I let my brother have it when he was living on a sailboat in St. Thomas and like everything else it rusted. Would like to have it again.

Bob

 

[kshock]

I have carried and shot Browning shotguns for over 40 years (pheasant hunter). Back in the day, if it wasn't a Belgian Browning everyone looked down on it. Then I bought a BPS made in Japan and loved it. Smooth as silk and very well made. Later came a A5 that became my go to gun and I preferred it to my Belgian A5. Another in the Browning Gold. I think the quality is every bit as good as the Belgians and mine shoot better mostly because the newer ones have backbored barrels and choke tubes. My only complaint is that I despise the high gloss finish on a field gun, and most of the early ones came that way. I had an A Bolt to which I really liked but my kid got away with that one.

 

[Faulkner]

Here's the link to their web page. Got some pretty interesting stuff in the products tab.

Š”Ž®‰ïŽÐƒ~ƒƒN

 

[arjay]

Bought a miroku built citori back in the 80s.Put many thousands of rounds through it shooting trap and skeet.Use it for sporting clays now and it's still tight.Great quality and the white line spacer and high gloss finish are almost retro.

 

[LVSteve]

I have great respect for Japanese long guns from the Arisaka through to the Howa 1500 I own.

 

[Hondo44]

I'm old enough to remember when Browning switched from Belgian to Miroku made guns. There was a lot of talk about cheapening the guns early on. But soon all the fears were dispelled, shops like Briley that installed choke tubes were reporting that the barrels from Miroku were more concentric than the Belgian guns.

I have 4 lever rifles from Miroku: 2 B92s in 44 Mag, a Model 71 .348 (what else could it be?) and a recent USRAC 92 in 32-20. All extremely fine guns. In the 32-20 I've replaced the roll pins with solid pins as I have on my few newer Smiths.

 

[OLDFED]

I have a Miroku OU built for the German market. It has field and skeet barrel sets, a Browning case and sling swivels. In 12 GA, it's a beauty!

 

[M29since14]

I have had a number of Browning Citoris over the years. I used them all extensively for clay target shooting before trading them, almost always on a newer model Citori.

I have never had a bad one, and every one was still almost as tight and sound when I traded it as when new. With proper handling and maintenance, I am not sure I could wear one out. I do not shoot as much as I used to but I still prefer to shoot Brownings to anything else.

They are terrific shotguns for the money - probably superior to the Belgian Superposed guns, in terms of reliability anyway. I know I have spent a lot more money repairing Supers than Citoris.

I would love to see the Miroku factory.

 

[Sprefix]

Yup

Everything I have seen built by them is first rate.

Ditto on that........