Miroku Winchester's

[jstanfield103]

I Love the 1892 Winchester action, I have a bunch of that action in Rossi and Uberti. I also have two 92's Winchesters made in the Miroku factory. Great rifles, so when I was looking for another 45/70 besides the one I have in a 95 style action I wanted the 1886 in Winchester Miroku only. Heck the price was also better than the others. I have one on the way and can't wait to receive it. I bought the short 1886 rifle as my other two Miroku Winchesters are short rifles. I have alter the hammer strut on the two Miroku Winchester's that I have so no rebounding hammer (though it never caused me any problems) and plan on doing the same with the 1886 when it arrives. I am hoping that metal curved butt plate does not tear my shoulder up to bad, if so I will probably shorten the LOP and put a recoil pad on it, I would hate to do that and probably will not though. We will see.

Love the Miroku rifles

[rossim92]

i have a Miroku in 1873 octagon barrel in 44-40. nice guns, go ahead and put a butt pad on, makes the recoil more manageable.

[jeepnik]

Or, a PAST recoil shoulder pad. I use one on my Marlin 1895 GS when shooting some of the hot factory loads.

With my usual 400ish gr. hard cast reloads the pad is far from needed.

[JFE]

It beats me why Winchester are making 92’s and 86’s with steel crescent buttplates. While they have some admirers, most seem to dislike them. The Win 94 was in production the longest and over the years was available in a number of buttplate styles, however the most popular was the shotgun butt style.

[Drawdown]

That new 86 in 45-90 is certainly got my interest right now, but so much $!
One option I came up with on a recoil pad has worked perfectly for me. I change it to the rifle I'm using all the time. My problem wasn't recoil but Length of Pull. All the leverguns are too short for me, especially the Winchester's! I need 14-14.2" L.O.P., and most all them are 13.5" or less. I'm 6'3'" long arms and by that I'm so jammed in my elbow I can hardly work the lever, not to mention sights adjustment. So I got a leather butt cover from Levergun Leather. I cut leather shims from old belt, put in what's needed, and I can adjust by rifle, but all 3 my levers requires same, so I believe I have 3 layers of belt inside it. Plus it's about perfect for recoil!
But I know if I ever got a curved butt stock, I could cut very short pieces of belt for the center-deepest part curve, then gradually lengthen them until It's actually flat, plus enough length, and you finish with plenty padding! Once you got it right, a tad of glue between layers would hold them just right, but honestly I doubt it'd be needed.

[Drawdown]

That new 86 in 45-90 is certainly got my interest right now, but so much $!
One option I came up with on a recoil pad has worked perfectly for me. I change it to the rifle I'm using all the time. My problem wasn't recoil but Length of Pull. All the leverguns are too short for me, especially the Winchester's! I need 14-14.2" L.O.P., and most all them are 13.5" or less. I'm 6'3'" long arms and by that I'm so jammed in my elbow I can hardly work the lever, not to mention sights adjustment. So I got a leather butt cover from Levergun Leather. I cut leather shims from old belt, put in what's needed, and I can adjust by rifle, but all 3 my levers requires same, so I believe I have 3 layers of belt inside it. Plus it's about perfect for recoil!
But I know if I ever got a curved butt stock, I could cut very short pieces of belt for the center-deepest part curve, then gradually lengthen them until It's actually flat, plus enough length, and you finish with plenty padding! Once you got it right, a tad of glue between layers would hold them just right, but honestly I doubt it'd be needed.

[blackhawk44]

When I was about 10 or 11 years old, my grandad taught me to raise my outside elbow toward horizontal and to hook the toe of the stock into my armpit, not under my collarbone. Raising the elbow makes all the difference.
At 13, my first center-fire was a hooked butt plate Remington M8, 35 Remington with a neat double slap to its recoil (first the cartridge then the long recoil action). One of my three current hooked butt plates is a Browning 1886, 45-70 (400gr cast at over 1500fps). None have pads or butt cuffs. I'm not tough, just trained.

[Scott Tschirhart]

When I was about 10 or 11 years old, my grandad taught me to raise my outside elbow toward horizontal and to hook the toe of the stock into my armpit, not under my collarbone. Raising the elbow makes all the difference.
At 13, my first center-fire was a hooked butt plate Remington M8, 35 Remington with a neat double slap to its recoil (first the cartridge then the long recoil action). One of my three current hooked butt plates is a Browning 1886, 45-70 (400gr cast at over 1500fps). None have pads or butt cuffs. I'm not tough, just trained.

I think this is the answer.

[Griff]

When I was about 10 or 11 years old, my grandad taught me to raise my outside elbow toward horizontal and to hook the toe of the stock into my armpit, not under my collarbone. Raising the elbow makes all the difference.
At 13, my first center-fire was a hooked butt plate Remington M8, 35 Remington with a neat double slap to its recoil (first the cartridge then the long recoil action). One of my three current hooked butt plates is a Browning 1886, 45-70 (400gr cast at over 1500fps). None have pads or butt cuffs. I'm not tough, just trained.

I think this is the answer.

It is for me. I've got several 94 Winchester Rifles with the curved steel buttplate, a Browning 1886 in 45-70 and none bother me. Lifting that elbow up to the horizontal brings the shoulder muscles right where they need to be to absorb the recoil. I can't do an all day session at the range, but... I can certainly sight in and get myself situated for hunting season.

[kaschi]

The crescent steel buttplates don't bother me either. I'm glad the manufacturers still put these on some of their models to keep them historically correct in appearance.

[CowboyTutt]

WOW, some "good pointers" here!!! Some thoughts.

Drawdown, I know some of the prices listed on Winchester's website for 2024 model leverguns seems high, but when compared to the prices of Ruger/Marlin guns, and some of the recent posts on the internals of the new Marlins, I would rather take my chance on the Miroku Winchesters and bet they are better in quality than even the Ruger models and the MSRP's are not that far off, especially when considering gunsmithing costs to smooth out the Marlin. Just something to consider, I have not held and cycled either exact rifle in modern recent form lately but Miroku has a real reputation for quality over the years, and I have handled some past Miroku Winchesters and they were smooth as glass. Probably better than Big Horn's rifles even. So the MSRP's for the new Miroku's might be worth every penny and not much more than the Ruger Marlins. If you get a chance to fondle either, or if ANYONE! gets a chance to fondle either in a store or something, I hope you lads will report back!

Really cool suggestion worth trying on how to "hook" the curved butt plate under your arm with your arm extended up and out horizontally. Certainly worth trying before permanently ruining an original stock IMHO. I've met Griff over a decade ago in Colorado. He knows his stuff. But at the same time, it still seems with a heavy recoiling rifle, that method might transmit a lot of recoil to your arm and not your chest. Never had a crescent buttstock before, I have avoided them and use shotgun buttstocks.

But certainly worth a try. -Tutt

[jstanfield103]

Guy's thanks for all the replies. I can not use a slip on pad on this rifle. I cut all my rifles LOP down to 12.5" except my two Winchester Short rifles ( I believe they are at 13"LOP from factory ) and one short rifle Rossi 92 that is 12.75 LOP from factory. I bought the short rifle version in the Winchester 1886 because I thought the LOP might work at 13.25" LOP. If it is too long for my shorter arms I will cut the butt plate off which I hate to do and put a shotgun style butt pad on her. I am only 5'5" short/tall so that is my gun nemesis when buying lever guns. I have to cut 99% of them down and I have several. Crossing my fingers hoping it will be okay but really know I will eventually be cutting and putting recoil pad on her.

[CowboyTutt]

Maybe minimize the cut down? The '86's come in 13 and 1/4ths LOP right now for model year 2024.

https://www.winchesterguns.com/products ... dened.html

Maybe you don't really need to do much from what you are saying? Always try it out first before cutting!!! Regards! -Tutt

[Grizz]

Guy's thanks for all the replies. I can not use a slip on pad on this rifle. I cut all my rifles LOP down to 12.5" except my two Winchester Short rifles ( I believe they are at 13"LOP from factory ) and one short rifle Rossi 92 that is 12.75 LOP from factory. I bought the short rifle version in the Winchester 1886 because I thought the LOP might work at 13.25" LOP. If it is too long for my shorter arms I will cut the butt plate off which I hate to do and put a shotgun style butt pad on her. I am only 5'5" short/tall so that is my gun nemesis when buying lever guns. I have to cut 99% of them down and I have several. Crossing my fingers hoping it will be okay but really know I will eventually be cutting and putting recoil pad on her.

My Browning Miroku 1886 fits the cast performance .459 460 Gr perfectly . . . not sure about the 525 Gr guide gun load . . . what is pretty neat is seeing the .45 Model 92 together with the Model 1886. It's like cousins . . .

45's.jpeg

grizz

[Drawdown]

I held and worked, held and worked, a new 86 I think 5 years ago, in really the configuration I would prefer, the Light Rifle, 22" barrel, 2/3rd mag, in 45-70. At that time I believe it was barely past $1,000, maybe $1,100? It cycled tight & stiff, but I'm sure normal for a new rifle. I have no doubt they're quality rifles, and yes compared to others worth the $. I wish now I'd bought it, but would prefer 45-90! But for my future use, I just can't justify the $. I'm overtaken now with the 270Win bug, for my deer Rifle! Will it see time over my 30-30's? Probably!

[LeverGunner]

I have this one. I've not fired it yet. I have everything to load for it, but ain't made the time yet. I appreciate the tips on firing a crescent butted gun. I've never fired one before, I don't particularly care for the way they look or feel.



I prefer my 92 with shotgun butt.

[Griff]

One of my favorite rifles is a first year production Browning 1886 by Miroku, in 45-70, the only cartridge they were chambered in, IIRC. It's the full octagon bbl'd 26" rifle, and its weight helps absorb a lot of recoil. The other two Miroku rifles I have are both 1885s, a LowWall in 45 Colt with the ½ round/octagon 24-¼" bbl and a HiWall in 32-40 with a tapered octagon 26" bbl. All three have the crescent buttplate, and all three are smooth to cycle and well fitted rifles. The 1886 & HiWall both handle well and hang slightly nose heavy in offhand shooting... which to me helps steady them. The LowWall, with its big hole down the center, is a little more difficult to control at a notch above 6 lbs, but its balance is still such that pulled tightly back into the shoulder makes off hand shots out to 100 yards doable. I've shot it at paper @ 50 yards, off the bench for ragged one-hole type groups... But it gets far more use in side matches in CAS, where shots are well under 25 yards. The first time I shot it in competition, was with BP & 225grain pills. A simple round plate at about 15 yards... for 5 shots. After completing the stage the 3 spotters called me for 4 misses. I was the 1st shooter on the stage and there was only one lead smear on the target... Apparently off duty baseball umpires, they couldn't hear the ding of lead on steel, nor see the wiggle of the plate from the impact. Since their word is law in CAS, and all three couldn't accept the fact that the timer operator said all 5 shots hit the plate at the exact same spot, nor would they admit that they didn't see any evidence of a miss, I had to take that 20 seconds of time penalty as my score!

My opinion is that you are simply not going to go wrong getting a Miroku manufactured Winchester (or Brownings in the case of 1886 & LowWall).

Browning.jpg

45Colt3.jpg

DSCN1538.JPG

[jstanfield103]

Okay,
Guys I did get her picked up Thursday. What a Beautiful rifle. Have not gotten her to the range as of yet. I wanted to do a couple things to her before that first shooting. I took the stock off and did away with the rebounding hammer strut leg. Works great, just like my two Winchester 92's. The top stock screw was in so tight that I had to use a torque screw driver and a hammer to break it loose. Never had a stock screw that tight, even broke the end off of a screwdriver tip (Gunsmith tip) luckily did not scratch the rifle or hurt the screw (broken piece stayed in the screw head). Next I put swivels on her and a sling. All my levers have leather slings on them and wrapped the lever in leather and oiled the leather so it would not ever rust it.

You can tell the action is much beefier than the 92's, it is a little stiff but I know she will break in. FIRST 86 I have ever handled and just in awe of her. I can see this becoming my favorite rifle quickly. Not there yet but certainly growing on me quickly. As far as the LOP I really hate to cut on this rifle right now. It does not feel bad as far as LOP is, little long but not to bad. So I believe I will shoot it for a while and put my elbow in the horizontal position and see how she does. She is a heavier rifle and should I hope soak some of the recoil up. So much heavier and longer than my Rossi (95) Rio Grande in 45/70.

[veeman]

Both of my 1886's are the Browning version from the 80's. I too needed more LOP and got leather butt covers with the shotgun conversion, which is nothing more than some leather strips sewn into the crescent. I purchased these from https://gunstockcover.com/
I like theme so well I got them for all of my 1876's too. Look good and served the LOP problem as well.

[jstanfield103]

Those cuffs really do look nice. Thanks for posting them.

[EG73]

Gosh I’d love a modern 1886 converted to .50-110 and loaded HOT if I was to ever hunt elephant. Something different but capable..
I don’t think I’d like the recoil though.

[jstanfield103]

EG73,
You need to watch some of this guy's video about that rifle. They are scary awesome the power behind that caliber. He has a few on it.
look him up on YouTube, Leverguns50 and do a search for 50/110.

[jstanfield103]

Okay guy's took a quick picture with the new butt pad on her today before the storm hit. I really am liking this rifle the more I handle her. This shorter LOP for me made the world of difference in my hands for comfort and recoil management. Now I can really enjoy her. I hated to cut LOP on such a Gorgeous rifle and that steel butt plate looked great, but it was just to uncomfortable to enjoy and the LOP was just a little to long for my smaller frame considering I am only 5' 5" tall/Short.

[Grizz]

Yup, that is a genuine beauty. I like shorter LOP also. I would like to Trapper-ize my guide gun, but it is so great the way it is that i'm about certain i could ruin it if i chopped it the way i'd like to. Your courage is encouraging.

grizz

[jstanfield103]

Grizz if you are anything like me, and I did not do it would eat at me every time I held the rifle and shot it. Have to do it to make it fit my body and at 62 the steel butt plate just is not enjoyable to shoot.

[Grizz]

Grizz if you are anything like me, and I did not do it would eat at me every time I held the rifle and shot it. Have to do it to make it fit my body and at 62 the steel butt plate just is not enjoyable to shoot.

makes me want to take the Browning out with the 525Gr loads and test my shoulder again. by now i might dislocate it. which doesn't sound fun but does sound funny :)

[abar20manfan]

I had a Browning 1895 in 30-06 for over 20 years, but always admired the 1895 SRC after seeing this pic

IMG_1449.jpeg

Saw one of the Winchester 30-06 Centennial models when they came out after 2006 at a local Gander Mountain (GM is long gone now)
but couldn’t get at that time. I sold off the Browning 11 years ago and last year I picked up this SRC in 30-06.
I’m just using it for quality plinking with factory ammo.

image0.jpeg

[jstanfield103]

Beautiful rifle

[Drawdown]

76s 86's 95s, love em all very much!

[Molasses]

I had a Browning 1895 in 30-06 for over 20 years, but always admired the 1895 SRC after seeing this pic
IMG_1449.jpeg
Saw one of the Winchester 30-06 Centennial models when they came out after 2006 at a local Gander Mountain (GM is long gone now)
but couldn’t get at that time. I sold off the Browning 11 years ago and last year I picked up this SRC in 30-06.
I’m just using it for quality plinking with factory ammo.
image0.jpeg

I remember looking over a couple of those '95 SRC repros back when. Eventually (and reluctantly) handed them back across the counter after telling myself that the Miroku/Browning '95 rifle I already had was good enough and that the SRC's recoil would likely be a bit more stout. Maybe more than I'd like.

So, of course, being me, I eventually picked up a Miroku/Winchester '85 High Wall Trapper in .45-70 when CDNN was clearing them out.

Edited to add: since most of my pictures anymore are on my phone, I finally got around to getting logged onto here with that thing.

[jstanfield103]

I went to my LGS one time to pick up a High Wall that they had for a while. Got there and some one else was buy it. So he was trading in a Winchester model 61 that I ended up buying and taking home. One day I will buy the high wall.

[CowboyTutt]

I have had a chance to fondle a Browning/Miroku 1885. The action is superb on them, way nicer than a Sharps copy. You would be very happy with one I suspect.
-Tutt

[jstanfield103]

Thanks Tutt,
On my wish list.

[LeverGunner]

Okay guy's took a quick picture with the new butt pad on her today before the storm hit. I really am liking this rifle the more I handle her. This shorter LOP for me made the world of difference in my hands for comfort and recoil management. Now I can really enjoy her. I hated to cut LOP on such a Gorgeous rifle and that steel butt plate looked great, but it was just to uncomfortable to enjoy and the LOP was just a little to long for my smaller frame considering I am only 5' 5" tall/Short.

Very nice. I like the sling as well. A touch of flare without being too much. What brand is it? Did you add the medallions?

[Scott Tschirhart]

I had a Browning 1895 in 30-06 for over 20 years, but always admired the 1895 SRC after seeing this pic
IMG_1449.jpeg
Saw one of the Winchester 30-06 Centennial models when they came out after 2006 at a local Gander Mountain (GM is long gone now)
but couldn’t get at that time. I sold off the Browning 11 years ago and last year I picked up this SRC in 30-06.
I’m just using it for quality plinking with factory ammo.
image0.jpeg

That’s a grail gun for me.

[barbarossa]

I have one of the Miroku 95 carbines as well ,it s one of my favourite hunting guns

[Scott Tschirhart]

That’s the one!!!

[jstanfield103]

I have a total of 5 Miroku rifles in lever action. So well made I feel they are the best of the best.

[barbarossa]

I also have this Browning miroku made 86

[Crazy Horse]

I love my Jap Winchesters!!

[jstanfield103]

Only thing I really do to mine after buying them is cut the rebounding hammer leg off the strut. After that they are all good to go. As far as mechanically being sound. I usually do that before I even take them out for their first sighting in and function check.

[Turdyturdy]

Walmart, slip on Limb savers, 3 sizes $25. I keep them in the truck.