1886 Browning Lever Action

[Tripacer]

Gotta tell somebody - Just came back from the range (Huntington WV Rifle and Pistol Club) and put five 325 Grain Hornady Leverlution bullets into exactly 1 inch at 50 yards. I've had these same eyes for 71 years and the sights are traditional open iron sights. I think the Browning 1886 lever action is at least as well made and probably better than the original Winchesters.

 

[rcmodel]

Wouldn't doubt that a bit.

I have a gun cabinet full of vintage Winchesters including an excellent condition Model 53 25-20.
I also have a Jap Browning model 65 .218 Bee.

No comparison in the quality of fit & finish.

The Browning 65 sounds & feels like a bank vault door closing compared to the old Winchesters.

rc

 

[Toml]

You make the Browning sound cheesy. It was manufactured by the well-regarded Miroku Firearms Mfg. Co.

 

[rcmodel]

Cheezy?

That was not my intent.
Read it again!

I meant to say it is fitted & finished better then anything Winchester ever built in it's glory days.

rc

 

[HoosierQ]

Lot's of people will say that Japanese built Browning products surpass their Belgian counterparts. I have a Japanese Browning side by side that is just flawless. I can imagine that their lever actions would be good too. I have always wanted a Browning Lever Action but I cannot remember ever having seen one, much less having an oportunity to buy one.

 

[Toml]

I understand. Sorry, but to me "Jap" rifle is reminiscent of old WWII-vintage beaters, which I have learned are actually built on pretty nice Mauser actions. Japanese Brownings are not in this class at all we will agree.

My apologies...carry on.

 

[Jim Watson]

I have learned are actually built on pretty nice Mauser actions.

You can learn a lot of things on the internet that are not so. Apart from the elementary similarity of a turnbolt box magazine action, the Arisakas are not Mausers at all.

I have a Browning BPCR .40-65 that is a very fine rifle made by Miroku, along with an Anschutz-Miroku shotgun for the occasional round of skeet. Good products... but the rifle has an American Badger barrel.

 

[Toml]

Thanks for the info, Jim. I'll look into this.

Not to go off topic too much , but how do the Japanese actions compare to the Mauser? I have a couple of these rifle variants from my dad's collection. Have never loaded or fired them. I always assumed he had planned to sporterize them as he had an old Springfield action.

 

[rcmodel]

A 1898 Mauser or 1903 Springfield will make a much more pleasing sporter then a Jap Arisaka. They have just a more visually appealing look to them, both before, and after sportizing.

Also, the Arisaka safety is non-compliant with scopes, and the trigger is difficult to make good.

It is also a "cock-on-closing" action, and many folks consider that less desirable then the "cock-on-opening" Mauser 98 or 03 Springfield.

With all that said, it is one of the strongest military actions ever made.

rc

 

[Tripacer]

I also have a Browning Model 92 lever action carbine in 44 Magnum. It shoots best with Winchester factory 240 grain jacketed bullets. If I do my part, it will group almost an inch at 50 yards. Same deal on the carbine - open sights on the 20" barrel. I've tried reduced loads (it kicks like a mule with factory rounds) but I haven't been able to get the same accuracy. And, as is the case with my Browning 1886 lever action 45-70, the fit and finish is superb.

 

[jkingrph]

I have four Japanese Winchester repros. Two are mod 1895's in 405 Win., one standard the other high grade. Then there is an 1886 takedown in 45-70 and a 52b sporter , .22. Fit and finish and overall quality is very good, especially on the 1895 hi grade.

I also have an 1885 Browning BPCR in 45-70. Fit, and finish on it are super, wood seems to grow out of the metal. and is extremely nice curly walnut. Receiver and lever are color case hardened, half octogen half round barrel is semi matt blue as befits a target rifle.

I prefer to buy American, but originals in anything approaching new condition would simply be unafforadable, at least to me.

 

[lionking]

 

[1KPerDay]

Dang that's purdy.