New "old' Lever action rifles offered

[Crawdad1]

I see Winchester's 1866 'Yellow Boy' I wonder if this one is also made by Miroku in Japan. Any comparisons and or opinions on the following reproductions of these great lever action rifles?

http://www.winchesterguns.com/products/rifles/model-1866/model-1866s-in-current-production.html

http://www.winchesterguns.com/produ...roduction/model-1873-150th-commemorative.html

http://www.cimarron-firearms.com/products/long-guns/repeating-rifles-1/1866-yellowboy.html

https://www.henryrifles.com/rifles/henry-original-silver-deluxe-engraved-edition/

 

[Jim Watson]

The Winchester branded lever actions are made in Japan, presumably still by Miroku. They look good and get good reviews but are expensive.
The Henry branded Henry is said to be Made in USA.
All other toggle lock levers I know of are made in Italy and all the brand signifies is the importer.

 

[Crawdad1]

Some great Youtube videos showing the Henry by Henry Repeating Arms Company is made in the USA and is one accurate little cuss.
Cannot find a head to head comparison between the three but the Winchester is made in Japan while a host of others are made by Uberti in Italy.

 

[CraigC]

Both the Winchester and Uberti leverguns are very well made rifles. The Miroku guns 'may' have a slight advantage but both makes are equally welcome in my hacienda. I have an 1873 Deluxe Sporting Rifle .38WCF and an 1866 Short Rifle .44Spl. Both Uberti's and both are excellent. Been eyeballing the upgraded Winchesters offered by Navy Arms. Henry is not even on my radar.

My Miroku guns include a Browning 53, Winchester 1895, Winchester 1892 and a Browning Auto-5. All are keepers for sure.

 

[Malamute]

Id prefer a Miroku to any of the others. Have heard of some odd quirks with the Ubertis, but they generally seem to work well. Before the Miroku 73 and 66 came out, Uberti would have been my choice.

The Henry has good reports for quality on their 1860 model, but many mistakenly believe there was some historical connection between the Henry company of today and the company which made the original "Henry" rifle (which was not called the "Henry" company). They aren't very clear about that on their website.

I hope Miroku makes some 73 20" carbines in 44-40 and 357. Or makes some short rifles with shotgun butts. Really really don't like most crescent butts.

 

[Crawdad1]

My only connection to Japan made rifles were Dixie Gun Works', Tennessee Mountain Rifles , an older muzzleloader that they sold years back. I use to compete trying to get on the Pennsylvania Corps of Riflemen that sends a team to the a nationwide state shoot every year,
http://www.kyclr.com/
A few of the guys had these Tennessee Mountain Rifles and both were extremely accurate flintlock rifles. Granted only a few rifles isn't much of a sample but that's my only experience with them.

Also, here is a video by Hickok45, man that guy can shoot, showing how accurate these Henry rifles are,

 

[oldjeeper]

Hi was on here a long time ago just got back on....I own 3 Henry's .22 .22mag..357/38 all golden boys (or big boy) I love the smooth action of them all also the looks I don't use them all that much....but they look good on the rack. I have always liked lever guns but some of the new offerings leave a lot of quality questions..

 

[cocojo]

I just bought a new winchester 1894 in 30-30 for deer hunting. I own a pre 64 1894 it has peep sight. I wanted an optic option and the 1894 i bought made by Miroku of Japan has the option to mount a scope, which i did. I purchased the short rifle which fit me the best. The guns are expensive but extremely well made. The gun is every bit as well made as my pre 64.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Have heard of some odd quirks with the Ubertis, but they generally seem to work well.

Care to enlighten us as to what those quirks are?

For the record, I have an Uberti replica of the 1860 Henry, and one of their replicas of the 1873 Winchester. Yes, quality of the Miroku/Winchester rifles is probably a bit better, but good luck finding spare parts if you need them. Uberti parts are easy to find.

And just for the record, One of One Thousand was an marketing campaign that Winchester developed for the Model 1873. There never was any such thing as a One of One Thousand Henry rifle.

 

[Malamute]

^^^ PM sent.

 

[Steve S.]

I own a Miroku '73 Sporting Rifle in .45 Colt; this rifle is extremely well made - fit and finish are as close to perfect as I think a factory rifle can be made - flawless. I hand load so I was able to find a load combo that the rifle liked; at 50 yards from a bench (and Marbles rear tang sight) it will shoot 5 shot groups with all holes that touch - good enough for deer hunting. I don't think that I would shoot anything past 75 yards as my eyes are old (especially in low light conditions). I cannot comment on any other '73 makers as I have never shot/ owned one. Miroku's are a tad more expensive but (my opinion) make up for the extra expense in superb quality.

 

[RainDodger]

I have numerous Miroku-made guns and all are gorgeous and well made. I also have this Uberti in .357, which is a great shooter. No complaints about it. Yes, it's fairly expensive also, but it sure seems well made and well finished to me. When comparing the case hardened finish to that of the Miroku Winchester, I'd have to give the nod to the Winchester. Both are beautiful, but to me the finish on the Winchester is "smoother" feeling when touched. It's just a personal thing. Both are very nice rifles. I know my Uberti certainly shoots well.

 

[witchhunter]

I have a Winchester 1886 in 45/90 made by Miroku that is beautiful. Shoots great. It has this tang safety that I find rather redundant though.

 

[Jim Watson]

My Browning BPCR "Highwall" was built by Miroku. But it has an American Badger barrel.

I do not have a Uberti, but one quirk I have READ ABOUT ON THE INTERNET is soft screws. VTI sells hardened screw sets for Italian guns. But DJ is right, you can GET them and a lot of other stuff.

 

[Crawdad1]

Absolutely beautiful rifles guys!!!
That is the trouble with the lever action, limited application with prices soaring into coveted bolt action rifle range. I see that Henry repeating Arms Company has added the 45 Long Colt to their Henry rifles.

https://www.henryrifles.com/rifles/henry-original-rifle-iron-framed-original/

 

[dh1633pm]

Thanks Raindodger for the above photo. I just ordered a like rifle in 45 Colt. The posts here helped me finish my choice on what model to buy and from whom.