Henry Rifle Forums

Handled an 1873 Miroku Winchester in a local LGS the other day. Fit and finish were very nice, very nice wood and very tight but smooth action. Came to my shoulder with the grace and elegance of a Stradivarius. Pull, drop an balance were perfect and probably the best buckhorn sight I have ever looked down. Do I want it ? yes! Will I buy it? Probably not - I can't get past the 'Made by the J. A. Pan Co.' on the barrel!

Don't let the made in Japan thing hold you back - Miroku has been making guns for a very long time and they know how to make good ones. That Miroku 1873 Winchester you held is probably made better than anything Winchester has put together in over 50 years...

Oh I am aware of miroku and their quality- previously owned one - a Browning BL 22. The odd part however was the bluing of the barrel on the 1873 - it looked more black than blue.

I love their 1866. Would get one if I had the dough.

Never really noticed that on our 1873, but now that you mentioned it, it does have really dark bluing on the barrel.

We've got a pair of BL-22's - they are fine little 22LR rifles - different than most due to the trigger that cycles with the short throw lever, but still mighty fine. Why did you give yours up?

RanchRoper wrote:I love their 1866. Would get one if I had the dough.

X2 - they are just like yours except with a loading gate...

If I recall the Bl 22 was too small for me - i am a tall ape armed type. And I believe I traded it away many years ago.

Mistered wrote:If I recall the Bl 22 was too small for me - i am a tall ape armed type. And I believe I traded it away many years ago.

yea - they are very light compared to a Henry Octagon barrel or Marlin 39A - sometimes they are hard to keep steady on target because they are so light - like trying to hold a stick steady. The young ones like em, though - easy to shoot...

or Marlin 39A

Of which I own!

Mistered wrote:

or Marlin 39A

Of which I own!

Probably the best 22LR rifle ever made....