Cowgirl Corner: Single actions into single shots

[North Country Gal]

Have had a miserable run of luck, lately, with a good many of those newly purchased, current production single action revolvers I've posted about in other Cowgirl Corner posts. Just too much time doing finish work, playing gunsmith and sending guns back for repair. Decided I'd rather devote my time to shooting, instead of fixing guns, so sold and traded off those particular single actions, keeping only the best and most trouble free.

This isn't a post about those guns and the problems I had, though. It's a post about what those guns financed after we sold them. Figured it was time to step up in quality and go with fewer guns that were simpler in their construction if I wanted to spend more time actually shooting. Definitely the "less is more" kind of thing. Also wanted guns my husband, Bill, would shoot more. It worked.

Here's two little rimfire sweeties that any cowgirl could love. They're both current production Winchester 1885 Low Wall rimfires made by Miroku in Japan. Sure, I'd rather buy American, but I wanted to stay classic single shot and, short of going to custom, no other choice on this kind of gun. Besides, quality on these guns is superb. Top gun is the 1885 Low Wall in 17 HMR and the bottom gun is the 1885 Low Wall in 22 LR. Both wear Nikon Rimfire scopes.


Opening the action ejects the empty and closing it cocks the hammer for you. Makes it it easy to get in a comfortable rhythm of shooting, but still slow enough to save on ammo. Both guns have good, crisp triggers that break at about 3.5 pounds.


Pleased to say that accuracy is on a par with good rimfire bolt guns, such as our CZs. Here's some evidence.

First day out with the 17 was not prime 17 HMR shooting weather, but, even with the wind, I was pleased.


Next time out with the 17, winds had calmed, nicely, and decided to see what the Low Wall could do at 50 yards. Also decided to try some different ammo. Looks like we have a winner with the Federal Premium. (That one large hole was a 22 LR that was already, there. The other 5 are 17 HMR.)


The Low Wall 22 LR was no slouch, either. Here's a couple sight in targets.




Bill got along great with the 22 LR Low Wall, too.


Lastly, one of the reasons I went with these Winchester 1885 Low Wall Rimfire Hunters is the balance. Very nice guns for offhand work with just enough weight out forward to be steady.


Just doesn't get any more traditional than shooting one of these classic single shot rifles. Hope you enjoyed this.

[RanchRoper]

Enjoyed it very much. Thanks, and nice shooting. If it ever stops snowing here, I'll do the same myself...I don't need another rifle but I have been eyeing up a Winchester 1866 Yellowboy. I'm happy to hear the quality is top notch on yours.

[BigAl52]

1866 Yellow Boys are cool RR what caliber

[Cowboy Gun Fan]

Looks good, but I hope your Vaquero was not one of the ones.

[North Country Gal]

We got 3" of wet, heavy snow here, today. Of course, we often get snow well into May. Oh, well.

Sorry to say, all the New Vaqueros are gone. My fav, the 357, just broke a hammer in two while I was dry firing it. Ruger fixed it, of course, but I just didn't trust it, anymore. Issues on the others, too. Kept the much cheaper Cimarron 357 Frontier, though. No issues with it and it is actually more accurate than the Ruger, anyway, not to mention a much better fit for my hands, as are all Colt clones. The Colts just fit me like a glove and I can easily use them with one hand. Couldn't do that with the Ruger SAs. Only way I could comfortably cock them and shoot them was with two hands. Nice guns, but just awkward for me to use with my hands.

Speaking of Colts, kept my matched set of USFA Colt Rodeos 45s, of course. Finest revolvers I have ever owned. Have completely spoiled me. Also kept some very nice older Ruger SAs from the early 90s all the way back to the late 50s. Those just seem like better guns than the new stuff. Maybe my imagination, but the fit and finish on those older Rugers is better and they've been completely trouble free. Also like them for sentimental reasons, given my long history with them.

Won't ever discourage anyone from buying new Rugers, though. Still great guns for the money. Just didn't work out for me. Luck of the draw, I guess.

USFA Rodeo in 45 Colt. Made in the U.S. Flawless, custom smooth action and trigger. One of two with consecutive serial numbers. Absolutely the only way I can tell them apart is by the serial number. Identical in every respect. Even the screw head orientation is identical on both.

[PT7]

~Two very nice Win 1885 rifles. Miroku and the rifles are new to me. But I know over the years that there has been quality manufacturing, which has come from Japan. Your rifles also carry some sharp-looking wood furniture.
~Great job on the 17 HHR off hand target results.....excellent shooting.
~Agreed....good focus: "Definitely the 'less is more' kind of thing."

[North Country Gal]

Thanks, PT

Miroku has been making Browning's guns since the 60s, so you're probably more familiar with Miroku via the Browning label. All of Brownings lever guns are Miroku made, as are all their current bolt guns. Miroku also makes Browning's classic shotguns like the Citori.

Miroku also makes the current Winchester lever guns and they also made a lot of those reproductions of discontinued Winchesters for Winchester, back in the 80s and 90s, before Winchester went out of business and was bought by FN.

Long and very well regarded company. No such thing as a cheaply made Miroku made gun.

[Jdl447]

I own 2 Miroku made firearms Bl 22 that I bought at JC Penny's back in 1976 and a 28 ga Citori Lighting. Both great guns.

[bandit1250]

NCG the 1885's look very nice and well made. They look to be light enough to carry in the woods for a squirrel rifle and not wear you out. Nice shooting by you and the rifles as always. I like single shots for hunting squirrels as it just makes you take time to get the best shot. I carry Remington 510X 22's in the woods sometimes and enjoy the light weight and don't feel handicapped by the single shot. Here is one that I won't carry in the woods. Martini MKII 22. Very heavy but is super accurate.

[North Country Gal]

Those are some beautiful guns, guys. Always wanted a Citori, back in my younger days when I was bird hunting, but always out of my price range, at the time. Pretty much had to stick to pumps to stay in the budget.

Bandit, that is one beautiful single shot. Yes, these two versions of the '85 low wall are nice, trim rifles that carry very easily. In fact, they were designed to be carried, given their official label of 1885 Low Wall Rimfire Hunter. Would make fine squirrel guns. Back in the USRAC- Winchester days, Miroku did make other versions of this gun for Winchester that were considerably heavier.

[BigAl52]

I own a Browning Miroku 1886 1 of 3000 45-70. I also have the Browning collector knife that went with it. Its unfired and I catch heck all the time from a good friend about shooting it. It sure is a nice piece and I will try to get a pic up of it soon. Those 1885 single shots are really nice and I have always liked them just never have gathered one up. Al

[Henry88]

I wanted to respond to this thread earlier, but Ok.....

First of all NCG, those guns are absolutely gorgeous.

My first gun was a Win M190. My Second was a Win M70.

The M190, my older sister took with her when she left her loser 1st husband "Larry" in the middle of the night ( so he couldn't shoot her with it) and gave it to me. She died of cancer in 2000 and I gave it to her oldest son.

The M70 i bought I think in '75 at Fields (no longer exist) in Miami for $175. I think at that point they were going out of business.

Yeah, it's the push feed, etc. but it's still my #1 gun and has never in all this time fail to load, fire, or eject. Not one time.

Anyway, my point is that these Mirokus are now the old control feed and as high in quality as any M70's ever made, or so I've heard people say.

Anyway, I can look at NCG's Wins and say they are real Winchesters to me

[North Country Gal]

Thanks, Henry. If Ruger made a No. 1 in rimfire, I'd probably get one for the sake of staying American, but I doubt it would be any better than these Miroku made guns. First rate quality.