Thinking about a 1886 rifle

Rube Burrows · Post by **Rube Burrows** » Thu Dec 03, 2015 11:03 am

I have been thinking lately that I would like to get me a model 1886 rifle in 45-70 to hunt with some and shoot. The original rifles that I seen that really catch my eye are a bit too pricy for myself to be toting in the woods.

I am curious of the opinions of the members here.

What would you get if you were in the market for one? A newer Winchester? Chiappa? Or something else?

What are the advantages to one over the other?

I think I would prefer the longer barrels to the shorter ones.

I really like the Takedown Classic from Taylor's.

I seem to remember the early Chiappa rifles having problems. Have those been fixed?

hfcable · Post by **hfcable** » Thu Dec 03, 2015 1:58 pm

I would get a browning 1886 from the later 1980s

the carbine would be the handiest

jhrosier · Post by **jhrosier** » Thu Dec 03, 2015 2:50 pm

I got a Miroku/Winchester 1886 EL a few years back and am more than pleased with it.
I put a Williams receiver sight on it to compensate for my poor vision.

Jack

Pete44ru · Post by **Pete44ru** » Thu Dec 03, 2015 2:58 pm

.

I've had two different .45-70 Winchester/Miroku Model 86EL's ( Extra Light's) - a plain Grade I and an engraved/gold-inlayed Grade II, with which I shot & hunted hard, for about 5 years.

They were very satisfactory hunting rifles, especially after I installed a Marble's tang peep sight on the Grade II.

Both operated very smoothly, and had no issues over the time I had them. (I only shot factory 300gr JSP's through them)

FWIW, when I eventually sold them, they were as pristine as the day I bought them (new) - since (although I took no special care with handling them) I never actually beat (parted) the brush with them, or used them as a stream-crossing crutch.

.

flatnose · Post by **flatnose** » Thu Dec 03, 2015 3:15 pm

Get the Browning 1886 that was made in 1986. It has no tang safety.
Next inline would be the Miroku/Winchester made later. Mine was made in 2001 and has a tang safety. A nice take down rifle that is very well made, and hard to beat.
The takedown weighs around 10lbs, which may be somewhat heavy to carry in the field for hunting purposes. The crescent butt is not overly pleasant to use with full power loads, not that they are really needed. Original type loads and velocity are plenty.
As for Chiappa and other brands, don't bother.

M. M. Wright · Post by **M. M. Wright** » Thu Dec 03, 2015 3:20 pm

I like both but the carbine is really handy. Mine is a Browning SRC that has been shortened to 19", big bead front and Williams receiver sight. Makes a great combination. The Brownings are not that difficult to find and do not have the rebounding hammer or thumb safety. Just like the originals with better metal and heat treat. Expect to pay around $1400+ though for a like new specimen.

My 26" barreled 86 is from 1916 and is in 45-90 but almost identical ballistics except for the rate of twist in the barrel which means that I'm pretty much limited to bullets below 350 grain weight. It has the original barrel sights that Bubba filed a buckhorn down to a flat top and I added a Marbles tang sight for longer shots. An unknowing person had tried to rust blue it and had never carded the fuzzy black off so it really looked rough and I got a great deal on it.

At the Wanamacher show recently I did see a Miroku/Winchester rifle, 26" bbl. and pistol grip, checkered wood for $1095. Brand new but no box. I know I should have bought it and let someone here have a good deal but then hind sight is 20/20.

The only Chiappa I've owned was a 76 that was a little rough and had some outlandish spawled wood on it hence I'm not a fan but the right one at the right price might change my mind.

jmiller · Post by **jmiller** » Thu Dec 03, 2015 3:39 pm

I too got the bug to have one two years ago. I ended up finding one NIB at a gun store in Pa. and bought it. I never had a problem with the tang safety but I did see one done over by Turnbull and decided to get mine done. I took it to them and had the safety removed, got it case colored, added a recoil pad to replace the metal butt plate, lengthened the lead (since Miroko makes them to the original factory spec....virtually no leade), and had them put a case colored receiver sight on the gun. It shoots sub 1.7" five shot groups at my private 114yd range on a pretty regular basis. It never fails to feed, fire, or eject and I've killed two deer with it since I got it. I couldn't be happier with it.

missionary5155 · Post by **missionary5155** » Thu Dec 03, 2015 5:33 pm

Greetings
Best way to get an original 1886 is buy a caliber 33 Win. and get it re-barreled or rebored. Then you know for sure your barrel will shoot well. Or wait a few years... Maybe 10-15 to finally find a super deal.
The jap made 86's I have owned or handled were all well made and all shoot great. Groove diameters are very tight. Any new mold will get it shooting. They are showing up in good used condition and well under the original prices.
Mike in Peru

Rube Burrows · Post by **Rube Burrows** » Thu Dec 03, 2015 7:34 pm

Thanks for all of the info guys. I will look into all options for sure. I had forgot about the Brownings. I really think that Taylor's take down was super pretty and would look good in a period style case but if the quality is not there then I'll for sure pass.

I was just watching a hunting show tonight and the guy was using a 1886 also do it must be a sign. Didn't hear them say what brand.

Rube Burrows · Post by **Rube Burrows** » Thu Dec 03, 2015 7:35 pm

jmiller wrote:I too got the bug to have one two years ago. I ended up finding one NIB at a gun store in Pa. and bought it. I never had a problem with the tang safety but I did see one done over by Turnbull and decided to get mine done. I took it to them and had the safety removed, got it case colored, added a recoil pad to replace the metal butt plate, lengthened the lead (since Miroko makes them to the original factory spec....virtually no leade), and had them put a case colored receiver sight on the gun. It shoots sub 1.7" five shot groups at my private 114yd range on a pretty regular basis. It never fails to feed, fire, or eject and I've killed two deer with it since I got it. I couldn't be happier with it.

Beautiful job. He sure does turn out some masterpieces.

tman · Post by **tman** » Thu Dec 03, 2015 7:49 pm

M. M. Wright wrote:I like both but the carbine is really handy. Mine is a Browning SRC that has been shortened to 19", big bead front and Williams receiver sight. Makes a great combination. The Brownings are not that difficult to find and do not have the rebounding hammer or thumb safety. Just like the originals with better metal and heat treat. Expect to pay around $1400+ though for a like new specimen.

My 26" barreled 86 is from 1916 and is in 45-90 but almost identical ballistics except for the rate of twist in the barrel which means that I'm pretty much limited to bullets below 350 grain weight. It has the original barrel sights that Bubba filed a buckhorn down to a flat top and I added a Marbles tang sight for longer shots. An unknowing person had tried to rust blue it and had never carded the fuzzy black off so it really looked rough and I got a great deal on it.

At the Wanamacher show recently I did see a Miroku/Winchester rifle, 26" bbl. and pistol grip, checkered wood for $1095. Brand new but no box. I know I should have bought it and let someone here have a good deal but then hind sight is 20/20.

The only Chiappa I've owned was a 76 that was a little rough and had some outlandish spawled wood on it hence I'm not a fan but the right one at the right price might change my mind.

Want to shorten mine to 18". what's something like cost? why did you go with 19"'s?

Lastmohecken · Post by **Lastmohecken** » Thu Dec 03, 2015 7:58 pm

I have owned several 45/70's. I have had a couple of Marlins, and Ruger No. 1, a Browning 78 singleshot, a Winchester Japan Extra Lightweight, and a Browning 1886 Carbine fancy grade.

My favorite is the Browning 1886 Carbine and I had a Williams receiver sight put on it. I would have kept the Winchester Extra Lightweight but I did eventually have misfiring problems due to the rebounding hammer, and it lost favor, and I think I like the Browning carbine configuration better anyway.

Shasta · Post by **Shasta** » Thu Dec 03, 2015 8:33 pm

If you prefer a full length rifle over a carbine, I can recommend the recent production Winchester takedown as it is very affordable compared to an original. Quality and workmanship of the Japanese Miroku is far superior to the Italian stuff. The takedown feature is great, especially if you shoot black powder. The gunk can be pushed out the barrel without getting it into the action mechanism. The phony tang safety and rebounding hammer can be defeated with a bit of gunsmithing. Best of all, with a little luck you can find one of the Deluxe versions with high grade checkered wood. Here is one I recently bought for $1,400 unfired with the original box and papers (it didn't stay unfired for long once I got it

).

I am planning installation of a Browning hammer and trigger to get it back to a normal half-cock safety with no rebounding hammer.

Good Luck on your quest for an '86!

Shasta

M. M. Wright · Post by **M. M. Wright** » Fri Dec 04, 2015 10:43 pm

tman,

I bought the carbine from a forum member here. I don't know what it cost or why 19 inches but it seems just right. It has laid across my lap every afternoon this week while I sat in my blind.

MtnGun · Post by **MtnGun** » Sat Dec 05, 2015 1:05 am

I have an original in .33 i'd sell. Message me if you're interested.

tman · Post by **tman** » Sat Dec 05, 2015 2:54 pm

M. M. Wright wrote:tman,

I bought the carbine from a forum member here. I don't know what it cost or why 19 inches but it seems just right. It has laid across my lap every afternoon this week while I sat in my blind.

Thanks for the reply. Looking to have it done to my 86 carbine. Looking for a good smith that will promise me, that after cutting, recrowning and rewielding the front sight to the barrel and shorting the mag tube, that I'll still have the same reliable gun that I started with. Hoping it will turn out to be as handy and almost as light as a model 94 Winchester.

Rube Burrows · Post by **Rube Burrows** » Sun Dec 06, 2015 4:25 pm

Shasta wrote:If you prefer a full length rifle over a carbine, I can recommend the recent production Winchester takedown as it is very affordable compared to an original. Quality and workmanship of the Japanese Miroku is far superior to the Italian stuff. The takedown feature is great, especially if you shoot black powder. The gunk can be pushed out the barrel without getting it into the action mechanism. The phony tang safety and rebounding hammer can be defeated with a bit of gunsmithing. Best of all, with a little luck you can find one of the Deluxe versions with high grade checkered wood. Here is one I recently bought for $1,400 unfired with the original box and papers (it didn't stay unfired for long once I got it ).

I am planning installation of a Browning hammer and trigger to get it back to a normal half-cock safety with no rebounding hammer.

Good Luck on your quest for an '86!

Shasta

Thanks for the pics. That is a pretty gun. I missed that Winchester made a recent take down 1886 since I had not really been looking at the time. I will def. consider them as I'm a Winchester man anyways.

Rube Burrows · Post by **Rube Burrows** » Sun Dec 06, 2015 5:01 pm

Is there any accuracy lost between a non takedown and a takedown?

plowboy 45 · Post by **plowboy 45** » Sun Dec 06, 2015 5:08 pm

Rube, there's a man over in Kiln, Ms. got some 86s, I know one is 45 90, if your interested I'll give him a call or give you his number

PLOWBOY

Rube Burrows · Post by **Rube Burrows** » Sun Dec 06, 2015 5:13 pm

plowboy 45 wrote:Rube, there's a man over in Kiln, Ms. got some 86s, I know one is 45 90, if your interested I'll give him a call or give you his number

PLOWBOY

Sent you a PM.

tman · Post by **tman** » Mon Dec 07, 2015 3:48 pm

M. M. Wright wrote:tman,

I bought the carbine from a forum member here. I don't know what it cost or why 19 inches but it seems just right. It has laid across my lap every afternoon this week while I sat in my blind.

The 19" makes sense. Now, to find a good smith?

flatnose · Post by **flatnose** » Mon Dec 07, 2015 7:11 pm

Rube Burrows wrote:Is there any accuracy lost between a non takedown and a takedown?

No, at least not on the miroku built rifles that I can tell.

Rube Burrows · Post by **Rube Burrows** » Mon Dec 07, 2015 10:56 pm

flatnose wrote:
Rube Burrows wrote:Is there any accuracy lost between a non takedown and a takedown?
No, at least not on the miroku built rifles that I can tell.

Thanks.

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