Miroku 1886's. Winchester or Browning?

[silicosys4]

Sold a car for way too much, paid a few debts, and now with the extra i've decided to get a .45-70 lever gun. The top of the .45-70 lever gun heap as far as I'm concerned is the 1886, and since I don't have the $6k+ to buy a decent condition .45-70 original with a shootable bore,

I have two options that i've found that I want.
Browning 1886 saddle ring carbine in .45-70, 99+% bluing, few dings on wood, $1500
Winchester 1886 Extra Light High Grade NIB, 1 of 1000, $2000.

The Browning doesn't have the rebounding hammer and tang safety,
The Winchester is prettier and the Extra Light option makes for a handier rifle in the field.
Both have options for a tang sight, which I will want to put on it first thing.

Plans include predominantly range trips for fun, possible occasional hunting for deer and elk in thick Pacific NW timber,
and most realistically, extended safe habitation with an eye towards resale value

What would you do?
Browning,
Winchester,
Or both, the Browning as a shooter/hunting gun, and the Winchester as an investment?

Browning


Winchester (example, not the gun in question)

 

[MEHavey]

Only accurate (cast bullet) rifles are interesting....
https://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?p=6644641

 

[earlthegoat2]

I don’t like saddle rings or the carbine barrel band.

I do like lighter weight.

Winchester.

If I were to buy any newer production 1886 it would be one of the lighter weight sporter versions with an abbreviated magazine and rifle configuration.

Once again. The Winchester.

 

[halfmoonclip]

They are both Miroku, which is a good thing.
Are you firmly wed to the .45-70 idea? If really shooting much is the plan, that old boomer will wear you out pretty quickly.
Trailboss may give you options that weren't available when I was handloading that caliber...just how fast are you planning to drive those big bullets?
Would something like .45 Colt give you more options? Yeah, you want a tang sight. Look at Marbles; they allow for windage with the rear sight.
Moon

 

[highlander 5]

I had an 1886 Browning great rifle except for the curved steel butt plate,it'll beat you into submission in short order with heavier loads.

 

[Mosin77]

I was set to tell you to buy the Browning until I saw the Winchester. The engraving does it for me. It’s only $500 more and way prettier. At those prices buy the Winchester.

 

[Charlie98]

The One Rifle I Regret Selling After All These Years... was my Browning 1886 SRC. Fantastic rifle. $1500 is a steal.

 

[Ru4real]

I’d go with an actual new original 1886 by Chiappa. Gunbroker has 7 for sale right now $1750

 

[Coyote3855]

I was set to vote for the Browning until I saw the picture. Don't care for the profile of the forend and buttstock. Between those two, the Winchester.

If I were spending money, the Chiappa would be my choice.

I've wanted an 1886 since I saw one in gun shop when I was a kid. Caliber .45-90.

 

[King Medallion]

I have Browning's. I solved the steel buttplate problem with leather cover with shotgun adapter, which also gives an extra inch or so of LOP, which I greatly appreciate.

 

[az_imuth]

I would definitely go with the Browning SRC. None of the modern safety "features" and the thing is built like a tank. I have one of the SRC and it is one of the last rifles I would ever part with. Also, I can do without all of the laser/roll engraved gold filled extras. I'd be afraid to use it if it were that pretty.
On another note, the Brownings keep rising in value simply because they are limited in numbers and they are built more closely to the original specs.

 

[Robert]

Light and 45-70 do not play well together. I have loads for my 1895 that will make your eyes water in a 7 lbs rifle.

That said, I want an 1886. So that's what I'd get, but I want the 45-90.

 

[WestKentucky]

Both.

I have never seen a modern Winchester lever gun that seemed like it was actually intended for use. If nothing else they are a work of art. A lot of the wood stocked 70s are also just drool worthy examples of craftsmanship, but they do seem like they were meant to be used. Either way, that Winchester is a solid buy.

Browning is the same gun only not as much lipstick. It’s $500 cheaper but it’s still a sweet rifle. A little bit undervalued compared to other similar things, and again it’s the same gun only cheaper and less frilly.

Remember I said winchesters don’t seem like they should be used… don’t. That’s one to look at. Remember that browning is the same gun only made to be used… use it. One to look at and one to use the snot out of.

 

[SwampWolf]

My 1886 is a Winchester (Miroku) "Extra Light Weight" variant. I fitted it with a Williams "FoolProof" receiver sight and, though it weighs 7.25 pounds, the rifle is pleasant enough to shoot with "standard" factory loads, even off the bench. You might need something with more soup when after elk but 405 grain factory loads work just fine when hunting whitetails in Ohio.

 

[bfoosh006]

I have one of the Saddle Ring Browning Carbines.
Excellent rifle. I won't ever sell it.
Accurate and smooth action.
For me, the curved butt plate has never bothered me.

 

[silicosys4]

Both.

I have never seen a modern Winchester lever gun that seemed like it was actually intended for use. If nothing else they are a work of art. A lot of the wood stocked 70s are also just drool worthy examples of craftsmanship, but they do seem like they were meant to be used. Either way, that Winchester is a solid buy.

Browning is the same gun only not as much lipstick. It’s $500 cheaper but it’s still a sweet rifle. A little bit undervalued compared to other similar things, and again it’s the same gun only cheaper and less frilly.

Remember I said winchesters don’t seem like they should be used… don’t. That’s one to look at. Remember that browning is the same gun only made to be used… use it. One to look at and one to use the snot out of.

Allright, I guess its time to come clean. I bought them both, the Winchester to look at, and the Browning to shoot.
At some point I'd love to send the Browning to Turnbull to CCH the receiver, lever, and hammer, but i'll have to wait for a bit for that. I was about to get just the Browning but decided Turnbull will always be there, the High Grade for $250 more than an Italian gun won't.
The italian guns...nice but too much money and not enough authentic case hardening.

 

[Nature Boy]

I bought them both

That’s always the right answer

 

[Riomouse911]

There you go! Enablers Unanimous has struck again.

The Browning will make a fine thick timber rifle. Add that peep and hunt away.

My .45/70’s are JM Marlins, a factory ported 1895G and an 1895CB. I had recoil pads added to both to help tame what can become pretty stout recoil with hunting loads. Both also wear peep sights.

Let us know how the Browning shoots once you get a chance to take it out.

Stay safe.