1886 45-70 ?

[joachim slim]

I have my eye on a Winchester (Japan) 1886 in 45-70. But there are also a couple Cimarrons and a Chiappa that are in the same price range or higher. Are the Cimarron and the Chiappa as well made? I dont care about the tang safety on the Winchester.

[T.K.]

In my opinion, The later Cimmaron's quality is probably equal to the Winchester. I own several. Ive never handled or used a Chiappa

[Rooster Ron Wayne]

I myself can't stand all the Wrighting down the barrel on the Winchester about made by Miroku in Japan. 

People can call it a real Winchester all they want .

It is a licensed clone made by Miroku in Japan. 

I would rather have a clone made in Italy without all the crap written down the barrel !

Chiappa makes about as close to a real Winchester as you can buy.

The Chiappa parts will interchange with real Winchester 1866 rifles .

Next from there I would buy Uberti Cimarron or Taylors. 

Hell if you buy a Taylors rifle it will say Winchester virginia down the barrel. 

A Pretty good strategy if you ask me lol .

That's just my two cents worth .

Rooster 

[Hoss Shoer]

I have a Chiappa, nice rifle, very accurate. I have a friend who has one also, his is a great rifle as well. I’ve taken deer with mine and he’s used his to get a cow elk. 
 

[Tex Jones, SASS 2263]

I had two Miroku '86s.  Carbine and rifle.  Both well made.  The carbine was more accurate than the rifle, but both accurate enough.

 

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

I am not 100% sure, but I believe the Cimarrons are made by Chiappa.   In either case, they don't have a stupid safety.   I have a Chiappa takedown 

'86 that is a very fine gun.   I worked "okay" out of the box, but I felt that the hammer spring was way to heavy, and that it could use some smoothing out, so I had an action job done.  I do not regret doing so.

Especially since I am doing this to it...



After the first of the year when the tax goes to zero, I am considering shortening the barrel to the same length as the takedown lever.   That'll make it an SBR, but hopefully soon after that the One Big Beautiful Lawsuit will deregulate SBR's.   Why not just wait for that?   We'll, it'll be cool to have the SBR paperwork, especially once it's obsolete.   (Weird, I know.)

By the way, the two cartridges are from right to left, a .45-70 and what I call a .45-45; a 45-70 cut back to the same length as a .45 Colt.  I came up with the idea for use as a plinker round in single shot rifles.    To my surprise, it kinda works in this thing.

[WOODFOX , sass#34179]

If you can find a Browning they are great guns .

[Major Crimes]

Pedersoli 1886 one of the prettiest and straight shooting you will ever see.

 

I put a Lee Shaver on mine and shoot to 300M easy as.

 

I think Uberti sell them in the USA 1886 Rifle | Uberti USA Replica Rifles and Revolvers

 

[Rooster Ron Wayne]

Chiappa 1886 45/70

This is what I personally would buy .

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1136120321

[Griff]

16 hours ago, WOODFOX , sass#34179 said:

If you can find a Browning they are great guns .

This↑↑↑

[Nimble Fingers SASS# 25439]

On 11/2/2025 at 8:30 PM, Rooster Ron Wayne said:

I myself can't stand all the Wrighting down the barrel on the Winchester about made by Miroku in Japan. 

People can call it a real Winchester all they want .

It is a licensed clone made by Miroku in Japan. 

I would rather have a clone made in Italy without all the crap written down the barrel !

Chiappa makes about as close to a real Winchester as you can buy.

The Chiappa parts will interchange with real Winchester 1866 rifles .

Next from there I would buy Uberti Cimarron or Taylors. 

Hell if you buy a Taylors rifle it will say Winchester virginia down the barrel. 

A Pretty good strategy if you ask me lol .

That's just my two cents worth .

Rooster 

Wow, here we are going to differ!  I like the Winchester logo on my lever actions, and if it comes with a lot of writing, it doesn’t bother me!!  I have a lot of Winchester made in Japan as well as here and I love them. The only Italian one is the Navy Arms Henry .44-40, because I couldn’t afford the US made Henry, but if they would license to put the Winchester name on theirs, then I would sell the Navy Arms and some other of my firearms to buy one!  But hey that’s me, and nothing against you for wanting an Italian. Pension instead. 

[Timothy]

Id go italian my miroku hits low has a very heavy trigger and isnt available in color case.

[Cpt Dan Blodgett, SASS #75655]

1 hour ago, Timothy said:

Id go italian my miroku hits low has a very heavy trigger and isnt available in color case.

Shorter front sight might fix hitting low

[Kid Rich]

11 hours ago, Timothy said:

Id go italian my miroku hits low has a very heavy trigger and isnt available in color case.

Adjust your rear sight or put a peep sight on it.

kR

[Rooster Ron Wayne]

On 11/4/2025 at 11:56 AM, Nimble Fingers SASS# 25439 said:

Wow, here we are going to differ!  I like the Winchester logo on my lever actions, and if it comes with a lot of writing, it doesn’t bother me!!  I have a lot of Winchester made in Japan as well as here and I love them. The only Italian one is the Navy Arms Henry .44-40, because I couldn’t afford the US made Henry, but if they would license to put the Winchester name on theirs, then I would sell the Navy Arms and some other of my firearms to buy one!  But hey that’s me, and nothing against you for wanting an Italian. Pension instead. 

Unfortunately I once got caught up in that made in America thing .

I had a beautiful Uberti 1860 Henry with 20 years worth of patina on it shooting black powder .

She looked like a Original Henry .

And We all know Uberti build I finly built Henry rifle .

Everything is machined parts, No mim parts in  the gun.

But when HRA come out with Made in America Henry Original 1860 for the first run in America in a 150 years .

I jumped all over it .

I spent 2000.00 on polished mim turd because it said Henry made in America , 

Roll printed down the barrel. 

Yes she is pretty on the out side .

But a bunch of mim parts on the inside .

I almost instantly regretted selling my Uberti Henry , 

I tride to buy it back , even for more money with no luck .

So believe me you .

Just because its made in America definitely dont mean its a better quality product. 

It just means you probably paid to much for it .

I sure do miss this girl !

Edited November 5, 2025 by Rooster Ron Wayne

[Kid Vic]

The Miroku-made Winchester 1886s are excellent rifles. Fit, finish, and machining are consistently high, and they tend to run smooth right out of the box. If you don’t mind the tang safety, they’re usually the most “trouble-free” option in this price range.

Cimarron 1886s are built by Pedersoli, and those are also very good. Pedersoli does nice barrel work and their wood/metal fit is generally solid. They can sometimes feel a bit stiffer until they’re shot in, but overall quality is definitely there.

Chiappa can be more hit-or-miss. Some are good, but others leave the factory rough. Things like sharp internal edges or timing issues show up more often on Chiappa than on Miroku or Pedersoli. They can be tuned into a nice rifle, but you’re taking more of a gamble.

If you want the “buy it and go shoot it” option: Winchester (Miroku).
If you want traditional look with good craftsmanship: Cimarron (Pedersoli).
I’d only go Chiappa if you can handle that exact rifle in person and verify it’s a good one.

[Nickle]

Why not just by a real Winchester?  Original pre war Winchester. 

Lots of beaters around that just need some love to get running again.  Original but in good shape guns are affordable .

Even if you pay more for a real gun. You will  get more for it when you sell it.

I've owned  two originals.  Resold both at profit after I hunted and shot targets with both for years.

I won't buy anything with tang safety.  Not only do I hate all the writings and warnings on new guns but now I see new guns with I quess Lazer etched writings all over them. It's not even  roll engraved! 

[Totes Magoats]

+1 on looking for a Browning!  One of my favorite rifles in my collection is the '86 High Grade Browning in 45-70. 

 

I also have a Chiappa '86 in 45-70 with MVA Soule sights.  It's is very accurate.

 

I don't want an '86 with a tang safety and that was a huge factor in deciding which model to get.

 

Totes

[joachim slim]

I dont mind the writing on the barrel or the tang safety.  I am not a purist. I just want one that works. No headaches, no worrying about parts or how they are made.

[watab kid]

im a fan of uberti and pederosoli , now that winchester is no longer an american owned company over that , there is a ot that can be said but the items that work are the ones we should use , the right tools for the job , 

 

if your asking of an original vintage winchester id say different but i dont think thats the case is it ?

[joachim slim]

Well, I pulled the trigger on a Winchester (Japan) 1886 with a 22 " barrel. After searching local, Gunbroker and Armslist I found one in Minnesota. The price was right and the shipping was free. Plus no credit card fees. I will post some pictures when I get it. It looks like this.

Edited November 7, 2025 by joachim slim

[Uriah, SASS # 53822]

Light weight compared to the rifle version and a shotgun butt! I like it!

 

Uriah

[Timothy]

300gr bullets are your friend lol have fun

[Judge Gardner]

I would go for the Winchester It is supported Winchester and Browning and you can get part in the USA.

[Bailey Creek,5759]

I personally like the 1876. In 45-60.

[joachim slim]

Well I come across this today and had to buy it. Winchester 1886 case hardened. Now I have too many 45-70's.

 

Edited November 9, 2025 by joachim slim

[Major Crimes]

On 11/10/2025 at 6:20 AM, joachim slim said:

 Now I have too many 45-70's.

 

 

Not possible!

 

I have, all in 45/70, a Sabatti Double Rifle, Pedersoli Boss Sharps, Pedersoli 1886 and a H&R Trapdoor

[joachim slim]

4 hours ago, Major Crimes said:

 

Not possible!

 

I have, all in 45/70, a Sabatti Double Rifle, Pedersoli Boss Sharps, Pedersoli 1886 and a H&R Trapdoor

I think next month I might hit the shows looking for a falling block 45-70

[Needle-Nose-Tom]

If you want something super lightweight compact and threaded for a suppressor Henry just came out with the SPD CRUSR. Not a work of art but definitely different for the collection. Marlins dark series is pretty cool for a change of pace as well.