With so many different brands and models on the maket, finding a gun at the right price is tough. So, we’ve given Mike George the hard task of listing his top 20 new and used guns for under a grand
Miroku MK70 Grade 1 Sporter
Miroku MK70 Grade 1 Sporter
Country of origin: Japan
Price: £950 upwards, second-hand
When Browning was looking for a manufacturing base for its cheaper B25 look-alikes, it turned to Miroku of Japan.
The alliance has worked very well over many years, and the break-action Mirokus and Brownings have developed in parallel. To give some idea of the depth of the relationship, back in the 1980s Browning was going through a bad patch and its future seemed uncertain. At that time I had a interesting chat with a high-ranking Miroku executive, who promised his company would not let Browning die, and if necessary it would take Browning over. Fortunately, with the Browning/Winchester alliance, it didn’t have to.
The Miroku MK70 is a very Browning-like gun, and has gained a reputation for good handling and reliability. At various times it has been made in grades 1 to 6, and the top grades have lovely wood and fine engraving. It’s a multichoke, but if you want a fixed-choke, then go for the MK60.