Win/Miroku 1866 impressions

[hatman]

This seemed like the best forum to discuss the 1866.

I have three 1873 Miroku's and they're awesome in looks, fit&finish, smoothness and accuracy.
So I've been anxiously hoping that "Winchester" would come out with an 1866.

Now that they're becoming available I'm wondering if anyone here has one or has seen one up close.

Looking at pictures on Gunbroker it seems like the brass receiver is not highly polished (more 'brushed') like my Uberti so that's a turn off.
In addition it seems to me that a 20" round barrel carbine should have a steel barrel band rather than a brass nose cap.  It doesn't look right to me, but I may be wrong.

What little I could find googling reviews there was some concern about the strength of the loading gate.

Thoughts/observations?

[King Medallion]

Typically the 66's are discussed in the Henry section. I have a 66 in 44-40 that is my main CAS rifle, love it.

[Coffinmaker]

Well ...... I personally have no knowledge of anyone whom has had the opportunity to fondle one, other than the sample example shown at the shot show.

Moving forward >>> It has all sorts of "safety stuff" built into the Extension Rod.  It does not use an original pattern firing pin.  Sorta copies a Uberti.  I know noting about the Miroku Ladle.  Mystery till someone gets one and takes it apart.

We should remember.  This is not a reproduction of the Original 1866.  It's a continuation with "upgrades and changes" so it is going to be some different than the original.

Beyond the above .... No Clue.  Nobody has seen one in the now so nobody knows.

Coffinmaker

[Abilene]

...
In addition it seems to me that a 20" round barrel carbine should have a steel barrel band rather than a brass nose cap.  It doesn't look right to me, but I may be wrong....

I assume you are talking about the model shown on this page:
http://www.winchesterguns.com/products/rifles/model-1866/model-1866s-in-current-production.html

Just because it has a round barrel doesn't make it a carbine.  Many original '66's and '73's were round barreled rifles.  If it was a carbine it would have had a barrel band near the muzzle as well as a band around the forend.  Some original carbines had the rifle buttstock with crescent buttplate, and some had the carbine buttstock, which all Uberti carbines have.

[Marshal Deadwood]

I assume you are talking about the model shown on this page:
http://www.winchesterguns.com/products/rifles/model-1866/model-1866s-in-current-production.html

That would make this a total Winchester short rifle then ?

MD

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

It states it is a short rifle. I'll bet that several different models will follow.

[nativeshootist]

they shouldve had it in 45lc

[rbertalotto]

I handles one a few weeks ago at Outback Arms in Carver, Massachusetts.

I shoot a Uberti 66 Carbine in CAS and I also have a Uberti 66 rifle. Both in 38-40

The Winchester 66 is extremely smooth. Much smoother than any out of box Uberti I've ever fondled. (I also have a couple Uberti 73s) It has a bit of a short stroke. I compared it to a Uberti 73 that was also in the shop. About 3/4 less stroke.

The Winchester is HEAVY! I was shocked at the weight. This would really slow me down in CAS. There was a Winchester 73 there also and the weight was substantially greater on the 66.

The one I looked at was 44-40 and was selling for $1150

Fit and finish was superb.

Except for the weight, it would be good to go for a moderate CAS shooter. Not total competition ready, but better than a stock Uberti

[PJ Hardtack]

Is a '66 Short Rifle any heavier than a '73 Short Rifle if both have 20" octagonal barrels and nose caps?

I've handled a 44-40  Uberti '73 Short Rifle and really liked it. Since I also have a Henry in 44-40, I'm wondering how a Short Rifle could be a hindrance.

[Abilene]

Is a '66 Short Rifle any heavier than a '73 Short Rifle if both have 20" octagonal barrels and nose caps?

I've handled a 44-40  Uberti '73 Short Rifle and really liked it. Since I also have a Henry in 44-40, I'm wondering how a Short Rifle could be a hindrance.

The '66 is slightly heavier than the '73 (brass frame is thicker I guess).  Also, the '66 has a bit more drop to the stock than the '73, or at least they used to.  But I've never noticed this difference between my '66 and '73's.

Edit: I'm talking about Ubertis, don't know on the Mirokus.