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Miroku MK38 Trap & Teague Sporter

Miroku MK38 Trap & Teague Sporter

It’s a frightening fact that when I started shooting all those years ago the multi – choke wasn’t a generally accepted accessory. Instead many shooters made do with one gun and maybe two barrel sets. Alternatively if finances permitted, a sporter and a trap usually of the same make were the preferred option, giving near mirror image guns that were just different enough to handle all requirements. It was also a safe bet that the pair was likely to be Mirokus; a Trap and a Sporter nigh on identical to those seen here.

The test guns are both Grade1 MK38 Mirokus but where this pairing differs is the 30” Trap comes complete with an adjustable stock whilst the Sporter’s undergone a factory Teague choke conversion. Apart from that both guns are as traditional as they come, even down to the minimalist packaging. 

Action Stations

In most respects the description of the Trap equates directly to the Sporter. The familiar, inertia set lockwork, trapdoor actions and top levers are lightly decorated with scroll work, wood to metal fit excellent as always. However the quality of timber does tend to be the Grade 1’s downfall, with both guns suffering from the lacquer finish that tends to resemble off cuts of kitchen work surfaces.

The main differences are the forends, the Sporter utilising the familiar Schnable design, the Trap a full Beaver. Likewise, whilst the former employs a typical sporter-type stock and medium radius grip, the latter comes complete with an adjustable comb and the more customary, hand-filling grip profile designed to anchor the firing hand firmly into position. The actions and furniture is completed with the usual high – quality, gloss black 3” chambered 30” barrels struck to Miroku’s universal standard.

Either Or

It was a baptism of fire for both the MK38’s, with Easter offering the chance to enter local competitions after a brief test at Rishton SG. Not something I’d normally do with guns I’d hardly shot before but the perfect environment to see if the old theory still worked. Having already ascertained that the Trap’s comb needed to be left in its lowest position, I elected to fit the ½ and ¼ Teagues to the Sporter so complimenting the other gun’s fixed Full and ¾ restrictions.

In the hands the differences do make themselves felt, the Trap weighs in at 8lbs 3oz compared to the 7lbs 10oz of the Sporter. Ironically it’s the latter gun that boasts the slightly longer barrels at 30½” with the extended Teagues fitted compared to the fixed Full and ¾ 30” barrels of the Trap although its 10mm vented rib seems noticeably wider than the Sporter’s 9mm, with this pair both exhibiting a fraction of muzzle heaviness.

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With the Trap’s comb at the lowest setting, both MK38s had an identical 1 7/8th drop at comb with a drop at heel of 1 1/16th on the Trap and 2 ¼” on the Sporter. Equally, with the adjustable trigger blade at the factory setting, once again both guns displayed an indistinguishable 14 13/16th and 4lbs 1oz length and weight of trigger pull, all of which enhances their beneficial similarities. The main difference is that as a Trap and a Sporter the two feel and handle differently.

Character Study

Once you’ve adjusted to the fact that the Trap shoots higher than the Sporter and is a physically slower gun to use, you’re in business. The Trap picks off its targets with minimal muzzle movement even on long crossers, the weight promoting considered placement. Whereas, the Sporter’s nature allows for both long tracking shots and rapid snaps at fast, close flyers, with the Teague tubes wringing every inch out of potential from the shot pattern. Individually their both excellent all-rounders, together there probably isn’t a target or a discipline beyond the realms of this pairing, the overall feel and shooting sensation inspiring confidence in both the guns and their capabilities.

Reason Why

If shooting the Trap explained one vital fact it’s the reason why so many top and older sporting shooters prefer this style of shotgun. Once you’ve worked out exactly where the gun places its shot and that the patterns are naturally tight, you’re accuracy automatically improves. With the style and weight of the MK38 Trap promoting smooth controlled swings. It also explains why a sporting shooter who normally shoots a trap gun annihilates their targets when once they’ve modified their style to suit a sporter.

Individually, both MK38’s exemplified why all Mirokus have earned their legendary reputation and constantly enjoyed the following they have. Together they form an almost unbeatable partnership with an ability to inspire confidence, their handling, balance and general feel as near natural as it gets. Fair enough the MK38 is a development of an old design but its one that worked back then and more than works now. If there’s anything that counts against them it’s in the looks department, Grade 1 is not especially inspirational when compared to the Grade 5 equivalents. However, if you are serious about your sport then you should be buying for performance with cosmetics a secondary and more minor consideration…

Also bear in mind though that the combined cost of both these MK38s still weighs in at considerably less than a single glamour model by other manufacturers. Please also remember than within a week of shooting them I claimed a third and two equal firsts in three competitions, placings that are usually reserved for my own custom built shotguns. There remains just one minor point though. By restricting the Trap’s barrel selector, Browning has in my opinion overstepped the mark by dictating how we should shoot a gun. It’s down to me which barrel I shoot first, not somebody sat in an office.

We Reckon!

• Two examples of why Mirokus are still some of the best
• Buy the pair together and save at least £300
• There isn’t a discipline you can’t win with these two

PRICE: Trap: £1,460 / Sporter: £1,575

  • Miroku MK38 Trap & Teague Sporter - image {image:count}

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  • Miroku MK38 Trap & Teague Sporter - image {image:count}

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  • Miroku MK38 Trap & Teague Sporter - image {image:count}

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  • Miroku MK38 Trap & Teague Sporter - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Miroku MK38 Trap & Teague Sporter - image {image:count}

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  • Miroku MK38 Trap & Teague Sporter - image {image:count}

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  • Miroku MK38 Trap & Teague Sporter - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Miroku MK38 Trap & Teague Sporter - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Miroku MK38 Trap & Teague Sporter - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Miroku MK38 Trap & Teague Sporter - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

gun
features

  • Name: Miroku MK38 Trap & Teague Sporter – Grade 1’s
  • Calibre: 12 – bore
  • Capacity: 2
  • Barrels: Trap 30” / Sporter 30½” inc extended chokes
  • Action: Break – barrel boxlock
  • Stock: Trap: adjustable comb & Beaver forend Sporter: Sporter with Schnabel forend
  • Weight: Trap: 8lbs 3oz / Sporter: 7lbs 10oz
  • Chokes: Trap: Fixed Full & ¾ / Sporter: Extended Teague & flush fit
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