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Miroku MK38 Trap Grade V

Miroku MK38 Trap Grade V

The MK 38 is an evolution of the Miroku over and under, itself a near copy of the Browning Superposed B25. The current Japanese gun traces its ancestry back to the old Miroku Models 6 and 800 which were similar, but had shorter actions with some still using V-springs, whereas all the modern examples are coil spring powered. Miroku were making these before they developed an association with Browning in the 1960s. The 800 was my first serious clay machine, I might add, it morphed into the 3800 skeet and trap which were very similar to the 38 I have here.

Now, the MK38 is available in various forms and the quality is as good as ever in all grades, perhaps better than some of the early production. There is more hand work in Mirokus than many guns. Each is still carefully pattern regulated before leaving the factory. All the guns in MK 38 line-up are now back-bored at about .740” compared to the old 12-bore English norm of .729”; now .728” due to metric shenanigans. Mirokus have been used by some of our best shots including Mark Marshall, Stuart Clarke, Carl Bloxham, John Dunn, Graham Stirzaker, Paddy Howe, Andy Moon, Kevin Mayor, Martin Elworthy, Ian Peel, Kevin Mayor and Pete Cole to name but some. Recently, Olympic hopeful and former European Champion, Steve Scott has been using one for double trap.


Remarkably Good Buy

Mirokus have a strong following of enthusiastic users. There is a good reason for this; they offer quality at real world prices. The Grade 1 guns are great value, but I don’t think you can buy more gun than the Grade V these days for an RRP of £2,610 which is hand-finished too. I am certainly biased in their favour and if you’re dumb you can pay double or triple for less quality. Before moving on to the test, I might note the Grade 1 MK 38 trap gun has a recommended price of only £1,350 in either 30 or 32” form, an adjustable stock boots this to £1,590, so not too bad… Oddly, Miroku trap guns are only available in Grade 1 or 5. The sporting stable mate, which has Invector Plus Teague chokes, comes in Grade 1, 3 and 5 at £1,495, £2,040 and £2,550 respectively. As you can see they’re all a remarkably good buy.

Now, for the test gun. It is a fixed choke (3/4 & Full) trap gun with a full comb, large but nice pistol grip and a beaver tail forend. The barrels are 32”, which is my favourite length for this model. It looks very good with excellent wood (which could have done with a bit more oil), tasteful scroll engraving on the silver-polished action and really deep, lustrous, blacking that is up to best gun standard. The trigger is elegantly shaped, solid and thankfully, plain steel.  Yes, I really like what is on offer and if you can afford the extra for the Grade V, it is money well spent.


Quite Big

When you bring the MK 38 to the shoulder it feels pointable and steady. It is no lightweight, hitting the scales at just over 8lbs. Because of the fixed chokes, there is not an excessive amount of weight forward. Which is why many people choose to ‘sporterise’ this model, which usually involves comb lowering and opening the chokes or getting Nigel Teague to work his magic on them. When I do this, as I have recently for my shooting buddy, Peter Jackson, I like to taper the comb a little too! Not too much – just enough so that it eases into the cheek on mounting and relieves the face slightly on recoil.

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The monobloc barrels are proofed for 2 ¾” cartridge, who needs 3” chambers on a competition gun and modestly back-bored at .740.” The chambers lead to traditionally short forcing cones (as both Miroku and Browning prefers). In a game gun, in which felt loads may be used, there might be something to be said for this build. On a cold day with fibre wads big bores and short cones can create pressure/obturation problems. On a competition gun, which is intended for use with plastic wad cartridges, my preference would be for longer cones to smooth the passage of the charge as it passes down the barrels. Short cones would, however, be ideal should the gun be used for high-bird work, as a good number of MK 38s are!

The action on the test gun needs little introduction. It is supremely reliable and the last creation of gunmaking genius John Moses Browning. He perfected it in the 1920s leaving his son to develop a single trigger – different to the one in use today after his death. It is about as well proven as any design could be and has been in production for over 80 years. The Browning design puts the lumps beneath the barrel and includes a full-width hinge pin which emerges from the action face to meet a full width bite beneath the bottom chamber mouth. Helical springs power the hammers. Miroku have only slightly modified the original concept as the action remains virtually identical, but does not have the cut-out in its belly for a forend lever as seen in Belgian B25s (but not Japanese-made Brownings). The forend on a Miroku (like that on Miroku-made Brownings) does not remain attached to the barrels on disassembly.


Well Oiled?

The stock was made from well figured wood and finished with traditional oil, but could have done with an extra coat or two to bring it to perfection (something a proud owner might easily do). The full pistol grip was excellent and even in depth I find this style is one which suits most people and is especially good for those with big hands. Other makers could do much worse than take this standard Browning/Miroku shape as their model. The length of pull was 14 7/8” with a 1”-deep curved and ventilated trap pad. The comb was quite high as befits a trap gun and had a little more taper to it than some other Mirokus of this build I have handled. There was a smidgen of cast for a right-hander (you never find much on Mirokus and Brownings). The chequering was well cut with neat, traditional borders. Combined with a good grip shape, it offered excellent purchase. The forend was adequate, but a little big for my taste; I like my hand to be closer to the barrels.


Shooting Impressions

This is good gun to shoot, but, though I have praised it considerably and deservedly so, I have to say that I have never shot especially well with the big Mirokus in recent years. I used to shoot my Model 800 trap to some good effect, though! This is personal thing, I know a lot of people who shoot them brilliantly. I certainly shoot the modern back-bored guns better than previous models because they feel softer in recoil. I also prefer 32” tubes over the 30” because of its increased pointability and precision. Let me make it clear; the MK38 is a great buy for someone who is not as recoil sensitive as I am. It really looks the business in Grade V form, and as discussed, it is very fairly priced and possibly one of the best buys on the market.

We Reckon:
Great classic design that is still viable today
A price that’s hard to beat
Top quality all round that won’t break the bank


My thanks to Eastern Sporting, Park Street Guns, Browning International, and, Lyalvale Express for supplying the cartridges used in this test.

PRICE: £2610 (£2860 with adjustable comb)

  • Miroku MK38 Trap Grade V - image {image:count}

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  • Miroku MK38 Trap Grade V - image {image:count}

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  • Miroku MK38 Trap Grade V - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Miroku MK38 Trap Grade V - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Miroku MK38 Trap Grade V - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Miroku MK38 Trap Grade V - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Miroku MK38 Trap Grade V - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

gun
features

  • Name: Miroku MK 38 Trap Grade V
  • Bore: 12
  • Chamber: 2 ¾ (70mm)
  • Barrels: 32” (30” option)
  • Rib: 10mm
  • Weight: 8lbs
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