Browning 1886 VS Winchester 1886 45-70 cal.

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tgs989
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Browning 1886 VS Winchester 1886 45-70 cal.

Post by tgs989 »

I want to buy a 1886 45-70 to hunt with.I dont know which is the stronger/better of the two makers[Browing/Winchester] I know Browning does not have a Tang Safty or rebounding hammer,& I like this.However I like Winchesters break down models.Can anyone tell me if/were I could buy an upgraded Fancy stock for the 1886 45-70? Any advice on which is a better gun would be helpfull to me in buying one.I just joined this site & I have loved the lever action rifles since my first Marlin 39 at age 14yrs.I have several lever actions-but no 45-70's.Thanks-Tim.
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Re: Browning 1886 VS Winchester 1886 45-70 cal.

Post by Old Ironsights »

Unless you are comparing an Original Winny to a Modern Browning, they are the same gun in all respects except the "lawyering" the Winchester gets in its guts.

Otherwise, they are exactly the same strength, made with the same tooling on the same machines in the same plant in Japan.

I have a 2000 Winchester TD. I had all of the guts replaced with Browning parts and the safety covered with a tang sight.

In all honesty, for Hunting I prefer the Marlin 1895 Stainless Guide Gun, but the Win is sure cool.
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kimwcook
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Re: Browning 1886 VS Winchester 1886 45-70 cal.

Post by kimwcook »

What old ironsights said. You can buy a high grade buttstock and forend from Midwest Gun Works.

https://www.midwestgunworks.com/page/mg ... -gun-parts

P.S. - Welcome to the forum.
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Re: Browning 1886 VS Winchester 1886 45-70 cal.

Post by 1886 »

If you want a new Win. 86 and want to remove/replace the tang safety and rebounding hammer, Mike D. and others have done the necessary modifications. There is a link floating around detailing the work. I replaced my newer Winnies with the Browning version so as to avoid this work. Great guns. 1886.
tgs989
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Re: Browning 1886 VS Winchester 1886 45-70 cal.

Post by tgs989 »

Thank You Very Much.I learned something today.Can anyone tell me how I can find out how to change the Winchester Guts w/The Browning Guts Thanks-Tim.
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Re: Browning 1886 VS Winchester 1886 45-70 cal.

Post by 1886 »

tgs989 wrote:Thank You Very Much.I learned something today.Can anyone tell me how I can find out how to change the Winchester Guts w/The Browning Guts Thanks-Tim.
Mike D. where are you? 1886.
alnitak
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Re: Browning 1886 VS Winchester 1886 45-70 cal.

Post by alnitak »

Tim, I can't give you any input on Winchester vs. Browning, but I will say I love my Browning 1886 SRC...the fit and finish is a-one and it shoots like a dream.

Good luck in your choice.
Last edited by alnitak on Fri Oct 31, 2008 11:46 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Browning 1886 VS Winchester 1886 45-70 cal.

Post by Naphtali »

I've owned both. As far as I can determine, the mechanical difference between them is Browning's multiple-piece firing pin versus Winchester's one-piece version. That's it.

Hope this helps.
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kimwcook
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Re: Browning 1886 VS Winchester 1886 45-70 cal.

Post by kimwcook »

Go to the "One Sticky" towards the top of the page. There's a short tutorial.
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Re: Browning 1886 VS Winchester 1886 45-70 cal.

Post by Lastmohecken »

I switched all of my newer Winchesters to the older Brownings, to get rid of the rebounding hammer problems and misfiring issues, etc. Another bonus you get when switching to the Brownings is, normally you get a slicker action, too.
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Re: Browning 1886 VS Winchester 1886 45-70 cal.

Post by 86er »

I prefer the Winchester Miroku version for the easy set up with shotgun butt, and option of tang safety. I removed the rebounding feature and reduced the trigger pull to 3 lbs 8 oz. I use the tang safety only when loading and unloading. I have found the fore-end to be slimmer on the Win/Mir's than on the Browning. Either are very similar and high quality.
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Modoc ED
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Re: Browning 1886 VS Winchester 1886 45-70 cal.

Post by Modoc ED »

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71fan
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Re: Browning 1886 VS Winchester 1886 45-70 cal.

Post by 71fan »

tgs989 wrote:I want to buy a 1886 45-70 to hunt with.I dont know which is the stronger/better of the two makers[Browing/Winchester] I know Browning does not have a Tang Safty or rebounding hammer,& I like this.However I like Winchesters break down models.Can anyone tell me if/were I could buy an upgraded Fancy stock for the 1886 45-70? Any advice on which is a better gun would be helpfull to me in buying one.I just joined this site & I have loved the lever action rifles since my first Marlin 39 at age 14yrs.I have several lever actions-but no 45-70's.Thanks-Tim.
Are you looking at the full size octagons only? They are beautiful rifles...both makes. I trading my Browning rifle in on a Browning SRC due to the size and weight of the rifle. I guess it depends on your hunting situation. Also. I know a lot of folks here like the Winchester ELs, but a Takedown EL hasn't been offered yet by Miroku. If you want a takedown you have to go with the full size Winchester rifle, or perhaps cough up about $3k for this one:
http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.a ... =114823017
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Re: Browning 1886 VS Winchester 1886 45-70 cal.

Post by Hobie »

I got the Browning. I am NOT a fan of additional/non-traditional safeties. I am not a fan of the rebounding hammer. Otherwise there is little to no difference.

I will say that the correct terminology is "take-down" not "break-down". :wink:
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Re: Browning 1886 VS Winchester 1886 45-70 cal.

Post by tman »

i have a browning src. its an excellent shooting rifle. built like a tank. maybe the closest i ever get to a custom firearm; i like it that much :D
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