doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com BC Miroku Model 500 - Questions

Saw a 12 gauge 28 inch mod/full BC Miroku sxs at a gun show on Saturday. Double triggers with extractors in near perfect condition (some minor handling marks on the wood). Beavertail and pistol grip. Decent dimensions to a plastic buttplate. My only complaint about the gun was that the checkering had been largely filled in by the finish, but that's relatively easy and cheap to fix.

Couple of questions:

1. Is $395 a fair price? I've never seen one before and my first impression was that it was a lot of shotgun for that kind of money. Given that Stevens and Fultons in similar shape are seeing even higher asking prices, I thought this might be a sleeper.

2. Anything to watch out for on these? I recall Miroku made shotguns for a number of US brands that seem to have pretty good reputations. Given double triggers and extractors, there doesn't seem to be a lot that could go wrong, but I thought I'd ask.

3. Steel compatible? If I bought it, I'd use it as a pheasant/duck gun.

Thanks.

I see tham for more in the $750 neighborhood. $395 sounds like a very good price.
I doubt they were made with the steel BS in mind. The chokes are probably too tight, even if the barrel steel will stand the steel shot. Someone else can tell us what he knows about steel compatability.
The checkering being full of finish sounds like some clod sprayed it full, after leaving the factory.
I have had some of them and wouldn't hesitate to buy another, if it feels good in your hands.

As you describe it, that price is very reasonable! I would look it over carefully for you don't usually see prices that low at gun shows. Mirokus are nearly the same as Browning BSSs except the BSS usually has a single trigger and they bring prices of $1000. or more. A nice Miroku sold on this site for $500. not long ago and that was a fair price in my opinion. The Miroku is not considered steel shot compatible, but some shoot steel out of them anyway with open chokes.

My Daly Miroku 500 12ga is my dedicated steelshot gun. I paid a seller on this site $650 for it 3 or 4 years ago and felt like I got my moneys worth. It had started out as a 28" with full and modified chokes like the one you saw, but someone, maybe Jim Legg (I think he claimed it once), had opened the chokes to IC and Mod, installed a 'magnum' recoil pad and oil finished the wood before I got it. Trouble free gun...Geo

$395 is downright cheap, and that gun is a no-brainer even if you don't really need it. As long as the chokes are open enough and you use the right length shells, steel is OK in these. The Miroku (and Daly) 500 tends to be lighter than the somewhat comparable BSS, so you will feel the recoil with duck loads. Probably the best value going for utilitarian SxS's, and very reliable.

Sounds like a steal at that price.

Again, great gun. I wouldnt shoot steel in it, afraid I would pop the ribs.

Grab it and run. The steel used in the BSS is much tougher than the Belgian Brownings per gun guru at Browning.

Would also apply for Mirokus as Miroku made the BSS.

I agree it's a good gun at a good price. A friend bought one last year for $450 in good condition and really likes it. As Replacement said, it's the same gun as the Charles Daly 500, but with double triggers. The chopperlump barrels impressed me. I would be careful of steel with the tight chokes. Open them or install steel compatible screw in chokes.

I would buy it in a heart beat! I love 2 triggers for one thing. If you don't buy it, tell me how I can get it.