Miroku MK38 shotgun review

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Miroku MK38 shotgun review

This Miroku MK38 Teague shotgun produces top quality patterns.

By Miroku MK38 shotgun

Tuesday, 27 October 2009

Miroku MK38 Teague shotgun review: The Miroku MK38 shotgun kicks less and patterns better than its predecessors.

Miroku MK38 shotgun review
Anyone looking to buy an affordable Sporter with a proven track record would be silly to ignore Miroku’s MK38.

It’s well built, reliable, nicely balanced, competitive yet only costs £1,300 in basic grade.

It can't be described as a new gun but it’s worthy of another once over here following a series of steady improvements which have seen it booted and suited with an upgraded multi-choke system, back bored barrels to reduce recoil and the addition of three-inch chambers.

MIROKU MK38 SHOTGUN TEAGUE SPORTER

Back in the 1970s Sporting shooters were pretty much restricted to using Skeet and Game guns but some felt they could be more competitive with long-barrelled trap guns.

Soon they were flattening off the stock on the standard Miroku 3800 trap gun to make it shoot to the point of aim, rather than high.

At the same time, the chokes were opened out from ¾ and full to something more suitable for Sporting ranges. Yet it wasn’t until the Miroku MK60 and MK70 Sporters arrived back in the 1980s that the MK38 actually saw light of day.

MIROKU MK38 SHOTGUN TEAGUE SPORTER

The fact that it did was down to strong demand among a number of shooters for a responsive but slightly heavier and steadier gun for Sporting.

Miroku managed this by putting a Sporter stock onto what, in effect, was a trap action and barrels. In fact they simply made the stock to the same dimensions as the MK60 and 70 Sporters – 14.7/8in length of pull, drops at comb and heel of 1.1/2in and 2.1/4in along with a slight cast at heel.

The latest MK38 sticks to those dimensions and it still comes in 30in or 32in barrel lengths with 10mm ventilated top rib.

MIROKU MK38 SHOTGUN TEAGUE SPORTER

What has changed are the barrels which are now back bored to 18.8mm and fitted with the Browning Invector Plus choke system - yet you’re probably wondering why the gun is called the MK38 Sporter Teague.

It would be something of a misconception to think the chokes have been fitted by Nigel Teague. They haven’t; Nigel’s name has been put on the gun because he helped develop the choke tubes supplied with it.

This MK38 comes with three Teague chokes, two Browning-style flush fit tubes and keys to fit both designs.

MIROKU MK38 SHOTGUN TEAGUE SPORTER

Overall weight of the gun is 8lb 2oz but the excellent balance of the gun hides its weight very well.

JASON’S VERDICT

This gun is already a proven winner. It’s very well balanced, steady to shoot and produces top quality patterns thanks to the chokes and boring.

My only criticism is that it’s high time Miroku put their guns into ABS travel cases - you can spend a lot less on a gun than this and it will come in an ABS case as standard.

MIROKU MK38 SHOTGUN TEAGUE SPORTER

The Grade One model is a bit of a ‘grey’ gun and scores accordingly under styling however that mark would be a lot higher for the much nicer looking Grade Three or Five.

Build quality 22/25

Handling 20/25

Styling 15/25

Value for Money 22/25

TOTAL 79/100