The Shooter’s Companion

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Miroku
MK38

A competition over-and-under in Sporter and Trap forms

MK38 Sporter TeagueMK38 TrapMiroku MK38

Drawing of a Miroku MK38 from the right: two vertically stacked barrels with extended choke tubes, a rib, a pale scroll-engraved action, one trigger, a pistol grip, a fixed comb, a recoil pad and a tulip fore-end.
Drawing: 12-bore Sporter Teague Grade 1, 30 in, right side

he Miroku MK38 is a competition offered in Sporter and forms.1, 2 The Sporter Teague has a grey nitrided with scroll .3 In its current Grade 1 form it has a pistol , a tulip and a Pachmayr pad.4 Its tubes extend beyond the muzzles, while the tubes on current Trap guns sit flush.5, 6

The MK38 action follows the Browning B25 but arranges the fore-end differently.7 On the Miroku a lifting latch releases the fore-end for disassembly.7 A Grade 3 Sporter on test had a single worked by inertia.8 The Competition II has an adjustable stock and an Olympic .9, 10

Specifications

12-bore · sporting

LockworkHelical mainsprings11, 12, 13
TriggerGrade 3 Sporter test: single selective, operated by inertia; Grade 5 Trap test: single non-selective11, 12, 13
Introducedby 200914, 15
Bore12-bore
Chambers76 mm (3 in)
Barrels30 in
ChokesInvector Plus Teague; removable; 3 tubes
Weight3.5 kg (7 lb 11 oz; catalogue, 30 in)

16 Compare specifications

Specifications

ConfigurationBoreChambersBarrels, inRib, mmFore-endGradeChoke systemWeightStockFinish
2009 test gun14, 15, 22, 2312-bore76 mm (3 in)302009 test gunTeague; removable; 5 tubes
Competition Ii Adjustable2412-bore76 mm (3 in)3010.0TrapCompetition Ii AdjustableInvector Plus Teague; removable; 5 tubes3.5 kg (7 lb 11 oz; catalogue, 30 in)Pistol grip; Trap fore-end; adjustable combGrey Nitrided action; MK 38 COMPETITION II engraving; wood grade American 5/6
Competition Ii Adjustable2512-bore76 mm (3 in)3210.0TrapCompetition Ii AdjustableInvector Plus Teague; removable; 5 tubes3.5 kg (7 lb 11 oz; catalogue, 32 in)Pistol grip; Trap fore-end; adjustable combGrey Nitrided action; MK 38 COMPETITION II engraving; wood grade American 5/6
Sporting
Sporting1612-bore76 mm (3 in)3010.0TulipSporter Teague Grade 1Invector Plus Teague; removable; 3 tubes3.5 kg (7 lb 11 oz; catalogue, 30 in)Pistol grip; Tulip fore-endGrey Nitrided action; Scroll engraving engraving; wood grade American 2/3
Sporting26, 2712-bore76 mm (3 in)3011Sporter Grade 3 AdjustableTeague Invector Plus; removable; 5 tubes3.86 kg (8 lb 8 oz; measured, 30 in)adjustable comb; 381 mm pull
Sporting2812-bore76 mm (3 in)3010Sporter Teague Grade 6Invector Plus Teague; removable; 3 tubes3.5 kg (7 lb 11 oz; catalogue, 30 in)
Sporting2812-bore76 mm (3 in)30, 3210Sporter Teague Grade 5Invector Plus Teague; removable; 3 tubes
Sporting2812-bore76 mm (3 in)30, 3210Sporter Teague Grade 3Invector Plus Teague; removable; 3 tubes
Sporting2812-bore76 mm (3 in)30, 3210Sporter Teague Grade 1Invector Plus Teague; removable; 3 tubes
Sporting2912-bore76 mm (3 in)3010.0TulipSporter Teague Grade 5Invector Plus Teague; removable; 3 tubes3.5 kg (7 lb 11 oz; catalogue, 30 in)Pistol grip; Tulip fore-endGrey Nitrided action; Scroll + hand finished engraving; wood grade American 5/6
Sporting3012-bore76 mm (3 in)3210.0TulipSporter Teague Grade 5Invector Plus Teague; removable; 3 tubes3.5 kg (7 lb 11 oz; catalogue, 32 in)Pistol grip; Tulip fore-endGrey Nitrided action; Scroll + hand finished engraving; wood grade American 5/6
Sporting3112-bore76 mm (3 in)3210.0TulipSporter Teague Grade 1Invector Plus Teague; removable; 3 tubes3.5 kg (7 lb 11 oz; catalogue, 32 in)Pistol grip; Tulip fore-endGrey Nitrided action; Scroll engraving engraving; wood grade American 2/3
Trap
Trap3212-bore70 mm (2¾ in)30, 3210Trap Grade 5 Adjustableadjustable comb
Trap3212-bore70 mm (2¾ in)30, 3210Trap Grade 5
Trap3212-bore70 mm (2¾ in)30, 3210Trap Grade 1 Adjustableadjustable comb
Trap3212-bore70 mm (2¾ in)30, 3210Trap Grade 1
Trap3312-bore70 mm (2¾ in)3010.0TulipTrap Grade 5Invector Plus; removable; 4 tubes3.5 kg (7 lb 11 oz; catalogue, 30 in)Pistol grip; Tulip fore-endGrey Nitrided action; As base model G5 engraving; wood grade American 6/7
Trap3412-bore70 mm (2¾ in)3210.0TulipTrap Grade 5Invector Plus; removable; 4 tubes3.5 kg (7 lb 11 oz; catalogue, 32 in)Pistol grip; Tulip fore-endGrey Nitrided action; As base model G5 engraving; wood grade American 6/7
Trap3512-bore70 mm (2¾ in)3010.0TulipTrap Grade 1Invector Plus; removable; 4 tubes3.5 kg (7 lb 11 oz; catalogue, 30 in)Pistol grip; Tulip fore-endGrey Nitrided action; As base model engraving; wood grade American 1
Trap3612-bore70 mm (2¾ in)3210.0TulipTrap Grade 1Invector Plus; removable; 4 tubes3.5 kg (7 lb 11 oz; catalogue, 32 in)Pistol grip; Tulip fore-endGrey Nitrided action; As base model engraving; wood grade American 1

Scroll for more columns.

Identify and date

The serial number is on the action frame under the .37 A mark on the barrel shows whether it has fixed chokes or takes Invector or Invector Plus tubes.38 The Competition II has MK 38 COMPETITION II on the receiver.10 Miroku marks the year of manufacture with Browning’s two-letter code, in which MV stands for 2005.39

WhereMarkings
Under the top leverSerial number40
BarrelFixed, Invector or Invector Plus choke-system marking41
ReceiverCompetition II: MK 38 COMPETITION II21

Before you buy

  1. Read the mark: Trap barrels in the earlier catalogue have 70 mm chambers, and Sporters 76 mm.2, 1
  2. Read the -system mark before buying replacement tubes; Invector and Invector Plus tubes do not interchange.38
  3. Count the tubes: the earlier catalogue lists three for the Sporter, and the 2009 test gun came with three extended and two standard tubes.1, 42
  4. Unload the gun before handling the chokes, and check that the tubes are tight.43, 44
  5. Check that the stock fits: in the earlier catalogue, Trap and Sporter stocks have different lengths and drops.2, 1
  6. On a Competition II, check the spare chokes, choke key, counterweights and tool against the equipment list.10

History

The MK38 grew out of Miroku’s 800 and 3800 Trap and models.45 The lighter 600 and 700 line became the MK60 and MK70 field guns.45 A British test of February 2009 describes a 30-inch MK38 with Teague tubes, and a test of March 2023 a Grade 3 Sporter with an adjustable comb and trigger.46, 47, 48, 49

Sources

  1. Miroku Hunting & Shooting legacy catalogue: model tables, mk38-sporter. Browning International. maker catalogue · Archive
  2. Miroku Hunting & Shooting legacy catalogue: model tables, mk38-trap. Browning International. maker catalogue · Archive
  3. MK38 SPORTER TEAGUE GRADE 1 12M, weight-and-finish. Miroku / Browning International. maker website · Archive
  4. MK38 SPORTER TEAGUE GRADE 1 12M, stock. Miroku / Browning International. maker website · Archive
  5. MK38 SPORTER TEAGUE GRADE 1 12M, barrels-and-chokes. Miroku / Browning International. maker website · Archive
  6. MK38 TRAP GRADE 1 12M, barrels-and-chokes. Miroku / Browning International. maker website · Archive
  7. Miroku MK38 Sporter review, action-and-barrel-construction. The Field, 2023-08-16. magazine · Archive
  8. Miroku MK38 Sporter review, tested-configuration. The Field, 2023-08-16. magazine · Archive
  9. MK38 COMPETITION II ADJUSTABLE 12M, stock. Miroku / Browning International. maker website · Archive
  10. MK38 COMPETITION II ADJUSTABLE 12M, weight-and-finish. Miroku / Browning International. maker website · Archive
  11. Miroku MK38 Sporter review, Action and barrel construction. The Field, 2023-08-16. magazine · Archive
  12. Miroku MK38 Sporter review, Tested configuration. The Field, 2023-08-16. magazine · Archive
  13. Miroku Mk38 Trap Grade 5 test, Test specification. Clay Shooter / Vic Harker, 2017-03-16. magazine · Archive
  14. Miroku Mk38 shotgun review, February 2009, Date. ShootingUK, 2009-02-11. magazine · Archive
  15. Miroku Mk38 shotgun review, February 2009, Model. ShootingUK, 2009-02-11. magazine · Archive
  16. MK38 SPORTER TEAGUE GRADE 1 12M, Variant 813007303. Miroku / Browning International. maker website · Archive
  17. MK38 SPORTER TEAGUE GRADE 1 12M, Weight and finish. Miroku / Browning International. maker website · Archive
  18. MK38 SPORTER TEAGUE GRADE 1 12M, Stock. Miroku / Browning International. maker website · Archive
  19. MK38 SPORTER TEAGUE GRADE 1 12M, Barrels and chokes. Miroku / Browning International. maker website · Archive
  20. MK38 COMPETITION II ADJUSTABLE 12M, Stock. Miroku / Browning International. maker website · Archive
  21. MK38 COMPETITION II ADJUSTABLE 12M, Weight and finish. Miroku / Browning International. maker website · Archive
  22. Miroku Mk38 shotgun review, February 2009, Barrels. ShootingUK, 2009-02-11. magazine · Archive
  23. Miroku Mk38 shotgun review, February 2009, Choke supply. ShootingUK, 2009-02-11. magazine · Archive
  24. MK38 COMPETITION II ADJUSTABLE 12M, Variant 813414303. Miroku / Browning International. maker website · Archive
  25. MK38 COMPETITION II ADJUSTABLE 12M, Variant 813414302. Miroku / Browning International. maker website · Archive
  26. Miroku MK38 Adjustable Sporter Grade 3 test, Configuration. Sporting Gun / Mike Yardley, 2023-03-13. magazine · Archive
  27. Miroku MK38 Adjustable Sporter Grade 3 test, Technical data. Sporting Gun / Mike Yardley, 2023-03-13. magazine · Archive
  28. Miroku Hunting & Shooting legacy catalogue: model tables, MK38 Sporter. Browning International. maker catalogue · Archive
  29. MK38 SPORTER TEAGUE GRADE 5 12M, Variant 813017303. Miroku / Browning International. maker website · Archive
  30. MK38 SPORTER TEAGUE GRADE 5 12M, Variant 813017302. Miroku / Browning International. maker website · Archive
  31. MK38 SPORTER TEAGUE GRADE 1 12M, Variant 813007302. Miroku / Browning International. maker website · Archive
  32. Miroku Hunting & Shooting legacy catalogue: model tables, MK38 Trap. Browning International. maker catalogue · Archive
  33. MK38 TRAP GRADE 5 12M, Variant 813003303. Miroku / Browning International. maker website · Archive
  34. MK38 TRAP GRADE 5 12M, Variant 813003302. Miroku / Browning International. maker website · Archive
  35. MK38 TRAP GRADE 1 12M, Variant 813001303. Miroku / Browning International. maker website · Archive
  36. MK38 TRAP GRADE 1 12M, Variant 813001302. Miroku / Browning International. maker website · Archive
  37. Miroku MK manual: identification and choke checks, serial-number. Miroku / Browning. manual · Archive
  38. Miroku MK manual: identification and choke checks, choke-systems. Miroku / Browning. manual · Archive
  39. Reading proof marks on guns, serial numbers and how to re-proof a gun, miroku-letter-codes. ShootingUK, 2022-11-30. magazine · Archive
  40. Miroku MK manual: identification and choke checks, Serial number. Miroku / Browning. manual · Archive
  41. Miroku MK manual: identification and choke checks, Choke systems. Miroku / Browning. manual · Archive
  42. Miroku Mk38 shotgun review, February 2009, choke-supply. ShootingUK, 2009-02-11. magazine · Archive
  43. Miroku MK manual: identification and choke checks, unloaded. Miroku / Browning. manual · Archive
  44. Miroku MK manual: identification and choke checks, tightness. Miroku / Browning. manual · Archive
  45. Miroku MK38 Sporter review, family-history. The Field, 2023-08-16. magazine · Archive
  46. Miroku Mk38 shotgun review, February 2009, date. ShootingUK, 2009-02-11. magazine · Archive
  47. Miroku Mk38 shotgun review, February 2009, model. ShootingUK, 2009-02-11. magazine · Archive
  48. Miroku MK38 Adjustable Sporter Grade 3 test, configuration. Sporting Gun / Mike Yardley, 2023-03-13. magazine · Archive
  49. Miroku MK38 Adjustable Sporter Grade 3 test, date. Sporting Gun / Mike Yardley, 2023-03-13. magazine · Archive

Revised