Miroku · Rifle
Miroku ML22
Lever action · .22 Long Rifle · introduced 1970
Also known as ML-22, Browning BL-22
About the Miroku ML22
The Miroku ML22 is a Japanese-made lever-action rimfire rifle chambered in .22 Long Rifle (also accepting .22 Short and .22 Long). Built by Miroku in Kochi, it is mechanically identical to the Browning BL-22, which Miroku manufactures in the same factory. It is noted for an exceptionally short 33-degree lever throw that allows very fast follow-up shots, a 15-round tubular magazine, a 509 mm (20 in) barrel, and a walnut or maple stock. It has been a popular plinking and small-game rifle, especially in Australia.
Prized for its 33-degree short-throw lever, the ML22 can be cycled so fast that Australian rimfire shooters have used it for four decades as one of the quickest lever-action .22s available.
Miroku ML22 specifications
General
- Type
- Rifle
- Action
- Lever action
- Firing mechanism
- Hammer-fired
- Trigger
- Single stage
- Calibres
- .22 Long Rifle
- Magazine capacity
- 15 rounds
- Magazine
- Tubular magazine
Dimensions
- Barrel length
- 509 mm (20.0 in)
- Overall length
- 933 mm (36.7 in)
- Weight (empty)
- 2.27 kg (5.00 lb)
Barrel
- Rifling
- Right hand
Materials
- Barrel
- Steel
- Receiver / frame
- Steel
- Stock
- Wood
- Finish
- blued
Performance
- Muzzle velocity (typical)
- 330 m/s (1083 fps)
- Muzzle energy (typical)
- 141 J (104 ft·lb)
- Effective range
- 100 m
History
- Introduced
- 1970
- Production status
- In production
- Country of origin
- JP
Features
- Short throw lever
- Tubular magazine
- Exposed hammer
- Multi cartridge capability
Safety
- Half cock hammer
Sold under Miroku's own ML22 designation as well as branded for Browning as the BL-22; the two are the same rifle from the same production line. The tubular magazine holds 15 rounds of .22 LR, more of the shorter cartridges.
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