Proto Concept C03 vs. Mirua KM 700

[Yoshimonster]

The Plan

Looking to upgrade irons and use them for a while.  😆😅😂   

 

The Problem

Not too many reviews and information on the two Japanese forged irons being considered.  

 

The Question

Anyone gaming these irons and have any word of advice? 

 

 

Edited August 8, 2022 by Yoshimonster

[NNJ]

@NerdyGolfercan help you out with some thoughts and explanations for the C03 (and the other proto C offerings, if you’re interested in the KM 700 you may also be a candidate for the C01).
 

He set me up with a set of the C05s (I wanted a bit more forgiveness) built perfectly to my specs and I couldn’t be happier, best feeling 2 piece forging I’ve ever tried.

The one thing I’ll add is that if it matters, the Proto Concepts will be a bit cheaper, but you’ll have to find a 4 iron you like.

 

Edited August 8, 2022 by NNJ

[NerdyGolfer]

@NNJ thanks for the tag!

 

@Yoshimonster happy to help out in any way! So many questions…

 

I’ll PM you as there’s much to go over 😊

 

also Proto concept makes a 4 iron, it will just be in the C07 head, not in the C01, 03 or 05 head.

 

and yes I agree with NNJ these are some of, if not, the best feeling (and accurate) irons I’ve ever played!

[Ger21]

15 hours ago, NNJ said:

The one thing I’ll add is that if it matters, the Proto Concepts will be a bit cheaper, but you’ll have to find a 4 iron you like.

 

C01.5

[Taz Kim]

i have not tried the proto concept irons but ive owned a few miuras in the past.  I absolutely love my km700s.  however looking at the 03 it will be more forgiving.  probably a better comparison would be pi 401 but at that point it wouldnt be the miura feel you were looking for.   

 

[MysteryV]

On 8/8/2022 at 11:45 AM, Yoshimonster said:

The Plan

Looking to upgrade irons and use them for a while.  😆😅😂   

 

The Problem

Not too many reviews and information on the two Japanese forged irons being considered.  

 

The Question

Anyone gaming these irons and have any word of advice? 

 

 

 

I'd recommend watching the recent TXG Review of the 01s.  To me, it didn't seem like they were big fans of the feel due to the titanium rod.  I'm not sure if the 03s / 05s have anything similar, but I'd recommend hitting them prior to buying.

 

With regards to your general question - I read it as Epon feel versus Miura feel.  Owning both and having hit both Miura 1008 and Epon AF302s in my sim for the last two hours - to me - the feel is night and day.  Miura (both my 1008 and BBs) are far more solid, firm feeling, while Endo forgings (Epons) are far, far softer and more muted.  

 

Personally, I go back and forth, but right now - prefer Mizuno feel over both as it sits between the two.  Probably Mizuno > Miura > Epon at the moment - but that could very well change tomorrow.  😄

 

 

[NNJ]

1 hour ago, MysteryV said:

 

With regards to your general question - I read it as Epon feel versus Miura feel.  Owning both and having hit both Miura 1008 and Epon AF302s in my sim for the last two hours - to me - the feel is night and day.  Miura (both my 1008 and BBs) are far more solid, firm feeling, while Endo forgings (Epons) are far, far softer and more muted.  

 

Personally, I go back and forth, but right now - prefer Mizuno feel over both as it sits between the two.  Probably Mizuno > Miura > Epon at the moment - but that could very well change tomorrow.  😄

 

 

While I definitely don’t disagree that you should hit them if you can, I will say that Proto-Cs definitely feel different (to me) than other endo forgings (you can find others saying this in the Proto-c thread as well, to me they feel a bit “denser”). Before my C05s, I had hand-me-down Miura Cb-57s and Srixon ZX5/7s, both from a friend who went on staff for his new job and got new clubs as a result (what a friend). My current set fits somewhere in between those two.
 

My C05s feel far more like a one-piece forging than the ZX5s (4 and 5 iron) do. The ZX7s are definitely a bit softer (if you want a pure melted stick of butter endo feel) and the Miuras are definitely denser. As some others on the forum have described, the Proto-c’s are somewhere in the middle, but in the best way possible - they feel soft, but they also feel super solid.

 

Re the 01s, while TXG seemed uncertain about the titanium bar, I think part of that stemmed from the fact that they liked a more solid feel in the center of blades and the bar almost created a cavity in the long irons.  If you are looking at musclebacks and cavity backs, and maybe want something in between (or are leaning toward cbs because of forgiveness but want to play a blade), then you may actually like the titanium bar as it distributes weight to the perimeter in the long irons (5-7).

 

either way, definitely hit it if you can, and whatever you get enjoy it, it will be good either way

Edited August 10, 2022 by NNJ

[golfalldaylong]

Are the KM-700’s more similar to MB-101, but with newer technology/feature?

 

I played Baby Blades, TC-201 and CB-301, but really curious about KM-700 - don’t want to spend the steep price yet, but eventually I will 🙂

[NerdyGolfer]

On 8/29/2022 at 9:10 PM, golfalldaylong said:

Are the KM-700’s more similar to MB-101, but with newer technology/feature?

 

I played Baby Blades, TC-201 and CB-301, but really curious about KM-700 - don’t want to spend the steep price yet, but eventually I will 🙂

This is old but it looks like no one ever responded to this. if you were still curious, I’d say the KM’s are closer to the MC-502’s. Sole is the same thickness but there’s a touch of toe relief and some have seen improved forgiveness here. Amazing looking irons though.
 

I’d ranks the clubs by easiest to hardest to hit like this:

MB-101

MC-502/KM-700

TC-202

CB-302

PI-401

 

Back to the Proto discussion, Id also disagree that the C03’s are like the PI-401’s. Here’s how I’d match up Miura to Proto Concept

 

MB-101 (no match on proto concept)

MC-502/KM-700 (matches C01)

TC-201 (matches C03)

CB-302 (is nearly IDENTICAL to C05, same sole, topline, length, etc)

PI-401 (matches C07)

 

hope that helps!

 

[golfalldaylong]

10 minutes ago, NerdyGolfer said:

This is old but it looks like no one ever responded to this. if you were still curious, I’d say the KM’s are closer to the MC-502’s. Sole is the same thickness but there’s a touch of toe relief and some have seen improved forgiveness here. Amazing looking irons though.
 

I’d ranks the clubs by easiest to hardest to hit like this:

MB-101

MC-502/KM-700

TC-202

CB-302

PI-401

 

Back to the Proto discussion, Id also disagree that the C03’s are like the PI-401’s. Here’s how I’d match up Miura to Proto Concept

 

MB-101 (no match on proto concept)

MC-502/KM-700 (matches C01)

TC-201 (matches C03)

CB-302 (is nearly IDENTICAL to C05, same sole, topline, length, etc)

PI-401 (matches C07)

 

hope that helps!

 

Thank you, these are great and helpful information.

 

In term of feel, how would you describe Miura vs. Proto Concept?

[NNJ]

12 minutes ago, golfalldaylong said:

Thank you, these are great and helpful information.

 

In term of feel, how would you describe Miura vs. Proto Concept?

It’s tough to put your finger on it exactly but I’ve played ZX7s, Proto Cs, and Miura CB-1007s (Japanese CB-57)

the Miura’s are the densest in terms of feel. The ZX7s are the softest, they have that true endo feel. The Proto C’s are in between in the best way possible. The strike feels solid like a Miura, but it’s softer. I can’t really explain better than that.

 

They’ve got a new set coming soon as well so will be interesting 

[NerdyGolfer]

4 minutes ago, NNJ said:

It’s tough to put your finger on it exactly but I’ve played ZX7s, Proto Cs, and Miura CB-1007s (Japanese CB-57)

the Miura’s are the densest in terms of feel. The ZX7s are the softest, they have that true endo feel. The Proto C’s are in between in the best way possible. The strike feels solid like a Miura, but it’s softer. I can’t really explain better than that.

 

They’ve got a new set coming soon as well so will be interesting 

Yeah this is a good way of explaining it @NNJ. It also depends on the model of Proto C you hit. The C01’s are S20C/S25C single piece forged, the C03’s are S20C single piece forged and the C05 and C07 are S25C body with a softer face two piece forged. They vary the materials based on how they are constructed, pretty cool. I’d put the C05 in anyone’s hands and if they told me it felt like a 2 piece forge they’d be lying to themselves. 

 

this differs heavily from Miura as most are single piece forged S20C. But their version of S20C to me is more dense and firm than an endo S20C. So this is where you see what NNJ was talking about. You get the best of both worlds…I super smooth iron with really great feedback.

 

This is picking at peanuts really…these are two high end Japanese brands and you can’t go wrong with either! Both have something for every golfer out there but Protos are slightly cheaper. In the end it all washes out anyways!

[NNJ]

9 minutes ago, NerdyGolfer said:

I’d put the C05 in anyone’s hands and if they told me it felt like a 2 piece forge they’d be lying to themselves. 

I have the C05s (full disclosure, Nerdy hooked me up), and the above statement is 100% true. If you told me it was a single piece and handed me the club I wouldn’t know any better. It’s really a great incorporation of tech into a club with this profile and feel.

[loosetooth]

Can anybody tell me what size shaft tip will fit in the Proto co7 4i?

[NerdyGolfer]

Just now, loosetooth said:

Can anybody tell me what size shaft tip will fit in the Proto co7 4i?

It’s taper (.355)