? on the model 1873 carbine rifle

MikeKPP · March 23, 2011, 11:31 AM

Was the 44/40 more common during the 1870s then the 45 LC on the 1873 carbine rifle.

shafter · March 23, 2011, 11:40 AM

I'm 99.9% sure that the Winchester 73 was never offered in 45 colt. That being said, when I get my '73 it will probably be in 45 colt anyway. Haven't decided yet though.

Hawg · March 23, 2011, 12:05 PM

The .45 Colt was never offered in any Winchester rifle till recently. The early balloon head cases had smaller weaker rims. If the extractor could catch it at all it would have been more likely to tear it open before it extracted the case.

denster · March 23, 2011, 12:34 PM

Hawg is correct in the historical aspect. The modern offerings in 45Colt are neat though and I like mine just because it means only one caliber to carry for both rifle and handgun. The 44/40 is a pain to load comparativley but does have an advantage as that bottle neck case seals the chamber better from blowback in to the action with moderate black powder loads. If black powder is what you shoot it is something to consider.

Hawg · March 23, 2011, 12:39 PM

Reloading the 44-40 does have a learning curve but once you get it down it's just as easy as anything else. The case neck does expand to fill the chamber so little fouling gets in the action. Leave a fired case chambered during cleaning the bore and you won't wash fouling into it.

March 23, 2011, 11:31 AM	#1
MikeKPP Junior Member Join Date: March 23, 2011 Posts: 8	? on the model 1873 carbine rifle Was the 44/40 more common during the 1870s then the 45 LC on the 1873 carbine rifle.

March 23, 2011, 11:40 AM	#2
shafter Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2009 Posts: 1,624	I'm 99.9% sure that the Winchester 73 was never offered in 45 colt. That being said, when I get my '73 it will probably be in 45 colt anyway. Haven't decided yet though.

March 23, 2011, 12:05 PM	#3
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	The .45 Colt was never offered in any Winchester rifle till recently. The early balloon head cases had smaller weaker rims. If the extractor could catch it at all it would have been more likely to tear it open before it extracted the case.

March 23, 2011, 12:34 PM	#4
denster Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 581	Hawg is correct in the historical aspect. The modern offerings in 45Colt are neat though and I like mine just because it means only one caliber to carry for both rifle and handgun. The 44/40 is a pain to load comparativley but does have an advantage as that bottle neck case seals the chamber better from blowback in to the action with moderate black powder loads. If black powder is what you shoot it is something to consider.

March 23, 2011, 12:39 PM	#5
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	Reloading the 44-40 does have a learning curve but once you get it down it's just as easy as anything else. The case neck does expand to fill the chamber so little fouling gets in the action. Leave a fired case chambered during cleaning the bore and you won't wash fouling into it.