Question about 73 winchesters

Race Bannon · January 15, 2013, 01:19 AM

I have an Italian made Henry rifle with an 18 inch barrel in 45 Colt. I really like the gun, but the new Cimarron saddle shorty has caught my eye. I'm not into cowboy action shooting, I just think my short Henry is an incredibly handy rifle and would like a '73 with a similar feel. I have no experience with '73s. Would it be lighter, heavier etc?

Also, if I got one in .357, would it be significantly heavier, could it handle most off the shelf .357 and is that a better general purpose rifle round than .45 Colt?

Thanks in advance.

MJN77 · January 15, 2013, 05:09 AM

Quote:

I have an Italian made Henry rifle with an 18 inch barrel in 45 Colt. I really like the gun, but the new Cimarron saddle shorty has caught my eye. I'm not into cowboy action shooting, I just think my short Henry is an incredibly handy rifle and would like a '73 with a similar feel. I have no experience with '73s. Would it be lighter, heavier etc?

Also, if I got one in .357, would it be significantly heavier, could it handle most off the shelf .357 and is that a better general purpose rifle round than .45 Colt?

Thanks in advance.

The 73 would be slightly lighter in a bigger caliber (.44/.45), but heavier in a .357. All Uberti rifles are made to use off the shelf ammo. As for what caliber to get, it would just be a personal choice. Both the .45 and .357 have an effective range of 100 yards give or take a few.

thickice · January 15, 2013, 11:46 AM

That 18" Henry is not common, could you post a picture of it? How many does it hold in the magazine?

harley_davis · January 15, 2013, 01:13 PM

The '73 Short Rifle is probably going to be close the same weight & handling charcteristics as the Henry. Easier to use in some ways since you do not have the cartridge follower to contend with for the last couple of shots nor do you have the hot barrel issue as you do with the Henry. Keep in mind that the toggle link action was designed for the lower pressure BP cartridges in use in the 1800's and so, not a good idea to use modern hot loads in them (ie: .357 Magnum). Might be better to use Cowboy Action loads for these style lever guns for safety reasons. As to caliber, I love the .45 Colt and IMHO would be my choice. Also, modern off the shelf .45 Colt ammo is made knowing that most weapons chambered for this round are (1) old Single Actions or modern repros thereof (2) toggle link lever guns and so, I would think would be plenty safe to fire. But that is just my opinion, I am not a gunsmith or "expert" in firearms pressures.

MJN77 · January 15, 2013, 05:16 PM

All Uberti guns including toggle link rifles, brass or steel frames, are made to use SAAMI spec (off the shelf) ammo. .357 or not. Just no +p or hot loads. Any one that tells you differently is misinformed. If you don't believe me, call Uberti. Phone: (301) 283-698 or (800) 264-4962
Uberti even just released a 1873 carbine in .44 magnum. Yes it is a toggle link gun.
http://www.uberti.com/firearms/1873-...nd-carbine.php

harley_davis · January 15, 2013, 06:11 PM

I will stand corrected in terms of what Uberti indicates is safe for their rifles. This article gives pretty good detail on specifics for the toggle link rifles in terms of pressures etc from someone better informed that I.
http://www.leverguns.com/articles/pa...ltlevergun.htm
'Nuff said on the subject from my end.

Race Bannon · January 15, 2013, 08:57 PM

Thanks for all the information.

The requested photo:

18 inch Henry with Model 94 for comparison. This Henry holds nine rounds of 45 Colt.

January 15, 2013, 01:19 AM	#1
Race Bannon Member Join Date: February 26, 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 21	Question about 73 winchesters I have an Italian made Henry rifle with an 18 inch barrel in 45 Colt. I really like the gun, but the new Cimarron saddle shorty has caught my eye. I'm not into cowboy action shooting, I just think my short Henry is an incredibly handy rifle and would like a '73 with a similar feel. I have no experience with '73s. Would it be lighter, heavier etc? Also, if I got one in .357, would it be significantly heavier, could it handle most off the shelf .357 and is that a better general purpose rifle round than .45 Colt? Thanks in advance.

January 15, 2013, 01:13 PM	#4
harley_davis Junior Member Join Date: January 14, 2013 Location: Southern Minnesota Posts: 6	The '73 Short Rifle is probably going to be close the same weight & handling charcteristics as the Henry. Easier to use in some ways since you do not have the cartridge follower to contend with for the last couple of shots nor do you have the hot barrel issue as you do with the Henry. Keep in mind that the toggle link action was designed for the lower pressure BP cartridges in use in the 1800's and so, not a good idea to use modern hot loads in them (ie: .357 Magnum). Might be better to use Cowboy Action loads for these style lever guns for safety reasons. As to caliber, I love the .45 Colt and IMHO would be my choice. Also, modern off the shelf .45 Colt ammo is made knowing that most weapons chambered for this round are (1) old Single Actions or modern repros thereof (2) toggle link lever guns and so, I would think would be plenty safe to fire. But that is just my opinion, I am not a gunsmith or "expert" in firearms pressures. __________________ Harley Davis NCOWS #C31, SASS #3740 Fifth Minnesota Infantry, New Ulm Battery Old West Regulators/Minnesota Last edited by harley_davis; January 15, 2013 at 02:00 PM.

January 15, 2013, 05:16 PM	#5
MJN77 Senior Member Join Date: April 27, 2009 Location: on a hill in West Virginia Posts: 789	All Uberti guns including toggle link rifles, brass or steel frames, are made to use SAAMI spec (off the shelf) ammo. .357 or not. Just no +p or hot loads. Any one that tells you differently is misinformed. If you don't believe me, call Uberti. Phone: (301) 283-698 or (800) 264-4962 Uberti even just released a 1873 carbine in .44 magnum. Yes it is a toggle link gun. http://www.uberti.com/firearms/1873-...nd-carbine.php Last edited by MJN77; January 15, 2013 at 05:23 PM.

January 15, 2013, 06:11 PM	#6
harley_davis Junior Member Join Date: January 14, 2013 Location: Southern Minnesota Posts: 6	I will stand corrected in terms of what Uberti indicates is safe for their rifles. This article gives pretty good detail on specifics for the toggle link rifles in terms of pressures etc from someone better informed that I. http://www.leverguns.com/articles/pa...ltlevergun.htm 'Nuff said on the subject from my end. __________________ Harley Davis NCOWS #C31, SASS #3740 Fifth Minnesota Infantry, New Ulm Battery Old West Regulators/Minnesota

January 15, 2013, 11:46 AM	#3
thickice Member Join Date: December 15, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 69	That 18" Henry is not common, could you post a picture of it? How many does it hold in the magazine?