Hi and opinion on 1873's

mickb · June 15, 2017, 04:20 AM

Hi, my first post and looking to get my first lever gun. Wondered if anyone could assist. I am looking to get an 1873 as heard they were good actions for cowboy action shooting and performers in the field as well. Am looking at a 357 and prefer long barrels to keep blast away from my ears these days.

1. Is there much to separate a modern 24" winchester and similar in uberti?

2. I believe 38 special won't feed well in these. Does that mean won't feed at all, or just won't feed slickly for competition?

3.Is it realistic to handload a 357 subsonic load that runs safely in a 24" barrel? I'd also like to use this for plinking and pests on the farm, but don't want to risk bullets stukck in the barrel.

4. Being modern versions chambered for 357 I assume it will handle full power loads? I'd like to run a heavy hardcast for serious stuff.

5. its sacrilegous to put a scope on these but worst case can it be done?

6. Really weird one. But as I haven't used full power 357 in levergun, would pundits say its quieter than 30-30? what about a long barrel 12ga?

Thanks for any help. I am researching the above and any advice appreciated.

Centurion · June 15, 2017, 07:13 AM

Why not a Rossi Puma 357/38? Most of the answers for your list of questions will be yes...

Model12Win · June 15, 2017, 07:41 AM

I would buy a used (not new) Marlin 357 or Rossi if you're a CASman. You'll save a lot cash and have the better gun for the job.

mickb · June 15, 2017, 08:10 AM

I am after an 1873 I guess. I had heard rossi 92's much less favored than 1873's for CAS btw. I have handled a rossi and was not impressed with the functioning, though I heard they can often be worked on to get better. They are always slower though.

Trum4n1208 · June 15, 2017, 08:57 AM

I like the 1873, but for the average shooter in CAS, the difference in speed between an 1892 rifle and an 1873 won't be noticeable unless you're in the top percentage in regards to speed. Personally, I'd go for an 1860 Henry repro, 1866 repro, or an 1873 repro, but more for the historical factor. That, and I just think they look better than the 1892. But with an investment of time and effort, all of them will be good, reliable guns.

Centurion · June 15, 2017, 09:13 AM

But 1873s are far more sensitive to ammo OAL

mickb · June 15, 2017, 09:14 AM

Its funny and I shouldn't say it as the brand new guy(but then again who is actually new on the internet these days, I have about 20,000 posts across hunting rifle forums on the net as most of us do)
-But these days if you ask for help choosing between two types of steak, you invariably get told what you really need is a chicken dinner .

Ok back to accuratereloading.com I'll ask my buddies there to help with the actual questions I asked...

peace.

Hawg · June 15, 2017, 09:25 AM

The 73 is the preferred rifle for CAS and while they do make them in .357 the 73 is a toggle link action and I don't see them holding up with a steady diet of full house .357. Personally I would rather have a Uberti than a Miroku Winchester. As for the feeding I would just load .357 cases to .38 special pressures if it didn't reliably feed .38's. Having said that the Rossi 92 is a much stronger action.

Centurion · June 15, 2017, 09:39 AM

Totally agree with Hawg

Centurion · June 15, 2017, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickb

Its funny and I shouldn't say it as the brand new guy(but then again who is actually new on the internet these days, I have about 20,000 posts across hunting rifle forums on the net as most of us do)
-But these days if you ask for help choosing between two types of steak, you invariably get told what you really need is a chicken dinner .

Ok back to accuratereloading.com I'll ask my buddies there to help with the actual questions I asked...

peace.

Agree with you...but...why I told you to buy a 92 instead a 73? Below my answers:

1. Both are not as strong as a Rossi (92 action) or Marlin.

2. If the 73 is for 357 magnum, then it won't feed shorter 38 special ammo. So a 73 is not the way to go.

3. It is possible of course!

4. It will run 357s, but not a diet like a 92 or a Marlin will do.

5. It is a little more difficult to do so, a 92 or a Marlin would handle it better.

6. Even a hot 357 would have a mild recoil compared to a 30-30 and of course a 12 Ga. shotgun.

44 Dave · June 15, 2017, 12:06 PM

The Uberti '73 is closer to the original than the Miroku Winchester, to many "lawyer safety" changes.
Sounds as you load your own so you can keep the length to what your gun likes.
Would stay away from a 66. I have seen jams due to a telescoped round and the '73 is a snap to open up.

44caliberkid · June 15, 2017, 04:19 PM

I'd load the Snakebite Greasewagon Big Lube bullet over enough 3F black powder to slightly compress the charge. That solves all your questions and is a lot more fun. Uberti over the Miroku when we're talking 1873's. However, a Miroku 1892 would be my preference in that design.
And yes, you should be tarred and feathered for putting a scope on an 1873. If you need a scope, buy a Marlin Cowboy.

Hawg · June 15, 2017, 04:57 PM

Centurion, he doesn't want a 92 and as much as I like my 92 I'd rather have a 73.

Centurion · June 15, 2017, 05:20 PM

LOL!

And me? I only have an original 73 carbine! But considering its design limitations and what our colleague needs...I suggested the 92 or Marlin...

Hawg · June 15, 2017, 08:06 PM

Quote:

And me? I only have an original 73 carbine! But considering its design limitations and what our colleague needs...I suggested the 92 or Marlin...

Want always trumps need and people do not like it when you tell them what they want isn't what they need and they get really pissed when you try to shove it down their throats.

drobs · June 16, 2017, 01:04 PM

Not a competition shooter but I own a 357mag Rossi 92 and want a Uberti 1873 to go with it. Probably go with a different caliber for the 73 though.

This fella on GB is competition shooter who does an action job on most everything he sells. Might keep an eye on his auctions:

http://www.gunbroker.com/All/BI.aspx...Sellers=231623

Has a pretty 73 - 357 on there right now:
http://www.gunbroker.com/item/657021774

Jbar4Ranch · June 16, 2017, 01:11 PM

There's an animation here that starts at 0:52 that illustrates the problem with shooting .38's in a .357 toggle link rifle (1860, 1866, 1873)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNDRN_fjcDU

The rifles don't have a cartridge stop, so a round that is too short can lock up the action and keep the carrier from rising. Notice in the animation that as the carrier rises, it pushes the next cartridge in the mag tube back into the magazine slightly. The front of the carrier is beveled to allow this, but a round that is too short can extend far enough past the bevel onto the carrier to prevent the carrier from rising. In these rifles, the closer the loaded round is to the length of the carrier, the better, as the entire stack of ammo in the mag is pushed back into the tube every time the action is cycled.

I've never seen a scope on an 1873, and pictures I pull up in Google Images show vintage type Leatherwood units. I suppose it could be done, but it would have to be mounted quite high or offset to the side so the expended round could be reliably ejected out the top.

**4V50 Gary** · June 16, 2017, 01:38 PM

Thanks JBar4Ranch - that was a fun video.

June 15, 2017, 04:20 AM	#1
mickb Junior Member Join Date: June 14, 2017 Posts: 14	Hi and opinion on 1873's Hi, my first post and looking to get my first lever gun. Wondered if anyone could assist. I am looking to get an 1873 as heard they were good actions for cowboy action shooting and performers in the field as well. Am looking at a 357 and prefer long barrels to keep blast away from my ears these days. 1. Is there much to separate a modern 24" winchester and similar in uberti? 2. I believe 38 special won't feed well in these. Does that mean won't feed at all, or just won't feed slickly for competition? 3.Is it realistic to handload a 357 subsonic load that runs safely in a 24" barrel? I'd also like to use this for plinking and pests on the farm, but don't want to risk bullets stukck in the barrel. 4. Being modern versions chambered for 357 I assume it will handle full power loads? I'd like to run a heavy hardcast for serious stuff. 5. its sacrilegous to put a scope on these but worst case can it be done? 6. Really weird one. But as I haven't used full power 357 in levergun, would pundits say its quieter than 30-30? what about a long barrel 12ga? Thanks for any help. I am researching the above and any advice appreciated.

June 16, 2017, 01:04 PM	#16
drobs Senior Member Join Date: July 17, 2015 Location: South Central MO / Africa Posts: 1,111	Not a competition shooter but I own a 357mag Rossi 92 and want a Uberti 1873 to go with it. Probably go with a different caliber for the 73 though. This fella on GB is competition shooter who does an action job on most everything he sells. Might keep an eye on his auctions: http://www.gunbroker.com/All/BI.aspx...Sellers=231623 Has a pretty 73 - 357 on there right now: http://www.gunbroker.com/item/657021774 __________________ NRA Life Member

June 16, 2017, 01:11 PM	#17
Jbar4Ranch Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 1999 Location: Near Helena, Montana Posts: 1,719	There's an animation here that starts at 0:52 that illustrates the problem with shooting .38's in a .357 toggle link rifle (1860, 1866, 1873) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNDRN_fjcDU The rifles don't have a cartridge stop, so a round that is too short can lock up the action and keep the carrier from rising. Notice in the animation that as the carrier rises, it pushes the next cartridge in the mag tube back into the magazine slightly. The front of the carrier is beveled to allow this, but a round that is too short can extend far enough past the bevel onto the carrier to prevent the carrier from rising. In these rifles, the closer the loaded round is to the length of the carrier, the better, as the entire stack of ammo in the mag is pushed back into the tube every time the action is cycled. I've never seen a scope on an 1873, and pictures I pull up in Google Images show vintage type Leatherwood units. I suppose it could be done, but it would have to be mounted quite high or offset to the side so the expended round could be reliably ejected out the top. __________________ Sometimes the squeaky wheel gets replaced... SASS 47015

June 16, 2017, 01:38 PM	#18
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,832	Thanks JBar4Ranch - that was a fun video. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

June 15, 2017, 07:13 AM	#2
Centurion Senior Member Join Date: May 9, 2016 Posts: 270	Why not a Rossi Puma 357/38? Most of the answers for your list of questions will be yes...

June 15, 2017, 07:41 AM	#3
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	I would buy a used (not new) Marlin 357 or Rossi if you're a CASman. You'll save a lot cash and have the better gun for the job.

June 15, 2017, 08:10 AM	#4
mickb Junior Member Join Date: June 14, 2017 Posts: 14	I am after an 1873 I guess. I had heard rossi 92's much less favored than 1873's for CAS btw. I have handled a rossi and was not impressed with the functioning, though I heard they can often be worked on to get better. They are always slower though.

June 15, 2017, 08:57 AM	#5
Trum4n1208 Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2013 Posts: 173	I like the 1873, but for the average shooter in CAS, the difference in speed between an 1892 rifle and an 1873 won't be noticeable unless you're in the top percentage in regards to speed. Personally, I'd go for an 1860 Henry repro, 1866 repro, or an 1873 repro, but more for the historical factor. That, and I just think they look better than the 1892. But with an investment of time and effort, all of them will be good, reliable guns.

June 15, 2017, 09:13 AM	#6
Centurion Senior Member Join Date: May 9, 2016 Posts: 270	But 1873s are far more sensitive to ammo OAL

June 15, 2017, 09:14 AM	#7
mickb Junior Member Join Date: June 14, 2017 Posts: 14	Its funny and I shouldn't say it as the brand new guy(but then again who is actually new on the internet these days, I have about 20,000 posts across hunting rifle forums on the net as most of us do) -But these days if you ask for help choosing between two types of steak, you invariably get told what you really need is a chicken dinner . Ok back to accuratereloading.com I'll ask my buddies there to help with the actual questions I asked... peace.

June 15, 2017, 09:25 AM	#8
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	The 73 is the preferred rifle for CAS and while they do make them in .357 the 73 is a toggle link action and I don't see them holding up with a steady diet of full house .357. Personally I would rather have a Uberti than a Miroku Winchester. As for the feeding I would just load .357 cases to .38 special pressures if it didn't reliably feed .38's. Having said that the Rossi 92 is a much stronger action.

June 15, 2017, 09:39 AM	#9
Centurion Senior Member Join Date: May 9, 2016 Posts: 270	Totally agree with Hawg

June 15, 2017, 12:06 PM	#11
44 Dave Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2013 Posts: 584	The Uberti '73 is closer to the original than the Miroku Winchester, to many "lawyer safety" changes. Sounds as you load your own so you can keep the length to what your gun likes. Would stay away from a 66. I have seen jams due to a telescoped round and the '73 is a snap to open up.

June 15, 2017, 04:19 PM	#12
44caliberkid Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2017 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,098	I'd load the Snakebite Greasewagon Big Lube bullet over enough 3F black powder to slightly compress the charge. That solves all your questions and is a lot more fun. Uberti over the Miroku when we're talking 1873's. However, a Miroku 1892 would be my preference in that design. And yes, you should be tarred and feathered for putting a scope on an 1873. If you need a scope, buy a Marlin Cowboy.

June 15, 2017, 04:57 PM	#13
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	Centurion, he doesn't want a 92 and as much as I like my 92 I'd rather have a 73.

June 15, 2017, 05:20 PM	#14
Centurion Senior Member Join Date: May 9, 2016 Posts: 270	LOL! And me? I only have an original 73 carbine! But considering its design limitations and what our colleague needs...I suggested the 92 or Marlin...