Uberti Rifles

kst8fan · January 14, 2013, 09:24 PM

I have been eyeing these rifles for some time now and I must say they have to be some of the nicest looking lever actions on the market. I especially like the 1873 line. The 1873 short in 357 mag I would say is my favorite. The problem is I have not had the privilege of handling one of these rifles because no dealer in my area carries them. Problem #2 is they are expensive. Even though they seem to be of high quality, I hate to order one sight unseen. Anyone have any experience with these rifles? I'm not into cowboy action shooting, I'm just an avid gun collector looking to add a quality lever action to the collection. The rifle would see plenty of range time as well as a little hunting. Any info on Uberti rifles you could give me would be appreciated. Also how do they compare to the Japan made Winchesters?

Deja vu · January 14, 2013, 09:49 PM

They are sure pretty rifles. I love the looks of a 73. The down side is that I hear they are not meant for shooting the hotter hunting loads. I dont know if this is true but that would disqualify them for me. When I hunt with my 357 magnum carbine I often load it with Buffalo Bore 158 grain bullets. Id rather not have the bolt take out my eye.

If I am wrong please correct me. I would love to own a 1873, In my opinion the Uberti 1873s are some of the best looking rifles I have ever seen!

DnPRK · January 14, 2013, 11:03 PM

I've got a 24" rifle in 44-40 and a 20" carbine in 38-40. Both function nicely. I'm not sure I'd trust a toggle action to be durable with a high pressure load.

kst8fan · January 15, 2013, 04:44 PM

I haven't head this about their actions and the hot hunting loads. I will definitely check into it. Thanks for the info.

Dfariswheel · January 15, 2013, 06:59 PM

The Uberti 1873 replicas are not intended for use with hot ammo. It might not harm them to shoot just a few rounds, but the design is simply not up to it.
The original design started with the Henry rifles of the early 1860's and goes as far back as the Volcanic rifles and pistols of the 1850's.

The Uberti 1873 rifles are magnificent very close replicas of the original Winchester rifles with the only real divergence being the striker assembly and the use of a coil spring and ball bearing to power the sliding receiver cover.
None of this can be seen from outside the rifle.
The new Japanese made Winchester 1873 has a striker assembly that's quite different and may have other differences from the original or the Uberti versions.

If you want an authentic Winchester type lever rifle you can shoot hotter ammo in, buy an 1892 type rifle. These are offered by several companies including the South American Rossi, one Italian company, and I think Winchester offers a Japanese made version.

Hammerhead · January 17, 2013, 11:02 PM

The toggle link design just doesn't have the strength of later designs like the 1892.
Handsome guns though. I shot one in .44 WCF. Very smooth action, effortless really. The top ejection was rather weak, but worked reliably. Good for the handloader, you don't have to look far for your brass.
With the elevator design 1866's and 1873's receivers are about three inches longer and heavier than more modern designs.
Also the elevator design requires cartridge length to be within a narrow window. No long SWC's or short .38's.
The Italian replicas have good reputations amongst the cowboy crowd.

Crunchy Frog · January 18, 2013, 07:54 PM

I have a Uberti '73 short rifle that I use for cowboy action.

Is the JM Browning-designed 1892 a stronger action than the toggle link 1873? No question.

Would I shoot full power (SAAMI spec) .357 magnum ammo in my Uberti '73? All day long and would not think twice about it.

C7AR15 · January 19, 2013, 04:56 PM

I was handling a Henry Big Boy rifle yesterday in the store.
It is a Lever action available in .357, .45Colt, 44 Mag
What a nice gun Brass/alloy receiver , Octagon BBL , Great stock
and.......Made in America (New Jersy)
The gun I handled was a .45Colt - I would have bought it in an instant if it
was .44Mag. Price $850 CDN

They are High quality in all aspects and they are accurate too.(so I was told)

Check them out, you won't be disappointed- even if you order it "Blind"

Malamute · January 20, 2013, 11:11 PM

Quote:

...Id rather not have the bolt take out my eye...

Has any 73 bolt ever taken anyones eye out under any circumstances?

The Ubertis are very good rifles. The Miroku made Winchesters are outstanding rifles. The new 73 has the same half cock hammer as the originals, unlike some of the other models that had different actions, like rebounding hammers and tang safeties.

January 14, 2013, 09:24 PM	#1
kst8fan Senior Member Join Date: August 22, 2011 Location: WILDCAT COUNTRY!! Posts: 208	Uberti Rifles I have been eyeing these rifles for some time now and I must say they have to be some of the nicest looking lever actions on the market. I especially like the 1873 line. The 1873 short in 357 mag I would say is my favorite. The problem is I have not had the privilege of handling one of these rifles because no dealer in my area carries them. Problem #2 is they are expensive. Even though they seem to be of high quality, I hate to order one sight unseen. Anyone have any experience with these rifles? I'm not into cowboy action shooting, I'm just an avid gun collector looking to add a quality lever action to the collection. The rifle would see plenty of range time as well as a little hunting. Any info on Uberti rifles you could give me would be appreciated. Also how do they compare to the Japan made Winchesters? __________________ K............S............U.............WILDCATS!!!!!!!!! Last edited by kst8fan; January 15, 2013 at 05:38 AM.

January 15, 2013, 04:44 PM	#4
kst8fan Senior Member Join Date: August 22, 2011 Location: WILDCAT COUNTRY!! Posts: 208	I haven't head this about their actions and the hot hunting loads. I will definitely check into it. Thanks for the info. __________________ K............S............U.............WILDCATS!!!!!!!!!

January 19, 2013, 04:56 PM	#8
C7AR15 Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2011 Location: Burnaby Posts: 260	Not Uberi.... I was handling a Henry Big Boy rifle yesterday in the store. It is a Lever action available in .357, .45Colt, 44 Mag What a nice gun Brass/alloy receiver , Octagon BBL , Great stock and.......Made in America (New Jersy) The gun I handled was a .45Colt - I would have bought it in an instant if it was .44Mag. Price $850 CDN They are High quality in all aspects and they are accurate too.(so I was told) Check them out, you won't be disappointed- even if you order it "Blind"

January 14, 2013, 09:49 PM	#2
Deja vu Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2010 Location: Border of Idaho & Montana Posts: 2,584	They are sure pretty rifles. I love the looks of a 73. The down side is that I hear they are not meant for shooting the hotter hunting loads. I dont know if this is true but that would disqualify them for me. When I hunt with my 357 magnum carbine I often load it with Buffalo Bore 158 grain bullets. Id rather not have the bolt take out my eye. If I am wrong please correct me. I would love to own a 1873, In my opinion the Uberti 1873s are some of the best looking rifles I have ever seen! __________________ Shot placement is everything! I would rather take a round of 50BMG to the foot than a 22short to the base of the skull. all 26 of my guns are 45/70 govt, 357 mag, 22 or 12 ga... I believe in keeping it simple. Wish my wife did as well...

January 14, 2013, 11:03 PM	#3
DnPRK Senior Member Join Date: August 24, 2001 Location: LC, Ca Posts: 1,917	I've got a 24" rifle in 44-40 and a 20" carbine in 38-40. Both function nicely. I'm not sure I'd trust a toggle action to be durable with a high pressure load.

January 15, 2013, 06:59 PM	#5
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	The Uberti 1873 replicas are not intended for use with hot ammo. It might not harm them to shoot just a few rounds, but the design is simply not up to it. The original design started with the Henry rifles of the early 1860's and goes as far back as the Volcanic rifles and pistols of the 1850's. The Uberti 1873 rifles are magnificent very close replicas of the original Winchester rifles with the only real divergence being the striker assembly and the use of a coil spring and ball bearing to power the sliding receiver cover. None of this can be seen from outside the rifle. The new Japanese made Winchester 1873 has a striker assembly that's quite different and may have other differences from the original or the Uberti versions. If you want an authentic Winchester type lever rifle you can shoot hotter ammo in, buy an 1892 type rifle. These are offered by several companies including the South American Rossi, one Italian company, and I think Winchester offers a Japanese made version.

January 17, 2013, 11:02 PM	#6
Hammerhead Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,432	The toggle link design just doesn't have the strength of later designs like the 1892. Handsome guns though. I shot one in .44 WCF. Very smooth action, effortless really. The top ejection was rather weak, but worked reliably. Good for the handloader, you don't have to look far for your brass. With the elevator design 1866's and 1873's receivers are about three inches longer and heavier than more modern designs. Also the elevator design requires cartridge length to be within a narrow window. No long SWC's or short .38's. The Italian replicas have good reputations amongst the cowboy crowd.

January 18, 2013, 07:54 PM	#7
Crunchy Frog Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2008 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 591	I have a Uberti '73 short rifle that I use for cowboy action. Is the JM Browning-designed 1892 a stronger action than the toggle link 1873? No question. Would I shoot full power (SAAMI spec) .357 magnum ammo in my Uberti '73? All day long and would not think twice about it.