The Win 1873?

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pneuby
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The Win 1873?

Post by pneuby »

A young man on U-Lube recently put out a ' Top 5 Rifles for H/D' type video. His 5th place was a levergun, surprising enough, but he uses an 1873.
Since I've never handled one, what would be some reasons why one would do so over the latter designs.
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J Miller
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Re: The Win 1873?

Post by J Miller »

I looked up and watched the video. He pretty much answered your question in his first sentence when he said the 73 carbine was one of his favorites.

I've fired a bunch of lever guns and although the 73 wouldn't be my first choice, I don't see any thing wrong with it.

Joe
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Ray
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Re: The Win 1873?

Post by Ray »

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Last edited by Ray on Thu Jun 09, 2022 12:14 am, edited 1 time in total.
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44shooter
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Re: The Win 1873?

Post by 44shooter »

Although big and heavy for its cartridges by modern standards, the 1873 has buttery smooth cycling and reliable straight line feeding. Pretty good looking as well
M. M. Wright
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Re: The Win 1873?

Post by M. M. Wright »

Look up and watch some videos of SASS shooters running their 73s during a match. Top competitors use 38/357 but they are just so much smoother than 92s the caliber doesn't matter. You can add a short stroke kit, aluminum lifter and whisper springs to make it almost effortless to operate. No, it won't tolerate high pressure loads but the 44 WCF with a case full of fffg will reliably fill your freezer as my SRC from 1885 does for me.
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pneuby
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Re: The Win 1873?

Post by pneuby »

Wow, OK. The top-two are better feed reliability and smoother action. Are they at all less mechanically complicated, or on-par with the latter designs?
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Griff
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Re: The Win 1873?

Post by Griff »

RNs feed well, SWC or full Wad cutters, not so much. The action is far less complicated than the 1892. But... in stock form, the 1892 has the shorter lever throw, and even the Rossi with an action job to lighten up its over-sprung springs is a smooth, easy to operate, handy lil' gun. Both operate best with round flat nose projectiles.

For knockin' off zombies at the gate, a long gun in a "pistol" cartridge makes sense, but once your attacker moves inside with you, give me the handgun!
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mickbr
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Re: The Win 1873?

Post by mickbr »

Id say he listed 73 as an example of leverguns just as he owns one. I dont see there being a practical case for 73 over any other lever for HD.
pneuby
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Re: The Win 1873?

Post by pneuby »

You do have a point there, Mick.
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Bryan Austin
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Re: The Win 1873?

Post by Bryan Austin »

One purchases and shoots a Winchester 73' (44-40) because he has a love for the design, history and nostalgia.

The Winchester 73', when loaded properly, can certainly hold it's own out to 250 yards. Modern 44-40 200gr loads can be pushed downrange at historic 1,325fps when using rifle powders like Reloder 7 with great accuracy. Accurate "mousefarts" (1,000fps) can also be loaded that will hit in nice groups at 50 and 100 yards.

The Winchester 92' had factory "High Velocity" JSP loads that resulted in 1,600fps @ 22,000cup (approx. 18,000psi) that could reach out and touch someone at 250 yards with a bit less trajectory than what the 73' could offer, and retain a lot more energy. Those loads can be re-produced using IMR-4227 and Winchester's 200gr JSP bullets.

Great care must be taken when handloading such loads. The handloader must understand the chamber and bore dimensions and use the correct bullets.

As far as other calibers for the 73'......Leveractions in general are kind of like jeeps, you either love them or hate them.

Kyle Rittenhouse probably would not have fared very well with a leveractions. He probably would have done much better with a sidearm if he had been old enough to lawfully carry one.
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DocRock
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Re: The Win 1873?

Post by DocRock »

I don't own one. But when I watch the really fast guys in SASS competition, as far as I can tell, virtually every one of them is running a '73 and, unless I am mistaken, there are short throw kits available for them? So, for super rapid fire and absolute assurance of feed, can't see a '73 beat. I love my Marlin '94 but I'm slow... And very fond of my little R92 trapper trapper too.
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OldWin
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Re: The Win 1873?

Post by OldWin »

All the above reasons.......

But most importantly, it's how you clear a room with style. :D
"Oh bother", said Pooh, as he chambered another round.
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Sixgun
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Re: The Win 1873?

Post by Sixgun »

Hey Jay.....you guys have the 1873 up your way? Already?
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OldWin
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Re: The Win 1873?

Post by OldWin »

Sixgun wrote: Thu Sep 17, 2020 11:55 pm Hey Jay.....you guys have the 1873 up your way? Already?
Well yeah. We are on the cutting edge up here buddy! :D
"Oh bother", said Pooh, as he chambered another round.
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