I have one in .45. I had issues with it feeding when I got it. About 2 out of every 10 rounds would hang up coming out of the magazine tube.
I sent it back to HRA. It returned in about a week. The shell carrier had been replaced. It works 100% now. I am shooting BP, not smokeless... no issues with it whatsoever.
If someone has a problem with theirs, I would recommend that they do not suffer with the resulting frustration... just give them a call. They will send you a prepaid UPS mailing label right away and, in my experience, they will make it right.
Lets not forget that most people who buy a more traditional lever gun (like a '73) pretty much assume before they buy it that they will be plunking down more money on it to make it work well. With the Big Boy, if it doesn't work to well, you just send it to New Jersey and they will fix it No Charge.
Rick