Model 1873’s chambered in 32-20

[treebeard]

I see a lot of Winchester 1873’s in 32-20 for sale and was interested to hear from the experienced if there are any problems with them in terms of reliability? I ask this because I read somewhere that this was a problem with the reproductions. My interest is more in the originals.

[Isom]

Well Treebeard, I've got a replica (Uberti) and 2 originals. One original I bought in '66 the other in about '93-5. The only problem I had was with the new (Uberti). They use the same magazine tube for .45 or 32-20. After you'd get about 6-7 shells in the tube it got harder to push in. They've got a kit out mainly for the .38 shooters, but I did basically the same thing, and this was before they had that kit out. I bought a 32-20 mag. tube, spring and follower. I measured it from the receiver to where the threads for the screw in cap ended inside the regular mag, centered it with thin pieces of wire, when I got it right, I pulled it out , cut it , scuffed the outside of the 32-20 mag. tube and the inside of the of the rifle's mag. with 60 grit paper. Washed them off with acetone. Put that modeling clay in the threads and in the mouth of the smaller tube , mixed up some Brownells Acra-Glass, slathered the smaller tube with it , pushed it in from the back while twisting it side to side to the top, right below the threads. Used the small pieces of wire to center it, wiped any excess off and let it dry overnight. I had to make a small bushing/adapter that stopped them from shooting on back through. Cleaned up everything. Works great now. I could have left it as is, but hey ,,,,,,,,,,,,, I'm like that. Mechanically wise, I haven't had any problems .
Have fun,
Isom

[Isom]

Sorry Treebeard, out of the 2 originals that I've got, the last one I bought needed a little work but neither are my main match guns. I'll shoot one or the other 1-3 times a year, and they don't get run fast ,,,,,,,,,, cause I ain't.  One is in the B/P range, I shoot both with B/P ,, lots of cleaning afterwards,,,,,,, bores aren't the best.

Isom

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[treebeard]

ISOM— Thanks for the feed back. Looks like Uberti is too cheap to put in a correct mag tube. The originals you have must function in a normal manner which is what Is important to me. I am not a speed demon just want too load the mag up and cycle thru with no problems.

[Coffinmaker]

Treebeard,
I wouldn't get too upset with Uberti.  At least they make a rifle for ya in 32-20.  The Magazine tube sleeve is actually quite reasonable in price considering it includes the magazine spring and follower.  While intended to smooth the operation for the really "FAST" guys and gals shooting .38s in competition,  Because of the case head size it also works a treat with the 32-20.  At least you don't have to make your own   

[Major 2]

In fact, Uberti has two dia. magazine tubes 38 ( 38 , 38/40 & 32/20 ) and the 44 ( 44/40 & 44 Scpl.) & 45 Colt.
 

Winchester had a different tube for the 73  for all the calibers 22 , 32/20 , 38/40 & 44/40

Treebeard asked how they shoot ?

here is the target for my original 1891 73 in 32/20 caliber

[Cliff Fendley]

The original Winchesters are no trouble at all but I honestly don't have much trouble with the ubertis even with the tubes they come with.

I have put in the smaller diameter tubes just for giggles, they may feed more smoothly with the smaller tube but can't say it's a real noticeable difference.

[Major 2]

I agree with Cliff...
I have a JM Marlin 94 in 32/20 it shares the magazine tube with 38 ...I've had no feed problems

My Uberti shares the same Dia. as the 45 Colt

[Abilene]

In fact, Uberti has two dia. magazine tubes 38 ( 38 , 38/40 & 32/20 ) and the 44 ( 44/40 & 44 Scpl.) & 45 Colt....

Maybe some time in the distant past, but not lately.  Only one size listed on VTI and Cimarron parts lists.  My .32wcf is definitely .45 sized.

[Pettifogger]

In fact, Uberti has two dia. magazine tubes 38 ( 38 , 38/40 & 32/20 ) and the 44 ( 44/40 & 44 Scpl.) & 45 Colt.
 

Winchester had a different tube for the 73  for all the calibers 22 , 32/20 , 38/40 & 44/40

Treebeard asked how they shoot ?

here is the target for my original 1891 73 in 32/20 caliber

This is not correct.  Uberti has two carrier sizes but only one mag tube.  The Originals had parts sized to the .32-20 i.e., the mag tube, carrier and bolt.  The Uberti uses oversize mag tubes, oversize carriers and an oversized bolt head on their .32-20s.  Some work, some do not.  Many of the Ubertis require a lot of work to make them suitable for CAS shooting.

[Major 2]

Just perhaps we are all correct...

I have a Uberti SRC in 38spcl'  date code  circa 1981,  the tube will not except a STAINLESS STEEL MAGAZINE SPRING ordered from Pioneer

ad said " Will work in model '66 & '73 rifles of any caliber." 

The same spring DID fit my  2009  44spc'l just fine....

Not trying to be argumentative,  but the fitsall SS spring was the same outside dia, as the Circa  "81" 38 cal. SRC carbine tube.

"if"  they made two sizes in the past, or the SRC tube is different that would need to be researched.

My 32/20 original does has a smaller tube and 38/40 spring will go in,  but scrubbs the side walls and won't feed.

 

[Cliff Fendley]

Many of the Ubertis require a lot of work to make them suitable for CAS shooting.

Guess I should consider myself lucky then.

Only issue I ever notice is during loading you can get the nose of the bullet beside previous round if you are trying to use them to push them into the carrier. Just have to push each one in all the way individually. That is because the carrier block is machined for a 357 and the bolt is too but they seem to fit the rim of the 32-20 just fine.

I never had any trouble with the larger tubes but put the smaller tube in mine just to try and eliminate chances of cartridges binding up.

[greyhawk]

In fact, Uberti has two dia. magazine tubes 38 ( 38 , 38/40 & 32/20 ) and the 44 ( 44/40 & 44 Scpl.) & 45 Colt.
 

Winchester had a different tube for the 73  for all the calibers 22 , 32/20 , 38/40 & 44/40

Treebeard asked how they shoot ?

here is the target for my original 1891 73 in 32/20 caliber

Major
You have your wires just a touch crossed in the first sentence above --38/40 shares the same size magazine tube as 44/40 NOT the smaller tube (if uberti does make such a thing?) 

[Major 2]

Winchester had a different tube for the 73  for all the calibers 22 , 32/20 , 38/40 & 44/40...

[Coffinmaker]

The good folks at Uberti Build everything to a price point.  They put something together in prototype and if it works, it's "good enough."
So, if you can manufacture a "one size fits all" magazine tube, you save a bunch of cost.  Doesn't matter if it "just works" as long as it works.  Miroku does the same thing, just not as blatantly.

[Pettifogger]

The problem with the .32-20 Ubertis is they use .357 parts.  The .357 parts were a compromise in the first place being modified to work in place of .38-40/.44-40/.45 parts.  When you add in the additional dimensional differences in the .32-20 things can and do go wrong.  A lot of the parts on the Uberti schematics list .357 parts and then note "adjust for .32-20."  Sometimes it is hard to "adjust" a part that is simply the wrong size.  Sort of reminds me of some car parts in the good old days.  Many were listed as "universal fit."  What they really meant is the part didn't fit anything correctly but if you worked on it long enough and hard enough it might work.  For example.  Here is an original Winchester 73 in .32-20.  Look at the carrier.  It looks nothing like a Uberti .32-20 carrier.

[Slamfire]

 Mr. Pettifogger ,, sure those aren't left over " Chaparral " parts ?

 smoke'm if y'a got'm  ,, Hootmix .

[greyhawk]

Winchester had a different tube for the 73  for all the calibers 22 , 32/20 , 38/40 & 44/40...

Major
Were ya payin attention last time  looked like ya missed the point of me post - 38/40 and 44/40 has same size tube - due to the fact that a$$ end of the round is same size tube measures .644 OD ---32/20tube measures .520 OD
My Uberti 44/40 is identical size tube to winchester
My Uberti model 66 in 22 cal has a .644 outer tube wid the lil spring lodey tube inside - it works fine - is me favorite snake gun - can shoot up agin anything widout blowin holes in da joint . 

Seen pictures but never saw a real live 73 in 22 cal. 

[yahoody]

Looks like Uberti is too cheap to put in a correct mag tube. The originals you have must function in a normal manner which is what Is important to me. I am not a speed demon just want too load the mag up and cycle thru with no problems.

I bought a 20" Uberti from Cimarron some time back.  Shoots pretty good.  Only thing I did to that gun for the next 5 years was add the mag tube kit and ammo.  Lots of ammo.

Here is a set of targets shot @ 25 yards from back then.  10 rounds on each plate.



These days it is my main match rifle with a few additional tweaks.  But nothing required past the mag tube insert.    It is an awesome lever gun.  I try to shoot it every couple of days at 75 yards and a 6" plate.  Rings that plate more often than not.   I have an original, built in 1886, set trigger and 26" barrel.   But the barrel is so shot out it needs replacing.  By the time I get that gun rebuilt I could easily buy another Uberti.

Biggest down side to the Cimarron/Uberti version that I notice...and it is a big deal.  That would be reloading all the ammo you'll want to shoot through a 32-20 is time consuming.  I went from my 550 to a 1050 dedicated just to the 32-20.

[Abilene]

I bought a 20" Uberti from Cimarron some time back.  Shoots pretty good.  Only thing I did to that gun for the next 5 years was add the mag tube kit and ammo.  Lots of ammo...

Yahoody, I'm curious if you got it 5 or 6 years ago, s/n range maybe W41-W42xxx ?  Cimarron accidently ordered 50 too many (spreadsheet entry error) and there was a HUGE discount to dealers.  I got to pick the prettiest wood from the lot