1873 OR 1892?

[Oldpaint]

I will only be using these rifles for hunting hogs/exotics/whitetail/plinking. I like the light weight feel of the 92, but most people say to get the 73. I will eventually get both, plus some. Which should I get first? I'm thinking 20" for the 92 and 24 for the 73. Is it worth getting a short stroke kit and tune job?

[Jefro]

Howdy Oldpaint, a well tuned short stroked 73 is by far the best rifle to use for SASS, the most popular being the 20". However if yer only gonna use it for hunting and such then a Marlin or a 92 have stronger actions. If you want something for both the Marlin would be a good choice. Good Luck


Jefro Relax-Enjoy

[Deadeye Don]

Short strokiing the rifle will only help you if you plan to shoot SASS.  If you are hunting or plinking I would not spend the extra money just for those activities.  Keep in mind if you plan to shoot NCOWS short stroking is not allowed.  I happen to love my 92 and due to the stronger action which was already mentioned I think it would do you better for hunting loads.

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[Blackpowder Burn]

+1 what Jefro said. 

Also to be considered is that the Marlin is still built in the US.

[J.D. Goodguy]

Old paint!!  If you are only going to use the guns for the posted purpose, go with the 92 and forget all the advice from the competition folks.  The 92 is a much stronger action and you can get it in calibers that the 73 does not have.  As someone who hunts as well as shoot SASS and NCOWS, go with a 24 inch barrel in the 92.  44 magnum with Leverevolution ammo or a 454 Casul.  Just shoot the thing and spend the money you save on the short stroke and tune up to buy ammo.  Best of luck whichever you decide.   JD

[Oldpaint]

Which is a better hunting round? The 44 Mag or the .454 Casull? I do reload. I just reloaded some 30-30 with the Leverrevollution bullets and powder.

[J.D. Goodguy]

That is a LOADED question?  Everyone has their own ideas on that.  I personally like the 44 mag, especially if you are looking at doing more plinking than hunting and do your own reloading.  You can use 44 specials for plinking and then load up the mag for various hunting.  Ammo is usually more available and cheaper for the 44 too.  Just my 2 cents worth, your mileage may vary.  Enjoy whatever way you go.   JD

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Howdy
If you could find a Browning 92 in 44 mag that would be a Great choice . If you can't find a Browning a Marlin in 44 will work just fine . Good Luck .

[Cal Fornia]

That is a LOADED question?  Everyone has their own ideas on that.  I personally like the 44 mag, especially if you are looking at doing more plinking than hunting and do your own reloading.  You can use 44 specials for plinking and then load up the mag for various hunting.  Ammo is usually more available and cheaper for the 44 too.  Just my 2 cents worth, your mileage may vary.  Enjoy whatever way you go.   JD

But a .454 Casull can use .45 Colt in the same way.

[Oldpaint]

thinking about getting a 44 mag in a Cimarron 1892. Should I go with a 24" or 20"? I know there is a ballistic difference, but is it that big of a difference? I will maybe get a 1873 in 45 colt too. Not sure on the links. I would imagine if anything, I would get a longer 44 mag because I would be shooting longer distances.

[Popa Kapoff]

Here's a link for your to a tread I have on the same subject. I own a a Rossi 92 and it is a good gun I have it in 45lc. Look around some around nicer then others.
http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,37835.0.html

[petrinal]

for huntinG a 92 is lighter (very important), more comfortable to carry, more compact, more equilibrate...it is really a much more advanced and better designed gun.

it is a little gun with a lot of power, not in vane, it was widely used until recently in hard environments by many shooters in PERU and ARGENTINA, in the jungle, hunting PUMAS, as what you need there is a compact and powerful gun.

a 73 is bulkier, heavier...not so ergonomic...i think that a fast action is not the most important thing in hunting, as with that in mind, bolt actions should not even be regarded..

that is why a good  advice for CAS may not be so good for hunting or for BULLSEYE....every discipline has the right gun for it..

i remember that the 92 was carried also by many prison guards until well into de 1970´s in Patagonia, Argentina....in some cases guns with 70 years that standed hard use...and still could be trusted.

the originals are much better than italian copies...these last are made by CNC machinery from extruded steel bars, with no forging..the old winchesters had their frames forged, from round bars, making frames as strong as dynamite, at a time when MADE IN USA meant tools of any type made to last and last....

as far as i know, modern WINCHESTER 92 are made in JAPAN with japanese quality, by MIROKU, and i would prefer one of this over  an ARMI CHIAPPA.

all the best

[Skyrider]

My model 92 is very smoooooth to operate the lever on, more so than my Winchester 94 or Marlin 336 30-30 and Marlin models 1895 in the .444 caliber, plus the 45/70  caliber.

[August]

Best cowboy gun is 1873.  Not a very good design for the field, however.  Too heavy for one thing.  And, too open to dust for another.

The 92 is hard to beat as a field gun.  That's probably why no significant improvements on that design have occurred over the past 120 years.

[Mustang Gregg]

I will say 'no' to using a '73 as a hog/deer hunting gun.  Toggle link guns were designed for BP pressures.
They are fine for CAS ammo.
A '92 is quite a bit stronger and can be loaded safely with big game velocity ammo.

MG

[MJN77]

FWIW, I own and hunt with both a Rossi 92 carbine in .44 magnum and a Uberti 1873 rifle in .44-40. I have taken more deer with the .44-40. Either gun has a range of about 100 yards or so. Either gun will take deer size game easily. Any modern made gun will handle off the shelf, factory loaded ammunition just fine, not just "cowboy" loads. I hunt with Winchester 200 gr jacketed soft points in the .44-40. Work great. I have taken several deer with both guns, and none of them went more than ten yards after being hit with either the .44 mag, or the .44-40. I believe that any of the rifles mentioned would be a good choice for your stated purposes. The only real advantage the 92 has IMHO, is that it weighs quite a bit less than a 1873. But the weight of the 73 isn't that bad to me.

[Trailrider]

I would definitely recommend the M92 for hunting hawgs! What caliber depends a bit. The .454 Casull is a good cartridge for heavy game. However, I personally would prefer the .44 Magnum, as you are more likely to find spare ammo almost any place that sells ammo.  In addition, a revolver in .44 Magnum would make a good companion where you can pack one for backup. They are also a bit cheaper than a Freedom Arms .454. 

[44caliberkid]

I'd go with the 92 in 44 magnum and 20 inch barrel.  You won't gain much in ballistics with the 24 inch tube because the 44 mag is a pistol round and quite efficient in shorter barrels.  All you would gain is sight radius.  I would agree with previous posters that 44 mag ammo and brass is going to be cheaper and easier to find and as a handloader you have tons of options in bullets weights and designs.

[charliebrown]

The model 1892 is the better choice.