Winchester May Reintroduce The 1873

[Blackpowder Burn]

Cliff,

I handled the new Winchester '73 at the NRA convention last May.  It is everything the American Rifleman review said.  Slick right out of the box and beautiful metal work, fit and finish.  The one with case hardened receiver and fancy wood was gorgeous, to boot.  No doubt in my mind which brand I will buy in the future.

[Blackfoot]

What we have here is a current production 1873 Winchester.  It is not a duplicate of any one that was produced  between 1873 and 1919.  It is not the same as any of them and was not intended to be.  Think "CURRENT PRODUCTION WINCHESTER MODEL 1873."

Blackfoot

[Cliff Fendley]

What we have here is a current production 1873 Winchester.  It is not a duplicate of any one that was produced  between 1873 and 1919.  It is not the same as any of them and was not intended to be.  Think "CURRENT PRODUCTION WINCHESTER MODEL 1873."

Blackfoot

Correct, just as the model 94 is not the same as the pre 64. I do not and will not own a modern production 94 either.

If they would get the lever throw correct to the original I would probably have one of the new 73's as soon as it's introduced in either a 24 inch barrel or a true carbine and an original caliber such as 44wcf.

I just don't get how having the word Winchester written on the tang and barrel is important to someone if they don't care about the action being like the original. Having it say Winchester would be worth a little something to me in NCOWS where you like to have things authentic but without the rest being authentic the name means nothing.

Otherwise your comparing a Miroku to a Uberti and deciding which suits your needs best. The name on the barrel is just the importer, not the manufacture of the gun.

[Advertising]

[MJN77]

For some folk it's all about the brand name. Not realizing that these days the word "Winchester" on a Miroku is like the word "Cimarron" on a Uberti. Like you said Cliff, Winchester is just the importer. To each their own.

[Mean Bob Mean]

I just read that article and when it said the 1866 was in production until the 1890's that really surprised me.  I assumed that Winchester stop production of the 1866 shortly after the introduction of the 73.  Pardon my ignorance, but why did they continue making it?  I also thought the same with the 73 being replaced by the 92.

They had military contracts overseas for those as well. 

[rbertalotto]

My local gun shop has on in stock. I got to handle it and cyle it a number of times.

Typical Mirkou quality workmanship. Excellent wood to metal fit.

But it felt "clunky"....not sure why. Seemed heavier than my Uberti. Didn't measure the LOP, but it seemed longer. Wish it was case colored. Not a big fan of the blued receiver and sideplates. And $1400 caused a bit of a pause......
Certainly the action needed some "love" to be competitive. Very stiff but that is to be expected with a new rifle.

Seems like a fine rifle....But I'll keep my Uberti....

[Tornado]

http://www.winchesterguns.com/products/catalog/detail.asp?family=027C&mid=534200
Winchester's web site list a version in  44-40 and a 45 Colt  .  It is the 20" only though, still waiting on a longer barrel.

[ndnchf]

If they come out with a 24" octagon barrel in .44 WCF, I'll be very interested!

[Charlie Bowdre]

Pard of mine just bought one of these . I'm going to have a look at it and try er out on Tuesday. It is in 38/357 . Ill give a report.
dutchy

[PJ Hardtack]

The moment a 44-40 Winchester/Miroku hits the market, I'm onto it like fleas on a dog!

I handle and shoot my 44-40 carbine '66 and .44 mag '92 much faster than I do my 24" Uberti '73 1 of 1,000 or my Henry.

In my hands, the long guns are fun long range plinkers - period. A 24" barrel on a 44-40 is too much gun for the calibre's potential - IMHO.

[Charlie Bowdre]

If I had the time and coin to do it again I would go 44-40 for all. Even saying it will give ya points!
dutchy

[Slamfire]

  "What PJ, said."









  Hootnix.

[Charlie Bowdre]

Sorry guys , I did get a quick glance at the Winchester today but it was too dang cold to do any shooting.

 Nice looking rifle , a bit different for sure but at this point I can't offer any pros or cons. Quick glance shows good finish and metal .
Later
dutchy

[Fox Creek Kid]

In the following video go to the 8:55 mark:

[Fox Creek Kid]

Winchester is advertising on their webpage that the ROT for their 44-40 is 1 in 26"!!     I hope that is a typo as the originals were 1 in 36" I believe.

[Cliff Fendley]

Winchester is advertising on their webpage that the ROT for their 44-40 is 1 in 26"!!    I hope that is a typo as the originals were 1 in 36" I believe.

That may be correct because I have noticed when cleaning the newer Uberti's they seem to be close to 1 in 20. I haven't done a real accurate check but just noticed how much the cleaning rod turns and thought it was really fast.

I have an old Navy Arms Henry that is 1 in 36 and yes you are correct the original 73 44wcf Winchester is 1 in 36.

The question I have is how does the fast rate of twist effect long range accuracy, specifically with Black Powder?

My old Navy Arms shoots really well at the buffalo targets but I haven't tried any of the newer guns with the fast twist at long range.

[PJ Hardtack]

I'm for the faster rate of twist. I've always thought that the Marlin's were too slow with the same ROT - 1x36"

[Ranch 13]

The question I have is how does the fast rate of twist effect long range accuracy, specifically with Black Powder?

.

 The faster twist will be better for heavier bullets in some cases, other's it may not make that much difference. The only way to know for sure will be shooting.

[Cliff Fendley]

The faster twist will be better for heavier bullets in some cases, other's it may not make that much difference. The only way to know for sure will be shooting.

I will find out I guess, I have a new rifle coming and have plans to set it up for long range. 1 in 20 just seems fast for a 200 grain bullet.

I guess they have the fast rate because those same barrels are used for 44 mag where some people are shooting 270 grain or better with that new heathen smokeless powder.

Even for that Uberti 1 and 20 seems fast, Miroku is probably more correct with the 1 and 26.

[Fox Creek Kid]

I will find out I guess, I have a new rifle coming and have plans to set it up for long range. 1 in 20 just seems fast for a 200 grain bullet.

I guess they have the fast rate because those same barrels are used for 44 mag where some people are shooting 270 grain or better with that new heathen smokeless powder.

Even for that Uberti 1 and 20 seems fast, Miroku is probably more correct with the 1 and 26.

If I were you, I'd hold off on the rifle until I talked to someone in the know at Win. as 1 in 26" won't shoot for sour apples with a short 200 gr. bullet IMO.