New Winchester 1873

[Tin Star]

Hi all,

First post on the forum - I've always enjoyed reading in the different sections and log on regularly. 

Has anybody noticed that Winchester has listed a new 1873 on their website?  I assume it is a Miroku product - 20" round barrel, .357/.38 (10/11 in the tube), blued, straight stock.  I have four Miroku rifles (1885/1886,1892) - they appear to be extremely well made.

MSRP looks to be the same as the Italian versions.   Hopefully, the current parts to "slick them up" will fit.  Believe this one will be on my wish list.

Tin Star

[Pettifogger]

Lots of discussion about the "new" rifle.  However, since no one has seen one it's hard to tell much about it or who will make it.  I hope it is Miroku as their quality is top notch.

[Long Knife Rich]

 Welcome to the forum Tin Star. I've heard of Winchesters plans to re-introduce the 1873, and would consider getting one. It's been discussed somewhat in the Winchester 1873 section of the forum.

[Tin Star]

I guess I should have put this in my original post.  Also, I had previously linked to a PDF brochure that I will have to find again.

http://www.winchesterguns.com/products/catalog/detail.asp?mid=534200&family=027C

[Bugscuffle]

I was just looking at the photos at the posted URL. http://www.winchesterguns.com/products/catalog/detail.asp?mid=534200&family=027C

Is that gun short-stroked? It's hard to tell from the photo, you don't know if the photo was taked part way through the lever action or at the end of the downstroke. If that gun is not short-stroked, they sure are trying hard to make you think that it is.

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Howdy
On the 73 Winchester portion of cascity there is a video and it appears not to be short stroked . I haven't read nothing saying it was short stroked .

[Pettifogger]

I handled the two prototypes at the SHOT Show.  They are not short stroked.

[Abilene]

Saw it at Shot Show.  The lever stroke on the new Win '73 is a bit shorter than the Ubertis.  When the lever is open it appeared to me to be close to 90 degrees from the frame (straight down).  The Uberti levers go a bit further than that.  The action was very smooth, definitely lighter springs than the Ubertis.   Some sort of "safety" device(s) in the firing pin extension, but not too bad.  You can see a "button" on the rear of the extension in the photos, and when the action is open you can see another gizmo on top of the firing pin extension.  Much less obtrusive visually than a tang safety.  Main negative in my opinion was the markings.  Top tang marking not authentic (Ubertis are) and barrel markings not real pretty, no "Kings Patent Improvement..." markings.  These cosmetic issues won't bother some others.  The brass bead on the front sight is tiny.  Nice for long distance work but most CAS shooters will want a larger bead.