Uberti 1873 Winchester clone in .357, anyone have one?

[canoeguy]

I'm thinking of saving up my gun buying money and getting a Uberti 1873 rifle in .357 caliber. Anyone out there have one? How does it shoot?
Any problems to speak of?

I think it was "Thuer" who mentioned he had some experience with 1873's in .357 caliber that were problematic, I'll be shooting this one with mild or mid-range cast lead handloads, 158 grain lead flat point at 1000 FPS or so at the most....

I do tend to shoot my rifles more than most, I bought a Marlin 1895 in .357 a couple of years ago and have probably put 2000 or more rounds through it.

I'd like to stay with .357 so I wouldn't have to gather up brass, dies and other components for another caliber, I'm well stocked with .38 Special and .357 brass and projectiles...

A link to a pic of the Uberti 1873 rifle I'm thinking of:

http://www.uberti.com/firearms/image...t_rifle_lg.jpg

[writerinmo]

I've got the Uberti 1858 pistol carbine BP, in .44. Bought it broken, simple to tear down, good quality workmanship inside, parts were cheap enough (Mainspring, $8.00) works fine, as accurate as expected,no complaints on that model. They tend to receive good feedback on their firearms it seems.

[Evil Dog]

Fine looking rifle but I'd prefer a few more inches on the barrel length.

[65kaiser]

Looked at a Rossi with a hexagon barrel in 357 last week. I really liked it but I am trying to resist.

[boykinlp]

They sure are pretty guns! Never owned one, but would like to.

[JayBird686]

This is a bit offtopic, but will a clone chambered in 357, shoot 38?

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

My Marlin 1894C in 357 handles 38 Specials very well, 38 WCs must be single loaded, do not feed through the magazine.

[willy]

Are you planning on ordering one or handling it before you buy?
Because with that octagon barrel and that little 357 bore it will be a lot different balance than your marlin.

[canoeguy]

Willy,

I'd like to handle one before buying, but I have never seen one in person. One of those things most guns shops don't carry, must be special ordered.

One of those things where you hope for the best, I'm fairly optimistic, as I've never handled any lever rifle that I didn't like.

[Gary]

I like the .357 in a lever action rifle. I have an early Interarms Rossi Puma in .357 that suprisingly accurate. I always wanted an 1873 and really like the looks of the Uberti. Another plus is the .357 cartridge gains significant velocity when shot from a longer rifle barrel.

[VAdoublegunner]

Good rifles. A lot of CAS/SASS shooters use them. I have one in 45 Colt and it works great! They are very well fit and finished, will always get looks when you take them to the range. My 45 Colt is pretty accurate with it's favorite load (Rem 250 LRN swaged bullets with 9.5gr WSF), will do 2-3" groups all day off hand at 50 yards. It is fun to watch a guy with an AK get frustrated trying to compare group size to "that old cowboy gun" when shooting beside me.

However, the 357s are sometimes reported to be particularly persnickety about OAL. Most guys who shoot them in cowboy matches where I shoot use 357 brass (downloaded, of course, and with only lead bullets). Some have had them "tuned up" to handle 38 SP. It may not be as much of an issue if you are running the action slowly, but none of them seem to do that too often. The other often reported issue with them is if you need to back out some of the action screws, particularly those adjusting lever and lifter tension, apparently guido the gorilla uses gold krypton loctite to secure them and they are soft so expect a few buggered screw heads. This is absolutely true! Easy enough to get some extras though.

[semperfi71]

canoeguy,

Go for it!!

I have shot a fair amount of Cowboy Action Shooting. The Uberti M1873 in .357 is THE preferred rifle for almost ALL of the top shooters and just about everyone else.

Go to "Buffalo Arms Company" on the net and you will see many variations and pretty good retail prices. Taylor's Firearms Company is another good source and they are great people to deal with. Again, the online gun auctions can realize good prices.

Go to a local CAS shoot (they will be glad to have you come) and ask to see the weapons and handle them.

The 1873 clones feed much better than the 1892 clones or the Winchester M94s. Cartridge length in an 1873 clone can be sometimes problematical if you exceed factory specs, as the action is set for that with little "wriggle room".

The screws can be EXTREMELY tight and can/will be destroyed in removing them. Not to worry, go to VTI Gun Parts on the net and they have hardened steel replacements, again very nice people to deal with.

Stay with the Uberti clones, the others have had issues.

There is a "short-stroke" action job that is done by several quality CAS gunsmiths. This job will allow the lever to be manipulated about 1/3 the required distance to operate the action. It is slick and fast. ALL of the top competitors do this. And a lot of others.

The action of the 1873 is like an older artillery breech block. The brass "lifter" is a solid "bench" that rides straight up and down. It carries the ammunition in a level setting and then when it is inline with the chamber the bolt just shoves it right in. Very simple and very reliable. It probably only fails if you are hanging upside down from a tree limb..........

Due to the type of loading system .38 Specials should not be a problem.

If you like the 20 inch octagon barrel version take a look at the same model with the checkered pistol grip and forearm.

Taylor's sells an 18 1/2 version with checkered pistol grip and forearm with a half-round/half-octagon barrel. If I was to want a .357 M1873 that is the one I'd buy. Short and handy but you will still realize high velocity.

Having said all of this mine are all .44-40s because Buffalo Bill never shot a .357 Magnum!

Good luck!

[canoeguy]

Thanks for the replys and info, I'm saving up my Shekels and will have enough to order one right after Christmas, maybe earlier if Mrs. Claus feels generous this year....

I'll post pictures when I get one, that will pretty much complete my Winchester lever rifles, I'll have an 1873, 1886, 1892, 1894, 1895 and 9422.

Then I'll be like "Swiss Man", my collection will be complete and I'll never have to buy another gun ever again.

Except maybe a Sharps Buffalo Rifle in 45/70....

[semperfi71]

Not so fast buddy!

You still "need" a Henry, 1866, and an 1876...........