I've been looking at the Mdl.1873 lever rifles in .357 caliber.Uberti makes several models and barrel lengths. Berreta also has one.Does anyone have any experience with these and does Uberti make the Berreta? Thanks for any information anyone has about these rifles.

I once had a original 1873 converted to .38 special. I and others worried that .357 had too much pressure for that action. Prior to that, I also converted a original winchester 92 to .357. Now I suppose the modern ubertis to be better heat treated than the old winchesters, but I have read it debated too. I understand the 73 copys are smoother than 92 actions, but not as strong. Were it me, I would stick to a 92 copy, and I do own a 357 rossi and a .44 mag 92 browning. I know the cowboy crowd say they can shoot faster with the 1873 copy, but know it is also a heavier gun than a 92 rifle, 92 without question is a stronger action. I suspect the berretta must be built by uberti, but wouldnt bet my life on it.

I'm 99.9% sure Beretta bought Uberti and they are the same gun. Everything Ferrilmiller mentioned strengthwise is true but I think if you stick with factory power levels you'll be fine with a 73 repro in .357. The 92 is stronger and I just love the smoothness of it, but cowboy shooters like the straight feed into the chamber as opposed to the angled feed of the 92. But like Ferrilmiller, I own a Browning .44 Magnum 92 carbine and it will probably get burried with me. It is beyond fine. And a Rossi 92 in .357 with a 16" barrel and loop lever is something I'm real interested in.

The little Rossi stainless 16" guns just can't be beat for the price and reliability- and mine feeds SWC's- my Marlin doesn't.
I do wish a pistol gripped button magazine Rossi 92 was offered (in the style of a Winchester 53).

On the 1873's- stay with the Uberti or Beretta- there are some cheaper Itailian '73's coming in currently with ugly wood that are very rough for just a few $$$ less. Stick with the Uberti's if you want one.

Now, the Pedersoli 1886/71 I'd buy in a heartbeat, but that's another thread.

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