Winchester ‘76?

[JayFramer]

Anyone ever own/shoot a Winchester 1876 lever-action rifle or reproduction thereof?

If you aren't aware, these guns were brought out as a more powerful aberration of the classic '73 Winchester in .44-40 etc. It has an elongated and enlargened receiver to handle more powerful cartridges. Thinking of getting the Uberti made version in the .45-60 round. Would make a wicked deer or pig gun and be useful for self defense in an emergency or to ward of bears.

Thoughts?

 

[Texas Star]

I've seen them in museums and in pictures of Teddy Roosevelt & the NWMP, later RCMP.

I think I'd get a M-1886, probably in .45-70. Better ctg. and a stronger rifle.

But they do hold a strong nostalgic value.

You'll probably really feel that crescent butt plate in recoil.

 

[Bakebfr480]

Uberti makes a fine reproduction. I also like the 40/65 round!

 

[DWalt]

Back in the 1970s I briefly owned a Win '76 in .45-75 which is the most commonly found caliber for these. It's fully the ballistic equivalent of the .45-70 but in a shorter case. The Winchester '76 design (essentially an enlarged Win '73) could not accommodate the length of the .45-70 cartridge. At that time, ammunition and cases were difficult to come by and I did not shoot it much before I sold it at a substantial profit. It was pretty much rendered obsolete when Winchester brought out the Model 1886 which was a superior design in every way, and had a larger selection of calibers, although I never understood why any caliber other than the .45-70 was necessary in the 1886. By the time it appeared, the Buffalo had been pretty well exterminated, so there wasn't any need tor the .50-110 cartridge, which was the largest option available for the 1886. I always craved an 1886 but never had one. I came close to buying one once (.45-70) but didn't. Replica '76 and 1886 rifles are available today. The 1886 later morphed into the Winchester Model 71, chambered only in the .348 Winchester caliber. And that was the most magnificent version.

 

[tndrfttom]

One of the shooters brought his Italian replica out to the Cowboy matches and shot it in the 100 yard side matches. I shot it a few times. The main thing I remember was how heavy it was - I wouldn't want to lug it around very long. He loaded his own 40-65, 45-60 and 45-70 black powder cartridges. I thought the crescent butt was going to be a problem but it was OK to shoot offhand. It wasn't anything I felt I needed because I had a Browning 1886 rifle in 45-70 at the time. The Browning was a lot stronger and 45-70 was easy to handload for.

 

[JayFramer]

I am not interested in the 1886, thanks.

 

[Alpo]

>The main thing I remember was how heavy it was<


That's it. When they first came out, I wanted one desperately. Until I actually held one in a gun shop.

 

[Onomea]

There's a scene in Tom Selleck's Crossfire Trail where he uses an 1876 to good effect.

 

[JayFramer]

>The main thing I remember was how heavy it was<


That's it. When they first came out, I wanted one desperately. Until I actually held one in a gun shop.

I see! I wish gun shops in my area stocked Ubertis and other classic guns. Instead it's all ARs and plastic pistols, unfortunately.

 

[mauser9]

Beautiful looking gun it is. Still the 1873 carbine in 44-40 is my favorite.

 

[Skeetr57]

The .40-65 cartridge is not an 1876 caliber. It is based on the .45-70 case and is therefore too long for the '76 action. If my memory serves, there was a .40-60 for the '76.

 

[CptCurl]

I've never owned a Model 1873 or a Model 1876, but I want one of each! I'm tempted by the Uberti clones. They certainly are good value for the money, or at least easier on the pocketbook.

I have several Model 1892 rifles, an 1886 (.45-90), and a Model 71. I enjoy them all.

Good luck in your quest.

Curl

 

[Wyatt Burp]

I'd love to have a Uberti Canadian Mountie carbine but in 45-60. Like Tom Selleck's in Crossfire Trail but with a blued, not case colored frame. But, alas, something I know I'll never get since there's a couple other things I'd like to get first but can't afford right now.

 

[AJ]

There's a scene in Tom Selleck's Crossfire Trail where he uses an 1876 to good effect.

The good guys never miss...........it is in the script!! Or so my Grandfather told me..

 

[Qc Pistolero]

These italian copies are quite well made.If you want a shooter and you are an history buff,I think that it is a good investment in a way that you're going to have fun with it without destroying the value of a genuine Winchester.

 

[Onomea]

The good guys never miss...........it is in the script!! Or so my Grandfather told me..

Yep. Especially when the yahoo is right across the street trying to shoot Selleck's character with a pistol and Selleck is standing behind his horse with a Winchester 1876.... (Or that's how I recall the scene, anyway!)