Looking at lever action rifles in 45C

[smokindog]

I just began my search and have set my budget between $800 and $1200 dollars but I've been known to stretch things a bit!!!!

I have an Uberti 1873 Cattleman in .45C that I enjoy and want to get a lever action in the same caliber.

I've looked at the Uberti 1860 and 1873 lines and they appeal to me!
1860 Henry Rifle | Uberti
1873 Rifle and Carbine | Uberti

Looks like the Original Henry's are only chambered in .44-40 and a bit out of budget but, ...
The Henry Original | Henry Repeating Arms

Anyway, this is all NEW territory for me and looking for some input on brands and other things to look for.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Hellraiser]

Don't forget the '66...

1866 Yellowboy Rifle | Uberti

I have one that I shoot quite a bit.

 

[smokindog]

Ya, meant to link that in as well It's the one my wife likes!

Don't forget the '66...

1866 Yellowboy Rifle | Uberti

I have one that I shoot quite a bit.

 

[Farmer17]

A close friend has a Rossi Trapper with the big ring lever and 16" barrel and I was very impressed with it. Very light with almost no recoil but quite accurate even with the short barrel and it is a heck of a lot of fun!

 

[Hellraiser]

Also... don't forget the actual Winchester (made by Miroku in Japan)... if you don't mind stretchin' yore budget just a tad. Model 1873 -- Winchester Repeating Arms -- Product Family

 

[Kinman]

I've got a buddy that is into Mounted Cowboy Shooting, he claims you get more Oomph out of the 44-40, he also warns about running round nose bullets in the Henry rifles, since the bullets are basically dropped down the tube. There have been a few magazine explosions from 45LC because round nose bullets are the norm and dropping a bullet onto a round nosed bullet can set off the primer...this is only on the Henry.
He claims the new Winchester rifles are very good and that you pay for what you get. The Uberti rifles I have seen in other calibers have all proved themselves very well.

 

[redlevel]

You can probably find a Winchester 94AE in .45 Colt within your budget. I have one from the mid 90s and I'm well pleased with it. I can also recommend the Rossi 92. Mine is stainless and continues to get smoother the more rounds I put through. Both mine are the Trapper length barrel, and they are as much fun to shoot as any guns I own.

 

[spearcrow]

I love lever actions, don't know exactly why, but I love em! I had a Uberti 1873 in 45c a while back. It was a beautiful rifle. It was a beautiful rifle, and I thought it was really cool to see the block move up and down as you cycle the lever. Only issue I had was the block would move up accidentally and wouldn't want to open smoothly. Not sure I'd grab at it first if something really needed shootin...but they are cool guns. I am pretty infatuated with the 86' models, but the 92' are nice as well! Good luck!

 

[DR505]

Nuts...I should not have read this thread. Now I want one of those new Winchester 1873's in .45 Colt. MSRP is $1,579.99

 

[JoseyWales2]

A friend has the 1860 Henry with the case-hardened receiver instead of the brass. I much prefer that look even though I suspect it's not historically accurate? Anyway, it's a joy to shoot and looks just beautiful. Felt recoil seems quite low to me. I have an itch to get one myself, but I haven't pulled the trigger yet.

 

[tompehret]

I have two Ubertis; an 1860 Henry and an 1873 "Texas Brush Popper", both in .45 Colt.
Both are fun and reliable. SASS level loads in the '73 are negligible and virtually unfelt in the Henry.
The Henry's weight is a bit much but the cool factor at a SASS match is worth it. The shorter, lighter '73 is just plain fun and pretty cool too.
Get either. Load and shoot. Have fun. Stick with the .45 Colt.

 

[PA Guns & Ammo]

Do not even think about getting one in a Marlin unless you are willing to pay $900+. I want one in a Marlin but I'm not going to pay those prices. Heck, a 357 stainless Marlin goes for over $1300!

James

 

[perrazi]

have a Cimarron 1873 deluxe rifle in 44-40 for several years. have fired a couple of thousand reloads through it with zero issues. these are made by uberti.

 

[Snapping Twig]

If you can find an older JM stamped 1894 Marlin, you'll be OK.

 

[holo]

I have a marlin j.m.stamped in .44 and a old rossi Puma in .357 they both shoot great I am really happy with both and can't wait to take the marlin in the woods for whitetail hunting this year.

As posted above you will break the bank on a marlin now.

 

[gkitch]

Having participated in cowboy action for a while and seen many such guns and owned a few of them, my favorite is the Uberti 73. I like the rifle with the 24" Octagonal bbl, but the shorter 20" is perhaps a little more competitive.

The Marlin and most of the Model 92 clones are all good. They are both much stronger than the 73 and are less popular in CAS as they are just a tad less reliable and slower to operate (when all examples are slicked up).

If you intend to shoot it with mild loads and enjoy it, or compete, then the 73/66/ Henry are all good choices. If you want to hunt or use it for more practical matters I would advise you to track down a good older Marlin or Model 92. Also, condider the excellent 44 magnum versions if you go this route...will give you more power among other things. Stay away from the horrid Winchester 94AE by all means.

 

[Frizzman]

I have had a Henry Big Boy in .45 Colt for over a decade and have been very happy with it. It is beautifully finished and made of top quality American materials by Americans in America. The action is very smooth and its accurate and has never failed to function perfectly. I used to compete in cowboy competition shooting with it and it handled hundreds of my handloads using 250gr cast lead flat point bullets. It has been a companion to my Colt and Ruger single actions and my S&W 625 Mountain Gun. I also have a Marlin 1894 Cowboy Competition Carbine in .45 Colt. It has also been an excellent performer. It doesn't have the fit and finish of the Henry but it functions just as well...The Henry and the Marlin have the same action that is very strong, smooth and easy to strip for cleaning.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

I have a box stock Uberti 1873 in .45 Colt that I have shot the snot out of in seven years of SASS competition with zero problems. It's deadly accurate with cast or jacketed bullets at fifty yards and not so bad at one hundred either. Hard to go wrong with one of the Marlin 1894's as well.

 

[Hellraiser]

I've got a buddy that is into Mounted Cowboy Shooting, he claims you get more Oomph out of the 44-40, he also warns about running round nose bullets in the Henry rifles, since the bullets are basically dropped down the tube. There have been a few magazine explosions from 45LC because round nose bullets are the norm and dropping a bullet onto a round nosed bullet can set off the primer...this is only on the Henry.

Good point 'bout them mag explosions. If you watch some of the old movies... The Good, The Bad & The Ugly.... Silverado... several others, etc... those movies used modified Model '66's. They removed the wooden forearms, made 'em look like '60's. If you look closely... they had loadin' gates on the receiver's right side.

 

[Art Doc]

Had this one for awhile and like it.