Uberti Model 1873: yay or nay?

M

Model12Win

Moderator
Hello! :)

So I found myself with a nice new Ruger GP-100 .357 magnum this past summer. I love it very much, but I think it needs a new friend. Preferably a friend that likes the same food!

I've been looking at the options for lever action rifles in .357 magnum, and I think I may have settled in on the rifle I want. It is the above mentioned Uberti model 1873 chambered in .357 magnum. The thing that really draws me to this rifle is that it supposedly is a pretty close reproduction of the timeless Winchester 1873 and that is really interesting to me. However, as with all my firearms, reliability is the most important thing for me. If I would ever need to defend myself with this rifle, I need to know that it would function.

Does anyone have anything to say about this particular rifle? Is it reliable? Are there parts that are prone to breakage? What is the quality I should expect? What kind of accuracy should I expect? Good fit and finish? I know there are other options out there for a lever action .357 magnum, but for historical reasons this one really interests me. But, like I said, above all else I want something that I can put my faith in.

Thanks for the input! :D
 
No but some of them use .357 cases downloaded and with lead bullets. Full house.357 isn't legal for CAS. The rifle itself is still the go to rifle for most CAS shooters.
 
The Uberti '73 is more expensive than most of the competing rifles. It's heavier and not as compact as the '92 clones. The '92s have a solid Browning designed lockup but the '73 seems plenty solid for the .357. Also, like most guns these days they are oversprung and a little stiff out of the box. Some gunsmithing will transform it into a jewel of a rifle (that's why they are the most coveted rifles in SASS matches). This adds to the cost of an already expensive rifle.

If I lost mine tomorrow I'd replace it with another. It's money well spent.

With any pistol caliber lever action rifle be prepared to experiment a little to find out what type of ammo it will feed well.
 
Uberti 73's or 92's and Miroku 73's and 92's are all excellent and fairly close in price. Miroku's may be slightly higher new. Rossie 92's are the least expensive but I don't like the safety on the bolt unless you can find one of the older ones before the safety. I have owned and shot both Uberti and Miroku and can vouch to their fit and finish and accuracy being both excellent. I have never owned a Rossi but those who have say their accuracy is good but fit and finish sometimes leaves a little to be desired. Probably couldn't go wrong with any of them. My Uberti 1873 deluxe sporting rifle in 45 Colt is one of my favorite lever rifles to shoot. I have killed several feral hogs with it.

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Model12win:

Because one of my best friends has one and its his favourite rifle, the one that he has always with him when we go to the range. I saw this badboy chewing through 1000s of rounds without any problems. Accuracy is very good for a lever action (better than my marlin).

So again:
Yay!
 
Wow thanks all, anybody ever deal with the Uberti 1860 Henry clones? Are they quality and reliable? I've been thinking kindly on one of those as well, in .45 colt.
 
I have owned two Uberti 1860 Henrys and they are equally as excellent as the 73's. That also goes for the 1866. On the 1860 Henry due to its magazine design you do have to be aware of the magazine follower position when shooting. I can remember on more than one occasion of dropping the hammer on a empty chamber because my hand location prevented the follower from pushing another round into the carrier block. That is why I prefer rifles with a forearm stock.
 
Have you considered one of the new Winchester/Miroko 1873's? The first ones are being made in short rifle configuration in 357 cal. Check out Winchesters web site. I saw one at a local shop, it looked great.

All the Miroku made guns I've seen and owned have been very high quality, more so than the Uberti guns, as good as they are.
 
really like my 1860 henry. I have a .45 colt, its a joy to shoot very accurate out to 50 yds. I'm a little shakey shooting 100 yds with open sites, so the gun would probably be better. I did add a marbles tang site on it that helped some. Can shoot it all day not much recoil. When bring it out at the range it gets everyones attention.
 
The Uberti `73's are fantastic rifles. Mine, a 24" Deluxe Sporting Rifle in .38WCF, does an inch at 50yds with every load I've tried in it.
 
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