New Winchester 1873 - The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

[OldBrownDog]

Hi fellas,

I recently picked up a new Winchester (Miroku) 1873 - I was pretty proud of it and mentioned it on another thread or two. Anyway, I put about 150 rounds (~50 each, .38 Spl, .38 +P, and .357) through it Saturday, so I thought I'd write up a little bit about it.

The Good - This is the "sporter" model. Case colored receiver, lever and forearm cap. Upgraded walnut stock. I know this is cliche, but wood to metal fit is like the wood grew there. Fantastic fit and finish.

Accuracy was good, with Blazer Brass .357 Mag 158 gr JHP's giving ~2" groups at 50 yards with the open buckhorn sights. I think young eyes help here.

The rifle fed American Eagle .38 Spl 158 gr LRN, the aforementioned Blazer .357's and Blazer .38 +P 158gr JFN perfectly. No flaws whether the lever was worked slow or fast.

The action was very slick, and the lever throw short, especially compared to an '86 or '94 action. Very easy to work.

The Bad - Nothing really. Other than the fact I just spent more money on .38 Spl dies, projectiles and powder .

The Ugly - After shooting Saturday I was unable to clean the gun immediately. No worries - I got to it Sunday. But, prior to cleaning it, I worked the action a few times and noted an issue - the bolt catches on the top of the hammer as it is brought forward and the steel rubbing on steel binds the action (see attached pics). To be clear, this did not happen at all when I was at the range Saturday. It only began Sunday. I think it only began Sunday because on Saturday the bluing (now worn through where the bolt rides over the hammer - see pics) was reducing friction and allowing the bolt to move smoothly. The lever can be closed, but it takes significantly more force than it should, and that butter-smooth action I experienced on Saturday is gone.

My initial research indicates this is probably caused by the sear not holding the hammer back far enough, and is common on original 1873's with a worn or butchered sear. Obviously a brand new rifle shouldn't have this problem. I tried contacting Winchester/Browning/FNH today, but the snow storms in the Midwest closed down their service center. I'll be trying again tomorrow.

In the meantime, I thought I would give you guys as unbiased a review as I could (though I'm obviously disappointed a $1300 rifle is having these issues ). I'm also asking for some help - If anyone has any other ideas as to the cause of this malfunction, or can give me any feedback on my theory that the sear is out of spec, I would love to hear it. Maybe I'm worrying about nothing, and I just need to work the lever until the steel laps itself smooth?

Thanks
OBD

 

[Palehorseman]

Isn't the MSRP for the upgrade CH receiver south of 1500 bucks? I now see where the blued Win. 73 wholesale price is $860.00 and the street price is under that of the Uberti.

 

[OldBrownDog]

MSRP on the CH receiver is $1579 per Winchester's website. I got this for $1325 OTD from Cabela's.

 

[Tommygunn]

Your pictures are a little dark for me to be sure.... but .....
I have a Uberti made 1873 saddle-ring carbine I got circa 1991 and I just went and examined it and cocked it. The bolt on yours is slightly different -- mine doesn't have that "button" on the rear and the apparent projection on top. How the hammer aligns with the bottom of the bolt (which does have a same or similar "cut out") looks very close to yours. The top of the hammer on mine doesn't have any wear marks but it does have some on the front face, which is understandable IMO. With the lever all the way open there seems only the tiniest space if any between the bolt and top of hammer.
It seems to me that either your rifle's bolt may be slightly off in diamter or the hammer may be shaped slightly wrong. I don't think it's a problem with the sear. Perhaps that top front curve of the hammer just above the flat that rests on the bolt isn't built up quit enough ....
I would definantly have it examined.....and before that nasty wear mark expands....
A @ 1500 dollar + rifle ought not do that and especially Miroku. I have a Browning B-92 (copy of the Winchester 1892) by Miroku and Miroku is a top-notch company.
They ought to stand behind what they make!

 

[Old Dog]

I'm waiting for the lever action rifle experts (we've got a few here who have experience with this rifle) to chime in, but I have been looking at this very same rifle -- it's gorgeous -- seriously considering purchase in the same caliber, so now I'm somewhat concerned.

OP, don't know where exactly you're at, but your local prices seem a smidge higher than ours up here in the PNW.

 

[Palehorseman]

If the price is right, I will be going for the blued carbine in .44-40 (.44wcf is how it is stamped on top front, left side of trigger guard on my 1886 mfg. Colt SAA)

 

[OldBrownDog]

Just to be clear, I'm sure Winchester will stand behind their products, I just haven't been able to get in touch with them yet. I'll definitely update this thread when I do.

Tommygunn - Winchester added a firing pin block, so the firing pin can not strike the primer without the trigger being pulled. That's the button you are seeing. I tried to take some lighter pictures, but I'm not so good with a camera. There is zero space, obviously, between the top of the hammer and bottom of the bolt on my rifle.

The reason I suspected the sear was out of spec is because the hammer follows the bolt too far back up as the bolt is being closed. If the sear held the hammer further back - even by a fraction of an inch, this wouldn't be an issue. This only occurs as the bolt is being closed. On opening, the bolt rides smoothly over the hammer. I guess I'll see what Winchester says...

Old Dog - I'm also hoping some of the lever rifle experts weigh in. I was a little hesitant about buying an 1873 in this caliber, but I couldn't find any negative reports about the Uberti's, so I went for it.

Palehorseman - That is a beautiful SAA! If this rifle gets taken care of/there aren't serious issues, I also plan on picking up the just-announced .44/40 version in plain blued finish as well. They are awfully good-looking guns.

 

[OldBrownDog]

Quick update: Spoke to Winchester customer service today. They said send the rifle right in. I asked for a shipping label. They said just send it on in. So now the rifle is on it's way in on my dime. Will update when I hear back from them.

 

[OldBrownDog]

I'm beginning to think this rifle is cursed. It was shipped via USPS 1/7/2014 at 11 AM. Hasn't had tracking updated since 1/7/2014 at 5 PM. Winchester definitely does not have it. USPS is "confused" as to what has happened and says it must be lost. I'm sorry, but 17lb boxes that are 4'x2'x4" do not just get lost. At least it was insured....:banghead:

 

[Tommygunn]

I'm sorry to hear that. Wow. I wonder if some postal worker thought he'd "found" himself a new toy ....
Couldn't be too hard to figure that box, size & shape, going to Winchester .....that it WASN'T a coffee grinder .....

 

[19-3Ben]

Wow that really stinks.
Keep us updated.

Aside from anything else, you dropped $1,300 on a rifle that came defective from the factory, and you have to ship it back on YOUR dime. no no no. That's just wrong.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

If the price is right, I will be going for the blued carbine in .44-40

It will likely be a while. They're only offering them in .357 mag for now I think.

 

[OldBrownDog]

Thanks guys - this is the first gun I ever bought, new or used (out of 25+) that needed any kind of repair. I'm pretty disappointed in both Winchester and the USPS right now. The box was addressed to "WRA Service Dept.". I don't think the average person would guess that stands for Winchester Repeating Arms. If someone stole it, they knew what to look for.

AP - Winchester just announced 1873's in .44-40 and .45LC. If my rifle gets found and straightened out without further expense on my part, I'm thinking real hard about the .44-40.

 

[J-Bar]

Unimportant picky trivial note...the thingy that pushes the hammer back on a '73 Winchester is called the "firing pin extension", not the bolt. When you take the sideplates off you can see that the FPE fits into the rear of the bolt, where it will transfer motion from the hammer to the true firing pin, which is captive inside the bolt. It is not all one piece.

...Just in case you have to order a new part someday, the correct nomenclature might help.

#67 in the diagram:

https://www.vtigunparts.com/store/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=42&cat=Uberti+1873+Rifle

 

[CraigC]

Well that sucks but it may be a blessing in disguise.....if they pay up.

 

[splithoof]

I once had a Marlin 1894; I wish the USPS had lost that one!

 

[1KPerDay]

Thanks for the report... I've been curious about the newer Winchesters

 

[OrangePwrx9]

Thanks guys - this is the first gun I ever bought, new or used (out of 25+) that needed any kind of repair. I'm pretty disappointed in both Winchester and the USPS right now. The box was addressed to "WRA Service Dept.". I don't think the average person would guess that stands for Winchester Repeating Arms. If someone stole it, they knew what to look for.

AP - Winchester just announced 1873's in .44-40 and .45LC. If my rifle gets found and straightened out without further expense on my part, I'm thinking real hard about the .44-40.

That missing rifle is a bummer, OBD. My experience with USPS settling claims isn't good; hope you don't experience the same thing. Don't be surprised if they put you through a lot of crap for a mistake that they made.

 

[OldBrownDog]

Well, the rifle is still in the USPS system. Apparently complaining got it miraculously found! At 7 AM this morning it arrived in Arnold, MO, according to USPS tracking. The good news is that I won't have to deal with USPS to get a claim paid. So long as I get my rifle back somewhat soon, I'll be happy.

If Winchester works some magic on it, I'll be very happy to have this rifle back. Otherwise, I'm afraid I'll wish the USPS HAD lost it.

I'll update when I hear from Winchester what the problem was.

 

[ThirdWatcher]

I know this is an old thread but what was the story on your 1873? (I've searched but haven't found the answer.)

I just picked mine up earlier this week but (thanks to work) I haven't made it to the range yet.

Thanks

 

[Ibmikey]

Third watcher, if no response send OP a PM to satisfy your curosity....

 

[OldBrownDog]

Sorry, never updated this thread. Winchester fixed my rifle up for free. The repair sheet doesn't say what they did, but they fixed it up and shipped it back. I had the rifle back in my hands 2 weeks after they got it. Thing runs like a champ for >1000 rounds (probably 75% .38Spl, 25% .357 Mag) since I sent it in.

Then, when I was a dummy and slipped and fell on some ice and rocks while out with it, I dinged up the toe of the buttstock and magazine tube badly. As in, chunk of wood missing and metal scratched up like someone took a rough file to it. Not a good look on such a pretty gun.

Called up Winchester, asked about repairs. They said send it right in. They even sent me a shipping label, and in three weeks from the day I sent it, I had my rifle back. New magazine tube and cap, serious woodwork done on the toe. I offered to pay for repairs, but they made my rifle look factory new again - at no cost to me, even though the damage was obviously my fault and occurred during normal use of the rifle.

The rifle runs like a champ, and has since after the first time I sent it in. Overall, I'm really pleased with the rifle and Winchester's customer service despite the early issues. I'm going to order either the .44/40 version or an 1892 in .45LC shortly.

 

[tark]

Oldbrowndog, did USPS know that you were shipping a firearm? I ask, because i'm pretty sure the USPS does not accept firearms for shipment , at least by private parties. I'm guessing it was returned to you by UPS or Fed Ex? If I'm right, the penalties for this could be quite severe, if USPS wanted to get snotty.

As you have just learned, if you want it to actually be DELIVERED, go with a private carrier.

Alls well that ends well, glad everything turned out well in the end.

 

[Bullseye]

That's kind of a wash having to send it in on your dime first time and second time around they fixed up your boogered up gun from damage in use free and with a shipping label provided.
I have a Uberti 45LC sporting rifle and had to send it back but mine was a problem with the carrier block. It took a long time ( about 2 months ) with no description as to what they did but looking down inside the dust cover, I can see some inconspicuous filing marks on my carrier block. No other marks on screws or rifle after it returned but it came back with comments as to condition when received. Noting some light marks on stock ( I think they caused these ) and light rust, which I cannot find, on magazine tube. At the time I bought mine, Winchester did not make 45LC, only .357, but if they had, I probably would have bought one like yours. I wish these repairs were more specific as to what they did to fix firearms when performed. Thanks for updating the thread.

 

[OldBrownDog]

tark - http://www.gunbroker.com/Support/SupportFAQView.aspx?FAQID=1118&NoCount=1

Anyone may ship a long gun (rifle or shotgun) via USPS. Handguns may only be shipped through USPS by an FFL.

Sigsmoker - a wash on shipping, but really, I should've had to pay for the damage in use and they took care of me, so I'm happy. When I got my rifle back the first time, it looked like they'd replaced hammer and sear. The finish wear that the first hammer had was no longer there. Pretty sure the sear was replaced too, just cant prove it. Those Uberti sporters are fine looking rifles. Does yours have a checkered stock? I think the checkered pistol grip stocks are really good looking.