RainDodger
Member
Hello, everyone -
This is very different for me! Normally, I go in for the more modern, newer technology guns. For some reason though, over the last year or so I have developed this weird affinity for lever action rifles. I have no idea why! As a result, I have a review for you to take a look at if you're interested. The rifle is a Uberti 1873 - a direct reproduction of the Winchester 1873 in all respects other than the modern metallurgy and the fact that this one is in .357 Magnum.
It all began at my favorite gun shop when I asked if there was anything I really needed to see (big mistake!). They handed me this rifle. As I said, it's a Uberti - something I never would have asked to see. An Italian reproduction of a Winchester classic.
I've always preferred nice walnut, checkering, nicely finished steel and evident quality. As soon as I held this rifle, I knew it met all those requirements. It's a 20" "Short Rifle" 1873 model, with case hardened receiver, lever, trigger and hammer. The barrel is octagonal and beautifully blued. Wood is high quality walnut with the optional cut checkering. Fit and finish is superb - easily as nice as any rifle I own - sorry if that doesn't help describe the quality to you. The wood-to-steel fit is perfect... you almost can't feel the transition between the two. The butt is curved steel (blued) and matches the forend cap.
The first range trip was today. I took a selection of factory .357 cartridges, .357 hand loads, and another selection of .38 Special cartridges, both hand loads and factory. The simple description is - they all functioned perfectly, including the .38 Specials, which I understand has been a problem in the past. Lever action is extremely smooth and the trigger breaks cleanly with no creep. It could be lighter, but it breaks clean and it is completely useable.
Sights are standard buckhorns, though the rear sight has a nice deep cut that makes it easier to center the front sight. As it came from the factory, windage was perfect and elevation was adjustable with the rear sight slider.
.357 factory loads produced a basic shoulder "nudge" - not much recoil at all, as the rifle is quite heavy. Lighter hand loads and .38 Specials were very comfortable to shoot - you could shoot it all day with no problem.
Accuracy at 50 yards to start with, was quite nice - groups were fairly tight - probably 2" or so. At my range we cannot go forward to retrieve targets. Groups were pretty tight though, and prompted me to move right to 100 yards. At 100 with hand loads, I was easily holding center of mass with decent groups. You gotta remember that I don't have 20 year old eyes.
All things considered, it pretty much shoots where you aim it.
I'm sure I'll think of more to say once I post this.... but for now, that's it. This is a very nice rifle that functions and shoots well. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a piece of history. It's a copy of the rifle that "won the west" in every way. The action is very simple, but for anyone familiar, it's a unique and interesting action. Easy to clean and service. You can remove the side panels from the receiver if you wish - there's really not much to it. This is probably the smoothest operating lever action I've felt, and I have both Brownings and Winchesters.
If you buy one (they're not cheap, that's for sure), you're going to be happy with it.
Roger
Here's what it looks like:
This is very different for me! Normally, I go in for the more modern, newer technology guns. For some reason though, over the last year or so I have developed this weird affinity for lever action rifles. I have no idea why! As a result, I have a review for you to take a look at if you're interested. The rifle is a Uberti 1873 - a direct reproduction of the Winchester 1873 in all respects other than the modern metallurgy and the fact that this one is in .357 Magnum.
It all began at my favorite gun shop when I asked if there was anything I really needed to see (big mistake!). They handed me this rifle. As I said, it's a Uberti - something I never would have asked to see. An Italian reproduction of a Winchester classic.
I've always preferred nice walnut, checkering, nicely finished steel and evident quality. As soon as I held this rifle, I knew it met all those requirements. It's a 20" "Short Rifle" 1873 model, with case hardened receiver, lever, trigger and hammer. The barrel is octagonal and beautifully blued. Wood is high quality walnut with the optional cut checkering. Fit and finish is superb - easily as nice as any rifle I own - sorry if that doesn't help describe the quality to you. The wood-to-steel fit is perfect... you almost can't feel the transition between the two. The butt is curved steel (blued) and matches the forend cap.
The first range trip was today. I took a selection of factory .357 cartridges, .357 hand loads, and another selection of .38 Special cartridges, both hand loads and factory. The simple description is - they all functioned perfectly, including the .38 Specials, which I understand has been a problem in the past. Lever action is extremely smooth and the trigger breaks cleanly with no creep. It could be lighter, but it breaks clean and it is completely useable.
Sights are standard buckhorns, though the rear sight has a nice deep cut that makes it easier to center the front sight. As it came from the factory, windage was perfect and elevation was adjustable with the rear sight slider.
.357 factory loads produced a basic shoulder "nudge" - not much recoil at all, as the rifle is quite heavy. Lighter hand loads and .38 Specials were very comfortable to shoot - you could shoot it all day with no problem.
Accuracy at 50 yards to start with, was quite nice - groups were fairly tight - probably 2" or so. At my range we cannot go forward to retrieve targets. Groups were pretty tight though, and prompted me to move right to 100 yards. At 100 with hand loads, I was easily holding center of mass with decent groups. You gotta remember that I don't have 20 year old eyes.
All things considered, it pretty much shoots where you aim it.I'm sure I'll think of more to say once I post this.... but for now, that's it. This is a very nice rifle that functions and shoots well. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a piece of history. It's a copy of the rifle that "won the west" in every way. The action is very simple, but for anyone familiar, it's a unique and interesting action. Easy to clean and service. You can remove the side panels from the receiver if you wish - there's really not much to it. This is probably the smoothest operating lever action I've felt, and I have both Brownings and Winchesters.
If you buy one (they're not cheap, that's for sure), you're going to be happy with it.
Roger
Here's what it looks like:
