Anyone own or shoot a Cimarron/Uberti 1873 Winchester rifle? I’m looking at the long range version with 30 inch barrel and I’ve never encountered anyone who owns or has owned one. What kind of quality/durability do these rifles possess? How accurate can I expect one to be? For those who have seen/owned/handled one, do you consider them worth the money?
Cimarron Winchester reproductions/1873
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ShunZu
member
MY brother-in-law bought one about 3 months ago in .45 LC. Paid $1500 for it and had to wait about 6 weeks for it to come in. It is, without a doubt, the most beautiful-to-look-at-'73 I've seen. BUT, he sold me his '92 EMF Hardford, (2 digit serial # under 30) octagon barrel beauty also with case hardening. We took'em both to the range for a little competitive comparison.
The Hartford, sadly, smoked the Cimmaron in accuracy. The front sight wasn't tightened down (it has a lock screw, a very nice touch) so we adjusted it and he tried another group. At 50 yards it was printing all over the paper -- and he's not a bad shot, but he never let me shoot to see if he was having a bad day or if it was the rifle. I then took the Hartford that he'd sold me for $400 and put 10 shots inside the 3 inch orange bull, at which point he said "I think I made a mistake." He wiped down the Cimmaron, put it back in the case and took it home. To my knowlege, he hasn't had it out to the range since. The Hartford's front sight has a little gold bead on it, and I was surprised to see the Cimarron was just a standard front sight, nothing to highlight the top of the post.
Only 1 story, but true. But again, it is an absolutely beautiful rifle to behold, and I'm sure it would shoot fine with the proper ammo and shooter behind it. We were shooting Black Hills factory cowboy loads (his, not mine -- I reload).
And I've had the Hartford to the range MANY times since. IMHO hard gun to beat for the money.
Here's a couple pics of the Hartford. Next time I'm at his house, I'll get a couple pics of the Cimmaron.
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee194/ShunZu/DSCN1581.jpg
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee194/ShunZu/DSCN1582.jpg
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee194/ShunZu/DSCN1584.jpg
The Hartford, sadly, smoked the Cimmaron in accuracy. The front sight wasn't tightened down (it has a lock screw, a very nice touch) so we adjusted it and he tried another group. At 50 yards it was printing all over the paper -- and he's not a bad shot, but he never let me shoot to see if he was having a bad day or if it was the rifle. I then took the Hartford that he'd sold me for $400 and put 10 shots inside the 3 inch orange bull, at which point he said "I think I made a mistake." He wiped down the Cimmaron, put it back in the case and took it home. To my knowlege, he hasn't had it out to the range since. The Hartford's front sight has a little gold bead on it, and I was surprised to see the Cimarron was just a standard front sight, nothing to highlight the top of the post.
Only 1 story, but true. But again, it is an absolutely beautiful rifle to behold, and I'm sure it would shoot fine with the proper ammo and shooter behind it. We were shooting Black Hills factory cowboy loads (his, not mine -- I reload).
And I've had the Hartford to the range MANY times since. IMHO hard gun to beat for the money.
Here's a couple pics of the Hartford. Next time I'm at his house, I'll get a couple pics of the Cimmaron.
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee194/ShunZu/DSCN1581.jpg
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee194/ShunZu/DSCN1582.jpg
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee194/ShunZu/DSCN1584.jpg
Seafarer12
Member
I like the look of them and hear they are nice but I wouldnt buy one. The 73 action isn't very strong, I like being able to shoot hot loads. The 30 barrel on a pistol caliber is overkill too. I have never owned a Cimarron. I took a look at one of their pistols the model p JR and it had the crappiest trigger of any single action I have ever felt. It had takeup and creep. I was wanting one because they sell the P jr in 32-20 along with a 32 h&r mag cylinder that would be long enough to rechamber into the 327 mag that just came out. I will have to think about it more before I drop the cash on one.
I have Uberti made 1860 steel frame Henry from Cimarron and an Uberti 1873 carbine both in .45 Colt.
I haven't had the problems previously noted with my rifles.
Both are accurate and reliable with triggers that are acceptable.
The toggle link action is weak compared with John Browning designed lever actions so stay away from Cor-Bon type high pressure cartridges.
The rifles will handle any standard .45 Colt loadings.
I agree that a 30" barrel isn't necessary unless you are looking for a few more cartridges in the tube.
That long, heavy, octagonal barrel will make the rifle a bit unwieldy and hard to swing and keep on target.
I believe the 30" barrel, full magazine guns will hold 17 shots.
My Henry rifle with a 24" barrel will hold 13 cartridges and the 19" 1873 carbine will hold 11 cartridges.
As for durability, I have fired several hundred rounds through both rifles without any problems. HTH
I haven't had the problems previously noted with my rifles.
Both are accurate and reliable with triggers that are acceptable.
The toggle link action is weak compared with John Browning designed lever actions so stay away from Cor-Bon type high pressure cartridges.
The rifles will handle any standard .45 Colt loadings.
I agree that a 30" barrel isn't necessary unless you are looking for a few more cartridges in the tube.
That long, heavy, octagonal barrel will make the rifle a bit unwieldy and hard to swing and keep on target.
I believe the 30" barrel, full magazine guns will hold 17 shots.
My Henry rifle with a 24" barrel will hold 13 cartridges and the 19" 1873 carbine will hold 11 cartridges.
As for durability, I have fired several hundred rounds through both rifles without any problems. HTH
While I have not worked with a 30-incher, my experiences with the Uberti-made leverguns (Cimarron is the importer, not the maker) have all showed better accuracy than Shun describes.
Sometimes it takes trying more than one load to find one that works in a particular rifle.
Sometimes it's a matter of the sight picture. With a standard black post, you'll tend to get better target accuracy by using a six-o'clock hold placing the bottom of the bull's-eye square on top of the post than by trying to repeatedly center the top of the post inside the center of the bull.
A brass bead is typically used a little differently, and the friend may have been trying to use the Cimarron post the same way as he was used to using the bead on the EMF '92.
I wouldn't write off the Cimarron entirely without pursuing other ammo options and figuring out a workable sight picture first.
Uberti makes the repro Winchesters for several importers & each importer contracts for certain features & overall quality levels. Cimarron's Uberti leverguns are usually about the best you can get from Uberti.
Denis
Sometimes it takes trying more than one load to find one that works in a particular rifle.
Sometimes it's a matter of the sight picture. With a standard black post, you'll tend to get better target accuracy by using a six-o'clock hold placing the bottom of the bull's-eye square on top of the post than by trying to repeatedly center the top of the post inside the center of the bull.
A brass bead is typically used a little differently, and the friend may have been trying to use the Cimarron post the same way as he was used to using the bead on the EMF '92.
I wouldn't write off the Cimarron entirely without pursuing other ammo options and figuring out a workable sight picture first.
Uberti makes the repro Winchesters for several importers & each importer contracts for certain features & overall quality levels. Cimarron's Uberti leverguns are usually about the best you can get from Uberti.
Denis
Mine is a 24'' in 44wcf and has been exellent since day one. Lovely fit and finish and never even the suggestion of a jam. While not as accurate as a 223 these guns are more about comunication with our past and our forefathers which to me latley is more important than shooting small groups on paper.
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ShunZu
member
You guys are right... as I said above, I wish he'd given me the opportunity to shoot it the same day we were on the range. My brother-in-law isn't a BAD shot, but he doesn't shoot often and hadn't shot a rifle in months prior to our visit that day. In other words, "Your results may vary". 
If I get to shoot it, I'll post the results. Sure is a beautiful piece though.
If I get to shoot it, I'll post the results. Sure is a beautiful piece though.iamkris
Member
I love the looks and history of the 73 and there is nothing like the sound of it's action. There is a "tink" that comes through when you cycle the lever...must be heard to be appreciated.
Sort of like the 4 clicks of a SAA, or the wonderful sound that a Merlin-powered Mustang makes.
Sort of like the 4 clicks of a SAA, or the wonderful sound that a Merlin-powered Mustang makes.
Stump Water
Member
Have four Uberti '73s (Cowboy Action Shooter). All have 20" bbl.
Used to have one w/30" bbl. but it was just too unwieldy for the game.
The quality of the Uberti guns runs from fair to very good. The "deluxe" models (pistol grip and checkering) usually have better fit/finish than the straight-stocks. While Uberti makes them all, some of the distributors have options that are unique. For example... Cimarron has the "charcoal blue" and "antique" finishes, and Taylors has the "trapper" model with an 18" bbl.
As for durability, if you take it apart and stone/smooth all of the internals it'll last you a lifetime... unless you're a cowboy action shooter, but what we do to these "old west" guns falls under the category "abuse".
Finally, if you want to turn a fairly handsome gun into a beautiful gun, remove the stocks and strip off that abominable "red" finish. Then rub linseed oil in until it glows.
Used to have one w/30" bbl. but it was just too unwieldy for the game.
The quality of the Uberti guns runs from fair to very good. The "deluxe" models (pistol grip and checkering) usually have better fit/finish than the straight-stocks. While Uberti makes them all, some of the distributors have options that are unique. For example... Cimarron has the "charcoal blue" and "antique" finishes, and Taylors has the "trapper" model with an 18" bbl.
As for durability, if you take it apart and stone/smooth all of the internals it'll last you a lifetime... unless you're a cowboy action shooter, but what we do to these "old west" guns falls under the category "abuse".
Finally, if you want to turn a fairly handsome gun into a beautiful gun, remove the stocks and strip off that abominable "red" finish. Then rub linseed oil in until it glows.
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What kind of accuracy can I expect at say, 50 yards open sights? I was looking at the 30 inch barrel model just to squeeze as much accuracy as possible out of the rifle. Plus I love the look and feel of that long barrel sticking out above the wood ( I'm not interested in using it for hunting or for competition).
I am also a Cowboy action shooter
I currently own one 73 in 45 colt and I had another Cimmaron in 38-40. The 38-40 was very accurate. At 100 yards off-hand I could consistantly hit 12" knock downs. The 45 is good but not as good. As for the 30" barrel, you are absolutely right. it is a thing of beauty. It just looks right on that particular gun. I almost bought one but, for my purposes, it really was just too long. Buy it just for its looks.
I currently own one 73 in 45 colt and I had another Cimmaron in 38-40. The 38-40 was very accurate. At 100 yards off-hand I could consistantly hit 12" knock downs. The 45 is good but not as good. As for the 30" barrel, you are absolutely right. it is a thing of beauty. It just looks right on that particular gun. I almost bought one but, for my purposes, it really was just too long. Buy it just for its looks.
CaptMac
Member
Cimmachester 1873
I have owned several I prefer the 20" border rifle, all are outstanding little rifles. I owned a 30" it was very pretty, and it shot very well was smooth as glass as well, but I found it way front heavy, I ended up selling it to another CAS shooter.
I have owned several I prefer the 20" border rifle, all are outstanding little rifles. I owned a 30" it was very pretty, and it shot very well was smooth as glass as well, but I found it way front heavy, I ended up selling it to another CAS shooter.
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