New Winchester 1873's. Anyone play with one?

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Zaydok Allen

Zaydok Allen

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I'm interested in the new Winchester 1873 in .357, with the case hardened finish. This would be my first lever gun.

Has anyone bought or handled one? Any opinions? Good? Great? Bad? Ugly?
 
I've been looking around at reproduction Model 1873s for 2 years now, and am waiting on a new shipment to come in so I can finally buy one. With the looking around I've done, I've found that by far the most popular modern 1873s are the ones being produced in Italy by Uberti. The new Miroku 1873 doesn't have much of a fan base yet, and not many people have gotten a hand on them, but if they're anything like what I've read on other Mirokus they should be excellent. However..

The big drawbacks on the Mirokus for me is:

1) They are only offered in one caliber as of yet, and that is .38/.357 Mag.
2) They are currently offering their 1873 in only two lengths, Carbine (19") and Short Rifle (20")
3) I HATE the look of the carbon-black "bluing" on Mirokus. I think it's downright ugly.
4) I also disdain the oil finish on their stocks. That, mixed with their shade of "blue", makes for one ugly gun IMHO.

That being said.. I don't think you can go wrong with a Miroku, as long as what you want aligns with what is offered. Right now I think they're testing the waters to see if the 1873s will sell, and that is why they have such limited options. I don't think they offer these in case hardening (?). Could be wrong.

Again, I do know that Uberti offers MANY options for an 1873 rifle, including sights, barrel length, calibers (some being original to the design), finishes, etc.
That is why I prefer a Uberti. Not to mention, I think they're drop dead gorgeous :D

An 1873 is a beautiful rifle no matter how you slice it. Having "WINCHESTER" stamped on the barrel of the Mirokus is what makes the deal for some. For others (like me), having more options available makes the Uberti more attractive. Mirokus have a great reputation, and if you think they're better than the Ubertis then buy one and don't look back (just stay away from the Chiappas..) I'm just trying to show you other existing options.

Great choice for you first levergun! (It will be mine, too :) )

-TheHappyGunner
 
I don't think they offer these in case hardening
Click to expand...

They do offer it in case hardened finish.

I do like the Ubertis as well, and am considering them heavily. I don't know that I care about the Winchester name as the gun is made in Japan anyway. If it was still made in America, it might play a factor.
 
I'm going for the 24" straight grip stock in .44-40, half-octagon barrel. Uberti of course. Taylor's & Co. of Winchester, Virginia is the only importer that offers the half-octagon barrel, but there are other Uberti importers that offer other options. Price varies a little between them, but they are all Uberti-made. Cimarron in Texas is another big importer, along with Taylors. I only live 2 hours from Winchester, Virginia so as soon as they give me a ring I'll be leaving to handpick mine. They're too expensive (for me) to gamble on whether or not I'll be mailed one with nice colors or not. Lots of cosmetic variations in the individual rifles which keeps things interesting.
 
Howdy

They are not very common yet. I have been looking but have not gotten my hands on one yet.

There are a few minor differences between the Winchester/Miroku version and the Uberti version.

Here is a link to a thread about it from the SASS Wire.

Take note of the information about the magazine endcap. You risk it flying off into the nether regions if you are not carful.

http://sassnet.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=210363&hl=

The scuttlebutt is that Winchester/Miroku is going to offer one in 44-40 soon.

Frankly, I am very happy with my Uberti 1873 and my original Winchester 1873, made in 1887.
 
I'd been looking for a .357 Mag lever gun for a while, just as a general use carbine to pair with my S&W M65. Marlin 1894's are drying up in general, and those in .357 without crossbolt safety are practically non-existent, and over $1000 most every time I've seen one.

So, I ordered a Mirokuchester 1873 through Cabela's in May. It came in last week, and I'm taking it off layaway before Christmas (I had actually forgotten I'd ordered it.) After handling it in the store - it's a Miroku, so fit and finish is impeccable. Lever is smooooth. D&T'd for a tang sight, which mine will be getting. No external safety of any type, though I've read there is a firing pin block arrangement?, but no rebounding hammer. I've already got a Browning 1886, so I'm ok with Miroku made Winchester copies, though of course I would prefer an original. (Just can't afford most of them!)

I'd thought about a Uberti, but I hadn't seen them locally under ~$1200, and I'm paying ~$1400 for the Miroku. I think it's worth it. I'll post a full report/pictures after I get it in my paws.....

ETA: Mine is color case hardened. It's not spectacular, but definitely not a badly done job.
 
Haven't seen one yet but they're probably fantastic rifles, like all of Miroku's other creations. I have two wonderful Winchesters and one Browning. They don't have the rebounding hammer like the others. My only issue is that the .357 just seems wrong for these guns. I'm waiting to see if they chamber the WCF's in a proper rifle.


Taylor's & Co. of Winchester, Virginia is the only importer that offers the half-octagon barrel, but there are other Uberti importers that offer other options.
Click to expand...
Dixie Gun Works has the octagon to round barrel configuration as well.
 
I would seriously consider one in 44-40, 44spl., 45 colt. .357 doesn't interest me in this gun.
 
.357 doesn't interest me, either. I'd get a '92 for that :D but it seems like Miroku is trying to market their 1873 to the CAS society where carbine length 1873s in .357 are common place. They'll eventually find there's a traditionalist market out there, too, who want the original chamberings.
 
IMO: They won't, if no one buys the .38./.357 test run.

Myself??

IF I needed another lever-action?
Which I most certainly don't.

The new Winchester/Miroku 1873 will be the best of the breed out there now.

I have three Winchester or Browning Miroku rifles.
Plus a gun cabinet full of old Winchesters.

And there has been nothing made by Uberti, or the old Winchester company back then, that compare in quality, or accuracy.

rc
 
Miroku makes them that well hey? I've handled a number of Browning bolt actions and have been very impressed by the fit and finish. I've not shot one though so I couldn't speak to accuracy. I'm leaning towards the Winchester most heavily as my first lever gun. I originally was looking at the Henrys, but I think the Winchester is far more stylish.

And it should be given the price.
 
Uberti sixguns are good guns for the money but IMHO, their rifles are excellent. I can find no fault with my 1873 Deluxe Sporting Rifle .38-40 and it shoots into an inch at 50yds with every load I've tried in it. The new Winchester 'may' be better but it ain't by much.

IMG_7033b.jpg
 
The picture above is exactly how it came. The stock is a little less red than most. You can see how much redder the grips on the sixgun are. The only change to the rifle has been to install a Marble's tang sight.
 
I picked up my new Mirokuchester 1873 - Christmas came early!:D It'll be paired with a S&W M65 4" (odd couple, but so what?).

Like I said before, fit and finish is immaculate. At least on par with my 1961 Winchester M94 or Miroku-built Browning 1886. Probably better. The markings are not authentic, like the Uberti's are. It'd be a nice touch, but I don't really care. Someone else may feel differently.

The case-coloring has grown on me. It is really pretty good. And the wood is better than any rifle I've ever owned. Quite a bit of figure.

No idea on accuracy, I picked it up Saturday and haven't been to the range yet. Hopefully I'll have time after Christmas, and I'll give a report. She'll be getting a tang sight soon too. The lever is smoother than even my well-worn Marlin 39, and I think it is only going to improve.

The safety catch for the lever (not the lever lock) is a little new to me - the lever doesn't naturally close all the way. It needs an extra push, unlike my other levers. I could easily see myself failing to fully depress the lever if I'm not paying attention. Guess I'll have to shoot it to get used to it! :D

1st pic shows it with two of my other lever guns - a Browning 1886 in .45/70 (top) and a Marlin Golden 39A in .22LR (bottom). My M94 felt left out :uhoh:

Overall, I am really happy with this rifle. I got a great deal on it, and it is better than I expected so far. No buyer's regret here! :D Well, except that now I think a .44-40 version paired with a Colt SAA in .44-40 would be really cool. And I don't even do CASS!:what:
 

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OldBrownDog said:
I picked up my new Mirokuchester 1873 - Christmas came early!:D It'll be paired with a S&W M65 4" (odd couple, but so what?).

Like I said before, fit and finish is immaculate. At least on par with my 1961 Winchester M94 or Miroku-built Browning 1886. Probably better. The markings are not authentic, like the Uberti's are. It'd be a nice touch, but I don't really care. Someone else may feel differently.

The case-coloring has grown on me. It is really pretty good. And the wood is better than any rifle I've ever owned. Quite a bit of figure.

No idea on accuracy, I picked it up Saturday and haven't been to the range yet. Hopefully I'll have time after Christmas, and I'll give a report. She'll be getting a tang sight soon too. The lever is smoother than even my well-worn Marlin 39, and I think it is only going to improve.

The safety catch for the lever (not the lever lock) is a little new to me - the lever doesn't naturally close all the way. It needs an extra push, unlike my other levers. I could easily see myself failing to fully depress the lever if I'm not paying attention. Guess I'll have to shoot it to get used to it! :D

1st pic shows it with two of my other lever guns - a Browning 1886 in .45/70 (top) and a Marlin Golden 39A in .22LR (bottom). My M94 felt left out :uhoh:

Overall, I am really happy with this rifle. I got a great deal on it, and it is better than I expected so far. No buyer's regret here! :D Well, except that now I think a .44-40 version paired with a Colt SAA in .44-40 would be really cool. And I don't even do CASS!:what:
Click to expand...
Nice! That looks like a short rifle.
I have the Uberti made version in saddle-ring carbine version in .44-40 caliber. It's nice to be authentic but it's also getting hard to obtain .44-40 except from internet order places that specialize in old timey cartridges....however they DO offer black-powder loaded cartridges.
My carbine has a color case hardened hammer but the receiver has a sort of plume color to it which really stands out in sunlight. The side-plates and other metal parts are normally blued (which is to say shiney black) so that receiver sort of stands out.
I'd like to get a color case hardened one sometime.
I wonder how the parts compare to the Uberti made version .......
Not too long after I bought mine, the spring that pushes against the safety interlock (which prevents the trigger from moving unless the lever is held shut) broke and Uberti was unable to replace the part at the time without waiting months for it to arrive from Italy. I ordered a part from Dixie Gun Works that was the equivelent REAL Winchester spring metal part and it fit like a charm. It is just a L shaped spring metal tab with a screw hole. No threads just hole so no worries about metric vs. English threads.
Anyway good luck & good shooting with yours OldBrownDog!
 
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