Straight or Pistol Grip on 1873 Lever Rifle?

[KentuckyBlue]

I'm looking for an 1873 Winchester style lever acion rifle in .357. I would appreciate information on the types of grips. What's your preference and pros and cons of each. thanks.

 

[fireman 9731]

I prefer a straight grip on my lever guns.

It just feels right and I hate the look of a curved lever.

 

[CraigC]

I like the looks of both but a pistol grip is just more comfortable for me. Plus I think the Deluxe Sporting Rifle configuration is a little classier.

 

[Uncle Mike]

Pistol grip for me....

 

[Sweet]

I prefer the pistol grip. I have a deluxe border that I just love.

 

[Red Cent]

Pistol grip. It is more ergonomical. Be sure to tap picture again after it openss first time.

 

[JWF III]

I'm not into Cowboy Action shooting (though I'd probably love it, and have another gun "addiction")... I'm not into collecting repos... I love old Winchesters, and I love shooting old Winchesters...

With that said, I've never seen an old Winchester '73 with anything but a straight stock. (Though I wouldn't be surprised if some were made.) If it was me, I'd stick with the straight; just for the authenticity. But it's not me...

Wyman

 

[Balrog]

The pistol grips sure shoot better, but I guess if you are just going to look at the gun, the straight grip looks better.

 

[MCMXI]

I have five Marlins including two 1894s and three 1895s but for lever action rifles in general, with powerful rifle cartridges such as the .45-70 Govt I much prefer a pistol grip, but for pistol cartridges where recoil is negligible to non-existant, a straight grip is just fine.

 

[CraigC]

If it was me, I'd stick with the straight; just for the authenticity.

They are 100% authentic! Straight grips are more common but pistol grips were certainly available. All our modern replicas are based on originals like this one. So it would seem to me that if the 1873 Deluxe Sporting Rifle strikes your fancy, a nice replica at around $1100 is a much more economical way to scratch your itch than a $12,000 original. I think.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=180477281

 

[Al LaVodka]

Pistol Grip is supposed to reduce felt recoil. But an English grip? Nice!
Al

 

[JWF III]

Quote:
If it was me, I'd stick with the straight; just for the authenticity.

They are 100% authentic! Do you think they pulled those designs out of thin air??? Nope, straight grips are more common but pistol grips were certainly available. All our modern replicas are based on originals like this one. So it would seem to me that if the 1873 Deluxe Sporting Rifle strikes your fancy, a nice replica at around $1100 is a much more economical way to scratch your itch than a $12,000 original. I think.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=180477281

With that said, I've never seen an old Winchester '73 with anything but a straight stock. (Though I wouldn't be surprised if some were made.)

If you're going to quote me, quote the all of the relevant context. I never said they weren't made. I said it wouldn't surprise me if they were. But looking at, buying and shooting old Winchesters over the past 25 years, I'll stand by my statement; I've never seen an old, original, '73 with a pistol grip.

Wyman

 

[Red Cent]

Yup, they shore did.

"Winchester 1873 Antique Third Model Deluxe Short Rifle .44 WCF."
Manufacture date 1886.

 

[Maverick223]

I like the aesthetics of the straight grip, it just looks at home on a period styled lever rifle. It was good enough for JM Browning...it was good enough for Teddy Roosevelt...it is good enough for me.


OTOH i'll take a pistol grip for better control and comfort on a "modern" lever.

 

[CraigC]

If you're going to quote me, quote the all of the relevant context. I never said they weren't made. I said it wouldn't surprise me if they were. But looking at, buying and shooting old Winchesters over the past 25 years, I'll stand by my statement; I've never seen an old, original, '73 with a pistol grip.

Sorry sir, you stated that pistol grip `73's were not authentic. Which is completely false and I showed you a fine example.

Folks tend to think of the pistol grip levergun as a modern invention but nearly every model originally made by Winchester was available with the option. Including the 1873, 1886, 1876, 1892 and 1894. Some, like the 53, 65 and 71 were only built with a pistol grip. The straight grip was simply more common as it was the standard configuration for rifles and saddle ring carbines.

FWIW, Theodore Roosevelt despised the nickname "Teddy" and never went by it. His wife and friends knew him as "Thee".

PS, I apologize for the tone of my earlier post. I realized it might have come off a little snotty. I fixed it.