Help needed on .38 sp vs .357 mag lever action reliability.

[Vladivar]

First off, forgive any incorrect terminology, I am not a gun smith nor any kind of expert - just trying to get some opinions and advice from those of you more experienced than I am.

My question is around the difference between the Winchester 1866 and 1873 feed mechanisms and their ability to feed .38 special ammo.

If I understand it correctly, the big difference between the actions is how the round is lifted from the magazine and loaded into the chamber. The 1866 method is to pick up the round and feed it via a "ramp" which causes the round to transition at an angle. The 1873 however lifts the round from the magazine straight up horizontally to the chamber.

My question is - when using factory .38 special ammo (that will be slightly shorter than the .357 the rifles were designed for) which of the 2 actions is likely to feed more reliably when run at speed.

I have also noticed that adverts for 1866 rifles tend to list them as .38 special specifically where the 1873 tends to be advertised as .38/.357, would this indicate that the 1866 will by design be more suited to the .38 sp round?

Any opinion on what rifle to buy (Winchester/Uberti/Marlin etc) would also be welcome.

Thanks in advance for any comments.

 

[Al-Sway]

I think you might have the two rifle models mixed up, to begin with.
The 1866 was first, and was first produced, I believe, with a brass frame, but I also believe they came in iron frame (receiver). It did not have a forend wood. The 1873 came along next with some modifications, including forend wood. As far as I know they both feed the same way, with a cartridge lifter moving the cartridge vertically into line with the chamber.
The Model 1892 was a completely different design, and in this the cartridge lifter tilts the cartridge up and it is fed into the chamber at an angle, essentially bouncing off the top of the chamber before it straightens out and is fed the rest of the way in.
So, what rifle you want to buy depends on what you want to use it for, and how much you want to pay. The 66 and 73 are popular for Cowboy Action Shooting because they can operate somewhat faster than a 92. The Marlins are also popular. If you want the rifle for something else, such as hunting or just playing, then the 92 and Marlins are also fine.

 

[Jeepster]

I got a big boy and it will fire .38 and .357. a little heavy for what it is but it functions beautifully.