If you are looking at the proper classic 1873 clones then I would not want to run a steady stream of full bore .44Mag rounds thru them. It won't be dangerous if you stick to the SAMMI load levels but you'll likely beat up the gun and cause it to wear loose far sooner than it should.
If by "1873" you were referring to the generic single action revolvers such as a Ruger Blackhawk or Super Blackhawk then by all means fill your boots.
I'd suggest you go for a Super Blackhawk in .44Mag and look into carefully exploring the "Ruger Only" load levels. You'll obviously need to get into reloading your own stuff to do so but it should satisfy your need for recoil.
You might find that you need to get a different set of grips for this gun depending on the size of your hands. I put some fatter grips onto my SBH because with the stock ones it kept slamming the trigger guard into the back of my middle finger with full power loads. I made my own grips which are fatter around the neck and now I can shoot full power loads without the gun "stretching" my hand as much and causing the guard to slam into my fingers. Even one handed I don't get the dreaded "Draggon Guard Bite" since the changeover.
Now if it's simply all about the recoil kick then why stop with a .44Mag? Get yourself a Ruger Super Redhawk in .454Casull! ! ! !
I completely agree, if you go with the SBH, re: changing the grips. I ran into the same problem on the trigger guard and it is somewhat common. I replaced those pretty rosewood grips with a practical set of Hogue grips. Nice for one handed shooting.
