Uberti 1873 Competition

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MellyVinelli

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Hi all.

I was originally looking into a Marlin 1894 but now that they don't make the octagonal barrels in 357/38 I started looking at other possibilities. I then came across the uberti 1873 and fell in love with them. Beautiful guns...wow.

I see that Uberti offers a case hardened short rifle with a 20" octagonal barrel with a crescent stock but then also saw one with a shotgun stock but already slicked up out of the factory.

I do like the look of the crescent and some argue that it keeps the stock in place when cycling fast but some like the comfort a shotgun stock offers. So my question is whether I should go for a regular short rifle and slick it up at my gunsmith or is the factory job with shotgun stock the way to go?

I did try to search on this topic so sorry if there is already a discussion I couldn't find.

Thanks!
 
A friend of mine picked up one of the 73's with the shotgun stock and factory short stroke kit a couple years ago and while it is better than a stock Uberti it's no where close to what you can expect from a job done by a gunsmith who knows 73's. I also prefer both the look and function of the crescent stock for CAS shooting and have 4 short stroked 73's and a 66 done by 4 different smiths and to me they are all much smoother than the factory job.
 
Especially since 357/38 is so light, there doesn't seem to be a justifiable reason in my mind why a crescent stock would be to hard...but I would have to really try a few. Since you have quite a few of these Ubertis, are there a number of places that have them readily in stock or are they generally a special order kind of thing?
 
I bought a regular short rifle and am totally happy with it. I find that the crescent stock, slides on your shoulder depending which material your clothes are made from.
 
MellyVinelli said:
Especially since 357/38 is so light, there doesn't seem to be a justifiable reason in my mind why a crescent stock would be to hard...but I would have to really try a few. Since you have quite a few of these Ubertis, are there a number of places that have them readily in stock or are they generally a special order kind of thing?
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The 73's are not that hard to find but you do need to do a bit of looking. I've purchased them new from Rusty Wood Trading Co, Elwood Epps, and Country Classics. Wolverine Supplies, and Shooters Choice also generally have them listed on their websites, just do a google search. +

Another good choice is the 73's made for Winchester at the Miruko factory in Japan. They are very well made and in my opinion the fit and finish along with the finish on the internals is better. They also come from the factory with a shorter stroke and while not a short stroke kit they are fairly close the 3rd gen kits for the Uberti, Rumor has it the steel is better quality as well but I'm not qualified to say one way or another. A discussion with a smith who works on them might help figure that part out. The down side of the Winchester's is they are relatively new to the market and harder to find after market parts like short stroke kits but Pioneer Gun Works in the USA makes parts and ships to Canada at reasonable prices.

Garand makes a good point about the 73's sliding around on your shoulder. Part of that can be proper mounting and levering the action but the best thing you can do is put a butt stock cover on them. That seems to help keep the from sliding around as good as any thing.

Hope this helps you with your decision
Chuck
 
For any Cowboy Shooters that choose to deal with Country Classics, be VERY careful in your dealings with them. A number of Cowboy Action shooters in Alberta & Saskatchewan have had less than favorable results in dealing with them.
 
I just purchased a Uberti 66 and it is the smoothest lever I have ever seen. I saw a few Winchester 1873 and one 66 (I think ) at Epp's. Not cheap though.
 
Haha thanks everyone for the input! I was so set on a Uberti 73 but now I have all these questions in my head again! I would have set my mind on a miroku winchester but I wanted a 20" full octagon barrel which they don't seem to have. That is my original reason for going with Uberti. Something for me to think about..
 
If it helps, most of the Top Guns use Uberti short rifles, that are all tricked out. You can buy the rifle and slick it up yourself, or Rusty Wood sells the Uberti slicked and competition ready.
 
MellyVinelli said:
Haha thanks everyone for the input! I was so set on a Uberti 73 but now I have all these questions in my head again! I would have set my mind on a miroku winchester but I wanted a 20" full octagon barrel which they don't seem to have. That is my original reason for going with Uberti. Something for me to think about..
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One thing to keep in mind comparing a 73 to the 60's or 66's. The 73 has the trigger locked until action is fully closed, preventing out of battery firings. Way more than one cowboy has had an OB with these guns when using them "at speed". Damages can be anywhere from none, to spraying the shooter and timer operator with hot powder and brass shrapnel, to a gun so damaged as to make it a boat anchor.

These are fun guns and work very well for the cowboy game but if you touch the bang switch on the upstroke of the lever it can get very embarrassing in a hurry. I've never had it happen to me but have been present for at least a half dozen instances with others, usually I was holding the timer and its not fun to be around.
 
Garand said:
I can vouch for Rusty Woods M73's, fantastic rifles
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Just emailed them today and due to import costs and exchange rate they don't import any guns from the states anymore. Too bad. I would have wanted to support a good Ol BC and one stop shop for the gun, action job, and parts! They do still offer the action job (pricey though)...anyone know anything about Italian Sporting Goods in Vancouver?
 
warrenlikesboats said:
Well that's scary.....

What's ur guys thoughts on the durability/longevity of the brass uberti recievers, like the 66 and such ?
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My opinion on them is that used the way they were intended when designed and invented, namely, low pressure BP equivalent rounds (read that as "cowboy loads only) they will last forever...if you want to rev them up with hot handloads for hunting and such go with something else.
 
Dont discount the Henry. I use mine in Cowboy Shooting and love it. 20" octagonal barrel and the action is very smooth in my opinion. Price is not bad either I paid under 900CDN and bought locally. May not be the best/fastest cowboy rifle out there but then I am not the best/fastest shooter out there either, but I do have alot of fun shooting it at matches.
 
Stay away from Country Classics. Like others I had a bad experience and Cimmaron's warranty seems to be practically worthless in this country. I can also say the Miroku Winchesters are superior to Uberti/ Cimmaron/Taylor in fit, finish, workmanship and metal quality.
 
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