Winchester Model 1873 Short Rifle

As mentioned in a previous report of SHOT Show rumors, Winchester Repeating Arms is re-introducing the classic Model 1873 short rifle in 2013.  Considered by some as “the gun that won the west,” the new version of the classic lever action rifle will be chambered for the .357 Magnum and will also short the mild .38 Special cartridge.

The model 1873 has an oil-finished walnut stock with a straight grip.  The stock has a true-to-the-original crescent butt plate.  The metal is all blued steel. The Winchester 1873 has a 20″ round barrel and a full length tubular magazine.  The magazine will hold 11 .38 Special or 10 .357 Magnum cartridges.

Winchester has designed a brass carrier block so the gun ejects empty cases away from the shooter.  As a guy who has caught more than one hot piece of brass on the forehead, I can appreciate any gun that throws cases away from me.  Also, a new firing pin block is part of the model 1873 to help prevent any accidental discharges.

The front sight is a gold bead made by Marble Arms, while the rear sight is a semi-buckhorn.  Winchester does not specify the rear sights as being made by Marble Arms, so I assume they are not.  Winchester claims the action is “ultra-smooth” and is “competition ready right out of the box.”

Like almost all of Winchester’s firearms, this one is not made in the USA.  Winchester’s Japan plant manufactures all of their historical guns, including the 1894.  The model 1873 is manufactured outside of Kochi, Japan.  I suppose it is somewhat ironic that a country with extremely strict gun control (Japan) is making guns for a US-based company.  But, then, I don’t know that any of the guns being made in other countries are easily available to their own citizens.

Winchester Model 1873 Specifications:

• model: 1873
• caliber:  .357 Magnum/.38 Special
• capacity:  10 rounds (.357 Magnum), 11 rounds (.38 Special)
• barrel length:  20″
• overall length: 39″
• length of pull:  13″
• weight:  7.25 pounds
• stock:  oil-finished walnut, straight grip
• sights:  rear semi-buckhorn, Marble Arms front gold bead
• MSRP:  $1,299.99

While the semi-buckhorn rear sights are original to that era, I can’t help but laughing recalling a forum thread on them in which on commenter stated they were a “tool of the devil” that had been used to protect deer from being shot.  While that is an extreme exaggeration (or is it?), I can certainly appreciate the sentiment.

We’ll try to get you some more photos of the 1873 at the SHOT Show next week.