Uberti 1874 Sharps
The Uberti 1874 Sharps is a faithful reproduction of the classic falling-block single-shot rifle, chambered in .45-70 and built for long-range accuracy over rapid fire. Impact Guns carries it in Special, Deluxe, and Buffalo Hunter configurations, plus the Quigley Down Under model — the exact 34" barrel rifle made famous by the 1990 film — all sharing the same falling-block action and period-correct aesthetics.
Read our full Uberti 1874 Sharps Buying Guide ↓
What Is a Falling-Block Action?
A falling-block action drops the breechblock straight down when you work the underlever, exposing the chamber for loading a single round, then rises back into place to seal the breech on closing. It's a single-shot design with no magazine — the trade-off for the strength and precision that made the original Sharps famous for extreme long-range accuracy in the 1870s buffalo-hunting and long-range target era.
The Quigley Down Under Rifle
The Quigley Down Under Rifle is Uberti's reproduction of the specific 34" barrel Sharps used in the 1990 film "Quigley Down Under," where Tom Selleck's character makes improbable long-range shots with a Sharps rifle. It's become one of the most requested configurations specifically because of the film, and Uberti built this variant to match the movie gun's specs closely.
Sharps Configurations: Special vs. Deluxe vs. Buffalo Hunter
The Sharps Special Rifle runs a 32" barrel for a slightly more compact, faster-handling rifle than the Quigley or Deluxe. The Sharps Deluxe Rifle steps up to a 34" barrel with upgraded fit and finish over the Special. The Buffalo Hunter Rifle, also 32", is styled after the working rifles carried by 1870s buffalo hunters rather than the more refined target/sporting configurations.
Why .45-70 for a Sharps Reproduction
.45-70 Government is the standard chambering across Uberti's Sharps lineup — a period-correct cartridge for the 1870s-era rifle with enough case capacity for the heavy, slow bullets that made the original Sharps effective at extreme range. It's also widely available and loaded by most major ammunition manufacturers today, unlike some historical Sharps chamberings that have gone fully obsolete.
Tang Sights: Soule and Creedmoor Options
A period-correct Sharps setup often includes a tang-mounted long-range sight rather than relying on the factory sights alone. Uberti offers Soule-type Long Range and Mid-Range Creedmoor tang sights, plus Universal Long Range and Short Range Creedmoor tang sights — all designed to bolt onto the tang for the elevated, precise rear sight picture serious long-range Sharps shooting calls for.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Quigley Down Under rifle different from other Uberti Sharps models? It's built to match the 34" barrel Sharps rifle used in the 1990 film “Quigley Down Under” — the same general specs as the Deluxe Rifle, but specifically marketed and configured to match the movie gun that made this configuration famous.
What caliber is the Uberti Sharps chambered in? .45-70 Government across the Special, Deluxe, Buffalo Hunter, and Quigley Down Under configurations — a period-correct, widely available cartridge for the 1870s-era rifle design.
Do I need a tang sight for a Sharps rifle? Not required, but a tang-mounted long-range sight like the Soule or Creedmoor options is period-correct and gives a more precise sight picture for long-range shooting than relying on the standard sights alone.
See Also: Uberti • Uberti 1873 Rifle • Single-Shot Rifles • Black Powder Rifles