Winchester 1873
The Winchester Model 1873 is one of the most historically significant firearms ever produced — nicknamed “The Gun That Won the West,” it was the dominant repeating rifle of the American frontier era and remains in production today in faithful reproductions from Winchester, Uberti, and Taylor’s & Company. Chambered in pistol cartridges including .357 Magnum/.38 Special, .44-40 Winchester, and .45 Colt, the 1873 offers the unique appeal of rifle and revolver ammunition compatibility — one cartridge for both long gun and sidearm. Modern reproductions maintain the original’s aesthetic while incorporating quality improvements for reliable function with contemporary ammunition.
Read our full Winchester 1873 Buying Guide ↓
Winchester 1873 vs. Henry Lever Action: Which Lever Gun Should You Choose?
The Winchester 1873 and Henry lever-action rifles are the two most compared lever guns, but they serve different buyers. The Henry prioritizes smooth function, American manufacture, and modern convenience (larger magazine capacity, cleaner action). The 1873 prioritizes historical authenticity — the exposed hammer, the loading gate, the period-correct profile — and the ability to share ammunition with period-correct revolvers in .45 Colt or .44-40. For cowboy action shooting, the 1873 is the dominant choice due to its authenticity and SASS competition heritage. For a working lever gun or first-time buyer, the Henry is typically easier to operate and maintain.
1873 Caliber Guide: .357 Magnum, .44-40, or .45 Colt?
The .357 Magnum/.38 Special 1873 is the most practical modern choice: ammunition is widely available and affordable, recoil is mild, and the .357 Mag. has genuine defensive and hunting capability. The .45 Colt is the most authentic caliber for cowboy action shooting and pairs with single-action revolvers like the Colt SAA; ammunition is readily available. The .44-40 Winchester is the most historically authentic caliber — the original 1873 cartridge — but ammunition is specialty-market only and significantly more expensive. For general use, go .357 Magnum. For authenticity and SASS competition, .45 Colt. For the full historical experience regardless of cost, .44-40.
Winchester vs. Uberti 1873: Original vs. Reproduction
Winchester’s current production 1873 is manufactured in Japan by Miroku to high quality standards — smooth action, excellent fit and finish, faithful to the original design. Uberti (an Italian manufacturer) produces the most widely available 1873 reproductions and is the OEM behind many Taylor’s & Company and Cimarron branded guns. Both are quality options. Winchester’s version tends to have a better out-of-box action; Uberti offers more configuration options and is the foundation for most competition-ready builds. For a shelf piece or occasional range use, Winchester. For serious cowboy action competition where action tuning is expected anyway, Uberti provides a strong base.
Winchester 1873 for Cowboy Action Shooting
The 1873 is the rifle of choice for SASS (Single Action Shooting Society) cowboy action competition. Rules require period-correct lever-action rifles, and the 1873’s historical authenticity and smooth action make it the most popular competition platform. Competition shooters typically have their 1873 action-tuned by a specialist — lighter springs, polished internals, and timing adjustments that make for faster cycling under match conditions. Taylor’s & Company and Cimarron both offer pre-tuned competition variants. For SASS shooters, pairing a .45 Colt 1873 rifle with a pair of Colt Single Action Army revolvers in the same caliber is the classic configuration.
1873 for Trail, Ranch, and Home Defense
The 1873 in .357 Magnum is a practical ranch and trail rifle — comfortable to carry, effective at reasonable ranges on predators and deer-sized game, and sharing ammunition with a .357 Magnum revolver. The tube magazine holds 10–13 rounds depending on barrel length, and the lever action is intuitive to operate from a variety of positions. Sight options on modern reproductions typically include a blade front and adjustable buckhorn rear, adequate for field use. For home defense, the 1873 is more of a niche choice — the tube magazine requires loading individual rounds, but once loaded it’s a capable platform with the deterrence of a long gun.
Shop Winchester 1873 and Lever-Action Rifles at Impact Guns
Browse all lever-action rifles at Impact Guns including Henry and Marlin options. For .357 Magnum and .45 Colt ammunition, see our .357 Magnum ammo page. For cowboy action resources, see our cowboy action shooting guide.