A few weeks ago I purchased a Winchester (Miroku) 1873 Deluxe Sporting in .44-40 Win. I always worry when ordering firearms over the internet (though I've only had one bad experience). I was pleasantly surprised when this one arrived, it had pretty good case color on the receiver, lever, shotgun buttplate and forend cap, not the best case coloring I've ever seen but real nice for a factory gun. But it had some of the best wood I've ever seen on any reproduction 1873!
Buttstock:
Forearm:
Case Color:
Out in the desert where she belongs:
It'd inline for some upgrades. Namely a reproduction of the Rocky Mountain front sight in german silver (because I really hate bead front sights) and a tang rear sight of some sort because I'n not a fan of barrel mounted rear sights (I'd like a vernier type but I'm having trouble finding one). But be that as it may I finally had some time to go out and put some rounds through her today. It was shooting a little to the right but that's an easy fix once I get a new front sight for it. I was shooting factory Ultramax 200 grain RNFP, not sure if that is a gas checked bullet or not (a assumed not but the barrel was very clean when I got home only needing a quick pass to clean it up). Components as well as loaded ammo is as rare as hens teeth around here so for now I have half a box of the Ultramax left and then I'll need to start ordering reloading supplies.
Anyway here's the results of todays test shoot at 30 yards.
Standing unsupported, aiming point was the 2/3 of the way up the left edge of the target (target is a 3"x3" square equally bisected).
Right target is the same as above. Left target is off a redneck bench rest (tailgate), aiming point for the first two rounds (lower two) was the bottom left corner of the target then for the last three rounds I aimed at the center line still on the left edge.
I haven't fired offhand for quite some time and it was apparent to me watching my sights bobble I need to get back to it! It was also apparent that I'm getting older and my eyes aren't what they used to be. I am impressed with the rifle, less so with myself. When I first got the rifle the first couple times working the action were a little gritty but that went away by the 5th time I worked it. Took it apart to polish and clean things up inside and was surprised to find that nearly every point was already polished! I was already a fan of the quality of Miroku firearms but it seems on these 1873's they are upping their game. This is by far the slickest lever gun I've got and the nicest factory trigger on a lever gun I have as well. I'm no stranger to taking apart a new lever action to stone the trigger and other contact points, I can honestly say this one didn't need any help. Might need a short stroke kit if you want to shoot really fast but out of the box I think it's one of the if the the nicest 73's you can get these days.