? on winchester '73 versus '92

[bedbugbilly]

I have a couple of questions I'm hoping someone can just give me a quick answer.

I've been looking as I get ready to downsize on guns and get a couple of lever guns in the calibers I'm keeping to load.

I think I have pretty much narrowed it down to a Uberti 1873 to go along with my 38/357 SA revolvers. Probably a sporting rifle or short rifle.

In 45 Colt, I located a Uberti sporting rifle - was going to purchase it but long story short - didn't work out as the rifle had evidently been dropped off the rack at the gun shop and the crown appeared to have some damage as well as the front sight. In further assessment of what I want, I've decided that a carbine will fit my requirements perfect . . . fun to shoot and small enough to slide in a full length scabbard and put in the car when traveling "less traveled roads" int he boonies sometimes hear in southern AZ.

So . . . only thing going through it will be handloaded rounds with cast - 200 grain RNFP and the traditional 452/454 RNFP - mainly smokeless but some BP once in a while as well. I will state that I don't load anything to max and usually mid-range to a bit lower on the loading data charts (Lyman Cast Bullet Handbooks - #3 & #4.

My question is . . . .

I'm considering either another 1873 or a 1892. My experience with either at this point is very limited - just never shot many lever guns other than 94s in my 55 years of shooting. I am looking at either a Uberti or Winchester/Mikuro in for either the '73 or '82.

Obviously - '73 versus '92 is apples and oranges - '92 a much stronger action. I have had the chance to work the actions on the '73s - very smooth. I have not had the opportunity to work the action of the '92s. Regardless of if I go with a Uberti or Winnie (Mikuro) - if you were to lay the two rifles side by side - the '73 and the '92 - and load a 45 Long Colt through the side gate - is one easier loading than the other or about the same? In working the action of the two models, does one function better than the other in terms of getting the cartridge chambered and extraction after firing? Again - I know the two actions are of different designs.

I'm not looking to shoot "Ruger only" loads in either model - just wondering from those more experienced if they could only have on of them in 45 Colt for shooting lead - which one would you choose and why?

The other thing I realize is that the Uberti has the traditional half-cock safety and the '92 Winchester/Mikuro has the tang safety. That's not really a deal breaker for me as I doubt I would ever put a tang sight on it if I went with the Mikuro.

In looking at a number of videos - some on "tuning up", etc. - it seems like whether the '73 or the '92 - both makes seem about equal as far as the quality of the inside parts and both are pretty much the same with some minor differences on the inside parts between the two makers for each of the models and I'm confident that either would serve well. Stock wood/finish are different between the two makes but both are well made and for me, "form follows function".

So what say those who know both the '73 and the '92 - different action designed but is there a reason to pick one over the other for a 45 Colt carbine?

And I'll also add that in looking at several of the suppliers who have more reasonable prices, the differences in pricing is around $100 when comparing the Uberti with the Winchester/Mikuro so that isn't something that would really sway which direction to go. Higher priced than other brands but I'm only going to be doing this once and at my age, these are the two makes that I think I wo Ould enjoy the most as far as their history, weight and overall design.

Thanks.

[missionary5155]

Good afternoon
Yes the 92 models are very much stronger.
The 92 models are much lighter.
The model 92 with the same barrel length as a 73 is a shorter carbine / rifle.
The 92 models are not going to wear out like the toggle links of the model 73's will.
Yes I have model 92's and 73's.

But if you are going to shoot what I will write are mild 45 Colt loads the 73 will work OK. The 92's will not even know you shot them.
You do not mention what your revolvers are. Loads for a 45 Colt Dan Wesson / Ruger revolver will destroy a model 73. A model 92 will still be in one piece.
Mike in Peru

[sac]

The 73 has a smoother action then the 92. If you are going to shoot alot of BP I would go with the 73, easier to clean. If I was only to pick one it would be the 92 just so I could shoot ruger only loads if I wanted to or had to. With that being said I love my 73's.

[Walks]

92 in .357Mag, stronger, lighter, more (Versital?).
73 in .45Colt, smoother, easier maint/breakdown.



My spelling in getting worse.

[bedbugbilly]

I should have mentioned my 45 colt loads - my revolver is Uberti Cattleman - 7 1/2" - with 200 gr RNFP I use 6.5 gr of Red Dot and with the 452/454-190 RNFP - 255 isn grain - I use 6.0 gr. of Red Dot - I've used Unique, Bulls Eye and Greem Dot in appropriate loadings from #3 and #4 edition of Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook and the Red Dot loadings give me the best accuracy out of my 7 1/2" Cattleman at 25 and 50 yards. Developing a load that will work well out of the revolver and the carbine may be "back to the drawing board" time to develop a load that will work in both revolver and carbine but I'm certainly willing to try other powders besides RD to get something that will work in both the revolver and carbine.

[KCSO]

The way the actions work it seems the 92 needs a bigger chamber to work well. Most I have had would swell the brass more than the 73 and are more inclined to blow by with the harder brass. On the other hand the 73 in 45 colt do not seem to be as accurate. I actually prefer a 38 or a 44-40 for the best accuracy. The actions on the 73's can be slicked up more than the 92 if you want to ever get into shoot fast. If cost is a factor a Rossi 92 is cheaper than a Uberti or a Japchester. I have all three and would take a Uberti over either of the others, but I want an authentic gun.

[HawkCreek]

The way the actions work it seems the 92 needs a bigger chamber to work well. Most I have had would swell the brass more than the 73 and are more inclined to blow by with the harder brass. On the other hand the 73 in 45 colt do not seem to be as accurate. I actually prefer a 38 or a 44-40 for the best accuracy. The actions on the 73's can be slicked up more than the 92 if you want to ever get into shoot fast. If cost is a factor a Rossi 92 is cheaper than a Uberti or a Japchester. I have all three and would take a Uberti over either of the others, but I want an authentic gun.

My 92 is .45 Colt has the largish chamber issue. Enough that when it came time for me to get a '73 I wen't with a .44-40 even though it shouldn't need an oversized chamber at all due to the inline feeding.

As far as slicking up one or the other, if you buy a Miroku you won't need to mess around slicking it up. I'm up to 6 now, I've taken them all apart to one degree or another thinking I'd slick them up, not one has needed it at all. Not one. The tang safety and rebound hammer bothers some but neither has ever given me any trouble and they are easy for me to ignore.

[dverna]

I prefer the 73's. Easier to take apart and reassemble, smoother actions and they cycle faster if that matters.

I had a Rossi 92 and Miruko 92 clone and found the Uberti 73's suited me more. Sold both the 92's.

BTW, have a look at the 1894 Marlins. I have three of them and they function and shoot very well.

[KCSO]

I lost interest in the Winchester copies after problems with 6 1886 replicas that had light primer strikes and failure to fire from the rebound system. In addition the new 66 replicas are nothing historical, a short rifle with a round barrel and modern front sight just doesn't appeal to me in a $1000 rifle.

[FergusonTO35]

How about an Italian 1892?

[jstanfield103]

I can not comment on the 1873 never fired one. I do have the Miroku 1892 44 Mag. Love the rifle. Did not care for the rebounding hammer. Took me a total of 20 mins. to disable that feature. I like the tang safety actually so I am happy with the 92. You can not beat the quality of the Winchester Miroku. Excellent rifle.

[Larry Gibson]

I should have mentioned my 45 colt loads - my revolver is Uberti Cattleman - 7 1/2" - with 200 gr RNFP I use 6.5 gr of Red Dot and with the 452/454-190 RNFP - 255 isn grain - I use 6.0 gr. of Red Dot - I've used Unique, Bulls Eye and Greem Dot in appropriate loadings from #3 and #4 edition of Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook and the Red Dot loadings give me the best accuracy out of my 7 1/2" Cattleman at 25 and 50 yards. Developing a load that will work well out of the revolver and the carbine may be "back to the drawing board" time to develop a load that will work in both revolver and carbine but I'm certainly willing to try other powders besides RD to get something that will work in both the revolver and carbine.

I had a Rossi M92 rifle in 45 Colt and it shot quite well, was fairly smooth and gave no problems. However, Like you my loads were 200 gr cast (mostly the Lee 452-200-RF) suitable for both the rifle and my Uberti SAAs. I loaded the 200 gr bullets over 7.2 gr Bullseye which gave 1200 fps out of the 24" barreled M92 and 950 to 980 fps out of the 4 3/4 and 5 1/2" SAAs. I have measured the psi in a Contender test barrel via the Oehler M43 PBL and it runs 13,800 - 14,000 psi. The SAAMI MAP for the 45 Colt is 14,000 psi in deference to the original Colt SAA so that has proved to be an excellent and accurate load in the Uberti's and the M92. I really had no need for the extra strength the M92 offered as I just wanted a load that pushed the 200 gr cast bullet to 1150 - 1200 fps and be close to the SAAMI MAP.

However, when I came into a Uberti M73 Carbine with 20" full octagon barrel I found it to be much smoother than the M92 and "faster" to shoot, especially with the GEN III speed linkage I put in it. It has devoured several thousand of the 200 gr cast/7.2 gr Bullseye loads with nary a hitch. It loads as easily into the gate as did the M92. I regulated the rear sight elevation slide so the notches allow sight settings from 50 to 200 yards. I have been so fond of the M73 Uberti the M92 Rossi languished in the safe so I sold it several years back and have had no regrets.

The original 45 Colt load used a 230 gr bullet. I've recently acquired a Lee 6 cavity 452-230-TC mould and with the alloy I use at a BHN of 10 - 12 the bullets drop at .453 - .454 and weigh 233 gr. I also picked up a jug of 700X for nothing so decided to give it a try I the 45 Colt. I've found 7.2 gr of the 700X under the 233 gr TC bullet sized and lubed with BAC in a .454 H&I die runs 1150 fps out of the M73 Carbine and 950 - 975 out of the Uberti SAAs. The pressure of that load runs 14,300 psi....still well within the capability of those guns. It has proven to be a better load than the 200 RF/Bullseye load which was excellent.

Keep in mind many "standard" 45 Colt loads, particularly those with the 250 gr cast bullet, run up into the 17,500 - 19,500 psi range. Given the modern steels the Uberti's are made of and that they also are chambered in higher pressured cartridges I'm perfectly comfortable walking the desert here in Arizona with either load in all 3 guns. Your loads should generate less psi and would be as perfectly safe in the Uberti M73 as they are in your SAAs.

[Outpost75]

I have an Interarms Rossi '92 in .44-40 and it is better turned out than most original Winchesters. Smooth running and accurate.

I briefly had a Marlin 1894 in .45 Colt and also an H&R Cowboy Classic in .45 Colt and in both the chambers were so sloppy that standard-pressure smokeless loads would not upset the brass enough to seal the chamber, and the actions filled with crud. I sold the H&R and instead had John Taylor make a .45 Colt barrel for my pre-WW1 .44 shotgun, having a snug chamber, and this has been wonderful. As for the 1894 Marlin I had the barrel set back by John and rechambered to .45 ACP and had him rework the cartridge stops and lifter and it is an accurate and fun plinker.

[FergusonTO35]

Sweet! I've always had a hankering for a lever action chambered in an auto pistol cartridge.

[sharps4590]

I've had a few of both, '73 and '92 but never one in 45 Colt as it is not an original cartridge to either rifle. I've had them in all four of the other major cartridges, 44-40, 38-40, 32-20 and 25-20. I'm so fickle as to what is "my favorite", I have to have both. Currently an Uberti Sporting Rifle in 44-40 and an original '92 from 1913 in 32-20. One shoots as good as the other.

[moosemike]

I have an Interarms Rossi '92 in .44-40 and it is better turned out than most original Winchesters. Smooth running and accurate.

I briefly had a Marlin 1894 in .45 Colt and also an H&R Cowboy Classic in .45 Colt and in both the chambers were so sloppy that standard-pressure smokeless loads would not upset the brass enough to seal the chamber, and the actions filled with crud. I sold the H&R and instead had John Taylor make a .45 Colt barrel for my pre-WW1 .44 shotgun, having a snug chamber, and this has been wonderful. As for the 1894 Marlin I had the barrel set back by John and rechambered to .45 ACP and had him rework the cartridge stops and lifter and it is an accurate and fun plinker.

That's a bit hard to believe. Especially considering I have both and the Rossi isn't close to the gun that the real thing is.

[gbehrman]

I have had both in .45 Colt and agree with all the others but I have never seen a repro as Pretty as a 73. My vote is Uberti 73 short rifle. It will do all you want it to.