Sounds like a nice rifle. I think that color case hardening may grow on you as you shoot the rifle more and more. The carbines are hard to find and you would need to keep the money set aside for when you spy one. I have to say the 24" barrels have a better "look" to me than the shorter carbine "20" barrels - if that is what you mean. They always looked "chopped off" to my eye although I watched a ton of westerns too growing up and all the good guys and baddies had Model 94's (even though the show era predated 1894). The 1873 has a larger receiver and therefore needs a longer barrel to make it symmetrical. If I were such an expert however, why am I sitting here typing!
Post us some pictures of your shot groups and rifle when you get your loads worked up. We would love to see your new hardware and what it can do! Shoot safe amigo.