Uberti 1866/1873?

[LIMPINGJ]

I have been looking at these for a few years and finally saved enough for one. Nobody I know has one and none of the shops around me have any to handle. I am going with 44WCF and shoot only black like I use in my other 44s. I know these are a heavier action than most Marlin and Win actions so which length barrel seems to balance best from a shooting and carrying standpoint? Also for you that have used both the 1866 and 1873 which do you prefer, I like the Yellowboys looks but the 1873 looks to be easier to keep the action clean.
Thanks

[454PB]

Mine is pretty much a safe queen, although I have done some experimenting.

87511

[Larry Gibson]

The M1873 Win was a large improvement over the M1866 in many ways; ease of maintenance with BP loads being a primary one. Taking the side plates off to clean would be the deciding factor for me with BP loads. I've a Carbine M1873 with full Octagon barrel. It balances easily and I carry it on walk abouts all the time. Mine is in 45 Colt though as are both my revolvers but I load them with smokeless using 200 gr FP cast to 44-40 velocities. Works for me.

Larry Gibson

87514

[gmsharps]

I have a yellow boy in a 45 Colt carbine and love it. I keep the velocities also in the 44-40 area just so I do not over stress the frame. I also have an original 1873 in 44-40 and I really like it and shoot it more than the yellow boy. I think with the side plates of the 1873 would be the more diserable if shooting black powder mainly for the cleaning process.

gmsharps