Winchester 1873 for $500...Sometimes I'm Lucky! (Rebuild)

[rbertalotto]

A few weeks ago I picked up an old 1873 Winchester that needed lots of love! This one was a real challenge but I think it came out pretty good!


Lots of pictures so I wrote an entire article for my web page


www.rvbprecision.com


http://images16.fotki.com/v369/photos/2/36012/13547848/P1260009-vi.jpg


Enjoy!

[TXGunNut]

Very nice, Roy. Receiver was a pleasant surprise, "before" pics weren't too promising. Came out very nice indeed. What did the Cody folks say about original bbl length? Saddle ring is something of a head-scratcher, odd place to mount it.

[rbertalotto]

It shipped as a rifle with a 24" round barrel in 38-40

[TXGunNut]

Interesting, friend has a 38-40 with a round bbl. Don't see many of them. It was shipped as a 38-40, may soon be a 44-40. I could sit and watch an 1873 action work for hours.

[Frank46]

Roy, just saw the 1873 on your website. From sow's ear to silk purse. Beautiful job. I had the chance once to shoot an origional 1873 in 44-40. At least you could see light at the other end of the barrel and that was being nice. All the bullets keyholed those that hit the target that is. Frank

[rbertalotto]

Updated the article with a dust cover fix:


http://rvbprecision.com/shooting/winchester-1873-saddle-ring-rifle-rebuild.html


http://images60.fotki.com/v778/photos/2/36012/13547848/IMG_0455-vi.jpg

[TXGunNut]

Looking good! Have you shot it or are you waiting to resolve the headspace issue?

[yooper]

Man, I wish I had your equipment and your skill operating it! Congratulations on putting an old rifle back in operation.
yooper

[rbertalotto]

Haven't shot it yet. We have 2 feet of snow out at the range and zero degrees! I'm tempted to shoot it in the garage!

I received the bolt and cartridge carrier I bought on Ebay, but the bolt is the same size as The one in the rifle! So it will not fix my issue. Need to think about it a bit or just leave it as I have it. It feeds perfectly and ejects just fine and with the barrel set back, there is no headspace issue. Might be time to leave it alone and move on to another project.

[hpdrifter]

The '73 is a beautiful rifle. Glad to see another one resurrected.
Just wished I could afford one.

[TXGunNut]

Haven't shot it yet. We have 2 feet of snow out at the range and zero degrees! I'm tempted to shoot it in the garage!-rbertalotto

I have a tree stump out past the carport that can stop a boolit in an emergency, I don't think I'd last very long with your weather.
Sorry, I misunderstood the bolt issue. I get confused on leverguns sometimes, too many things moving at once. Watching an 1873 action could keep me fascinated for hours.

[cajun shooter]

I would have to put something outside that would stop a bullet and shoot the rifle from inside the house. Out a window or door way. Wonderful work on bringing a great old rifle back to life. Later Fairshake

[John Allen]

The gun came out great. I have a couple of cheaper projects that I have saved myself to try before I screw up one of my good guns.

[M-Tecs]

Very impressive work. Thanks for posting.