Locating .38 - 40

[jednorris]

Some shooters at my club use .38 - 40,s in our "Buffalo" matchs shooting steel at 200 yds., If I was going to try to find a lever gun with decent barrel, how would I go about it?

[fouronesix]

Good question!
I don't know about the possibility of ensuring a good shootable Win 92 or Win 73 original in 38-40 or 44-40 for that matter for less than about 2000. Those in good working condition and with excellent bores are expensive no matter the source.

A better possibility would be to look for a new Uberti rifle M1873 in 44-40. While not cheap at +/- 900, the chances of predicted outcome are better than taking a chance on a original Winchester M1873 or M1892 in 38-40 or 44-40, unless you can inspect the rifle in person.

Currently I don't know the availability of a recent model Winchester (Miroku) M1892 in good used condition for less than about 1000-1200. But if you can find one that would also be good choice.

Yet another option would be a newer Marlin M1894. You'll have to check what the rules are for allowed calibers in some competitions.

A Google search will turn up quite a few options. Gunbroker from a reputable seller would lessen the chances of getting burned. Remember, a "good" bore rating on an old original is something different from what most would consider an acceptable bore in a new or modern gun. Many times a "good" bore rating on an old original could mean the lands are mostly visible or the lands are visible all the way through the bore or some such :shock:

[Harry O]

I would recommend that you stick with a 38-40 and forget the 44-40, at least for new production guns. I bought four newly produced 44-40's in the early 1990's for CAS. ALL of them had screwed up dimensions and I could not get them to shoot. Another problem is that they were all differently screwed up, so it was impossible to get one bullet/load to shoot in all of them. The problem was that 44-40 dimensions and .44 Magnum dimensions were used randomly. I never could get them to shoot so I gave up on them.

I then bought four guns in 38-40 and all of them shot extremely well. There is no "close, but not quite on" caliber for revolvers and lever actions to mix parts with it (I know the .40S&W is an identical caliber, but it is chambered in VERY few revolvers and no lever actions). I have been using them for CAS ever since.

Finding a 38-40 is not going to be easy at local gunshows or gunshops. They are more rare than 44-40, and 44-40's aren't exactly common. I got mine from Gunbroker/GunAuction.

[rbertalotto]

You have three options for a 38-40.............Uberti makes the 1866 and the 1873 in 38-40. There are some around if you call the distributors. They don't list them but they have them in the "back room"...Dixie and Buffalo Arms had some a few weeks ago. If you post a Wanted To Buy ad on the Cowboy Action forums, you might get lucky. I bought my 1866 in 38-40 that way.

#2...Buy a Uberti 1866 or 1873 in 45LC and then buy a replacement barrel from VTI in Connecticut. I converted my 1873 from 45LC to 38-40 and it worked out great! Lots of used 1873 rifles in 45LC around

#3...But a real nice vintage 1873 or 1892 in 38-40. One of these with a bore good enough to hit 200 yards might cost over $3000........or, buy one with a sewer pipe bore and have it lined. I did this to an 1873 and an 1892. You can read all about it here... www.rvbprecision.com (http://www.rvbprecision.com)

The 38-40 is a fantastic cartridge and extremely accurate! I've hit the 8" steel gong at our range many , many times in a row, standing off hand, with simple buckhorn rear sight.

[Bear Tooth Billy]

Rock island auction has a large auction next weekend, you can look up their website and if you see what your interested in,
call them and they will get it out and answer questions about it. I've had 2 old Winchesters relined with Redmon liners and
they shoot great, at a price less than an Italian clone. Oh, the 73 broke a $7 spring last year after only 133 years