.44 Special 1873 Cimarron Sporting Rifle

[Norseman1]

After a long wait it arrived today. I promptly warmed up the barrel with some 429421's over both 6.0 and 7.5 grains of Unique. What a great rifle, I am smitten. And I thought the carbine had me...

Trigger measures at just under 3 lbs on my RCBS scale. The carbine is at 4 1/2. Both as delivered.

[Der Gebirgsjager]

Ahhh...so many nice guns, so little time! Very nice looking pair, Norseman1.

[TXGunNut]

Very nice pair! I had a coffee table like that one, surplussed when I moved in with a G/F. Sure miss that table....the G/F, not so much. ;-)

[35 Whelen]

Congrats on the two beautiful rifles! Keep us posted with range reports, etc.

35W

[flint45]

Very nice levers and .44 spl. one of the best cartridges ever good luck have fun now Iwant one.

[McLintock]

I had one like that, the rifle, and really liked it, shot it in Cowboy Action matches for several years with both smokeless and black powder loads; you've got a really good rifle, enjoy it. The carbine ain't bad either.
McLintock

[Rifle 57]

Very nice pair of shootin sticks!!

[Norseman1]

Thanks for all of the compliments. My family had an unexpected expense come up and it looked like it may have had to go but I think I am going to be able to keep it. I've waited too long for one in 44 Special to have it slip through my fingers so quickly.

[Blackwater]

That is one FINE pair of firearms, Norseman! You have excellent taste.

[ironhead7544]

Looks great. Hope you are going to write up your range results. I passed up a 24 inch like that in 44 Special many years ago and regret it.

I like the 24 inch octagon barrels best for a pistol length cartridge rifle. The weight just feels right. But, that 1873 in 44 Magnum carbine is about the perfect all around 1873. Old timey action but 44 Magnum power. Hard to beat combo for lever guys.

[Norseman1]

I listed the rifle on GA. Unexpected expense forced my hand.

[EDK]

I listed the rifle on GA. Unexpected expense forced my hand.

Been there; done that; got screwed on the deal. Selling guns is a financial disaster most of the time.
My bank gave me a LINE OF CREDIT...didn't even know what it was...that you have a pre-approved amount you can get. Mine was $5K and later upgraded to $8K BY THEM. Payments vary with balance. It saved my @#$ during the divorce when the lawyer wanted more money. Handy when you're temporarily short BUT know you'll have the money in near future.
You might want to take a look and see what your bank says.

[35 Whelen]

EDK you bring up a very good point. Over the last few years when relatively big expense occurs, (medical bills, tires, new dishwasher...) I've always been able to find some sort of 18 month, no interest credit card. These things are nice and in every case I've paid them off well before the no interest period ended. $1000 sounds rough, but when its spread out over 12 to 14 months, it's not nearly as bad.

35W

[TXGunNut]

Medical expenses have similar option, they often sell the balance to a finance company. I covered a hospital bill that way recently, would have been silly to pass up a 0% interest loan.

[Irascible]

I've had a similar rifle for use in Cowboy action for 10 years. Great rifle. I was VERY happy to find one in 44 Spcl. I installed a short stroke kit and shortened the barrel to 20". It is a dandy of a cowboy gun. I use a 210gr RFN over a charge of American Pioneer FF or a load of Trail Boss depending on what class I shoot. The only thing you really have to pay attention to is the cartridge OAL. For smooth loading it should be as close as possible to the length of the cartridge lifter/elevator. No longer though.