Strength of Winchester/Miroku 1873

[AlanF]

Considering a Winchester/Miroku 1873 in 45 Colt and wondered if the action is strong enough for stout loads ie 300gr cast at 1400-1500 fps. This is what I shoot in a Browning 1885 and would like to shoot something similar. I understand it is not as strong an action as the 92 but it sure is a fine looking rifle. Thank you.

[ReloaderFred]

The toggle link action is the weak point in this design, and I wouldn't push it. Even though it's made from modern steels, it's still not a strong action. I've seen toggle links bent from shooting .357 Magnums in the Uberti 73's.

I'd choose another action for shooting top end loads.

Hope this helps.

Fred

[Randy Bohannon]

Get the Win/Miroku 92 in 45 Colt and never worry if it is strong enough.

[2ndAmendmentNut]

Considering a Winchester/Miroku 1873 in 45 Colt and wondered if the action is strong enough for stout loads ie 300gr cast at 1400-1500 fps. This is what I shoot in a Browning 1885 and would like to shoot something similar. I understand it is not as strong an action as the 92 but it sure is a fine looking rifle. Thank you.

Not a chance. Heavy 45colt loads will wear out a toggle link action in no time at all. I love the toggle link actions, but if you want to shoot heavy 45s you need to consider a Winchester 92 or Marlin 94.


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[AlanF]

Thanks guys. It is as I suspected. It is a beautiful rifle.

[missionary5155]

Good morning
If you do buy one be aware the 45 Colt Rifle with a 255 grain FN soft cast with a case full of 3F (yep BP) will drop any critter we normally hunt in woods or river bottoms within 100 yards. A big black bear I would want within 35 yards. But corn crunchers are no match. A 255 grainer chugging along about 1200 fps is one nasty slug to get in the way off.
Mike in Peru

[KCSO]

No load that runs more than 20,000 PSI, in other words no Ruger loads keep the 255's at 1300 or so. It isn't the total strength but the limits of the design and the rapid wear that hotter loads cause. In 1974 or so I shot a 66 totally loose with loads in 38 special that my Model 10 ate a steady diet of... 10.5 of 2400 and a 158 bullet. I also shoot a 73 or two and never load over book standard for a Colt SSA revolver. My Max load would be on the order of say 8.0 of Unique.

[T-Bird]

when I was considering buying one in .357 (which I did), I called Winchester and told them that I was not a cass enthusiast but I shot a lot. I told "Matt" that I would be feeding it a steady diet of 158gr factory loads ( which was not true exactly) and wanted to know if the action was strong enough to take it. He told me twice "you'll be fine". So I took that to mean that these guns are made to handle mainstream factory loads w/o a prob. Which makes sense. As far as the gun goes... I love mine, it's one of the nicest rifles I own. Can't imagine a 45 colt would be any different.

[ironhead7544]

Uberti makes an 1873 in 44 Magnum. Just get one of those. You dont have to use heavy loads all the time.

If I didnt have a 44 Magnum Marlin 1894 Cowboy already, I would run out and get the Uberti 1873 44 Magnum.

[Texas by God]

A 73 in .44 mag?
No thanks. I like my face and hands.
For real?

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[Jackpine]

Using better steels, while making those parts stronger, does not change the design of the action. There is a simple way to test that theory, but I would not want to be the one with the rifle at my face for the thousands of rounds of full house 357 loads.

Just my two cents. That being said, both the Uberti and Winchester 73, with CCH sure are pretty and especially when slicked up, run like thieves.

Jackpine