Uberti 73 Saddle ring carbine opinions

[BobinIL]

I have just traded for a Uberti Saddle ring carbine 19" round barrel 357.  I have owned the 73 sporting rifles 24" barrel and short rifles 20" barrels.  How does the lighter SRC compair?  I am going to shoot BP subs out of it with 158grn bullets and 38 brass.

[Abilene]

Howdy Bobin.
I have three '73 carbines;  the oldest is a .357 that I won at a big match ten years ago.  I love all of them.  Obviously, the carbine action functions exactly the same as the rifles.  The carbines are lighter, especially the .44 and .45 models.  The .357 has enough steel in the barrel to still have some weight out front, but it may tend to wave around on you a bit if you are used to the heavier octagonal barrels.  Since you are going to shoot .38's there will be some room to spare in the magazine, you might consider removing the magazine plug and inserting some heavy bullet(s), lead only of course, in the end of the tube, then replacing the plug.  A couple of 250 grain .45 slugs for instance will add a bit of weight to the forward end.

Other than balance, the main difference will be the sights.  The rear is not elevation-adjustable, and all of my carbines tend to shoot high.  Also, the front sight is on the barrel band, so adding a bead isn't so easy.  I just JB-welded a 1/8" bead (cut from brass welding rod) to the top rear of my carbine sights.  It is very easy to see, but the gun still shoots high.  I just aim at the bottom of the targets.  There are some replacement barrel-band sights available that have a bead which is higher on the blade.  And some folks cut off the blade and cut a dovetail into the top of the barrel band, or dovetail the barrel, for a marbles or other front sight with a bead.  There is enough meat in the .357 barrel to do this.

Then of course there is the different buttstock.  Seems like most folks actually prefer the carbine buttplate to the rifle's crescent buttplate, so you're probably okay there.

Enjoy the new carbine.

[Hell-Er High Water]

I have been shooting one in 44 Special for several years now and love it.  It is accurate and handles well.  With the shorter barrel, when you have stages that require shooting through a door or window, I think that it moves in and out of any obstructions faster.  I shoot nothing but BP in mine and don't have any major fouling problems.  In hot, dry conditions a couple of squirts with Moose Milk every couple of stages keeps it free and running.  I think that you'll like it.

HHW

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[Hell-Er High Water]

BobinIL,

Regarding sights, I replaced both the rear and front sights.  The rear sight is a Lyman tang sight.  The front sight is a Pioneer Gun Works Carbine Barrel Band With Speed Sight.  Very fast target aquisition and you just put the bead where you want the bullet to hit.  Tang sights for my old eyes really help.  You might give them a try.

HHW