Need help with rifle selection

davepick · January 27, 2008, 02:19:43 PM

I am new to Cowboy Action Shooting and need some advice on which rifle to buy. It must be .45 and I want something that is going to shoot well and be reliable out of the box, it costs a lot to get going in this sport and I don't want to have to spend money on gunsmith work just yet. I have looked at the Martlin 1894 and it looks like a good solid gun but then I looked at an 1873 Uberti which seems to be a much nicer gun but will it be reliable out of the box? I also like the look of the solid brass reciever on a Henry Big Boy but I'm concerned about reliability and the way it has to be loaded. Any suggestions or advice would be gratefully received.

RRio · January 27, 2008, 04:00:02 PM

Quote from: davepick on January 27, 2008, 02:19:43 PM
I am new to Cowboy Action Shooting and need some advice on which rifle to buy. It must be .45 and I want something that is going to shoot well and be reliable out of the box, it costs a lot to get going in this sport and I don't want to have to spend money on gunsmith work just yet. I have looked at the Martlin 1894 and it looks like a good solid gun but then I looked at an 1873 Uberti which seems to be a much nicer gun but will it be reliable out of the box? I also like the look of the solid brass reciever on a Henry Big Boy but I'm concerned about reliability and the way it has to be loaded. Any suggestions or advice would be gratefully received.

I am a big fan of the Rossi/Puma/ EMF Hartford '92s. I have 1 of each and have found them to be totally reliable. My favorite is the EMF Hartford '92 Saddle Ring Carbine in .45 Colt. I have been shooting it as my main match rifle for 3 years now, without one bobble. I only paid $325 for it, also.

Compass Will · January 27, 2008, 08:10:31 PM

I have the Legacy Sports Puma 1892. I have the 24" with the brass receiver in 45 colt. While I am not shooting cowboy action yet, I have shot around 100 rounds through it every other week since I got it in July.

At first it would jam at times when loading the bullet into the chamber, just stick your finger in and push the back of bullet down and it would clear. Smith told me "shoot it some, then we will look at it". I have read others reporting the same thing with the 45 Colt. Smith was right, It hasn't jammed in the last couple months so I never took it back. also I might not be cycling it fast enough because I put my hand over the action to catch the brass as it comes out. (I hate loosing brass.)

I got mine for Cowboy Lever Action Silhouette . I got a load worked up with 250 grain boolets with Clays where I can shoot 4" groups (on a good day) at 100 yards, standing with factory sights. I plan on adding a tang sight after tax time.

Cons: The factory sights are real basic. Front sight uses a strange dovetail. I tried to put a Marbles front sight in and its was real loose. Marbles said it is a different angle and they don't make replacements for it. I have not tried to change the rear sight yet, but Smith says he has something for it.

Ten Wolves Fiveshooter · January 27, 2008, 09:21:27 PM

Howdy Will

I think your shooting dang good if you're getting 4" groups at 100 yards , and thats with open sites in 45 long colt , I'd be interested in seeing if you will be able to do better, with different site . Keep us posted pard.

Have a great day

Ten Wolves

Deadeye Don · January 28, 2008, 06:48:05 AM

You are likely to get alot of varied responses here, but the highly respected rifles are the 1873 as made by Uberti and then the 1866 also by Uberti. The loading gate on the 66 should be changed out, but that is a minor expense. Otherwise both were great out of the box in 45 colt. I also have an 1892 by Armi Sport in 44-40 which I like equally well also great out of the box.

davepick · January 28, 2008, 07:33:08 AM

Thanls for the information, i will definately check out the EMF Hartford '92 and have a second look at the Uberti - any other suggestions?

Ransom Gaer · January 28, 2008, 08:13:15 AM

I've seen both the 1894 Marlin and the 1873 Winchester used at matches. From what I have seen the 1894's seem to have more problems feeding than the 1873. The 1873's also seem to be smoother out of the box.

I have also seen two Big Boys in use at matches. Both had some difficulties. Mostly it looked like the shooter was getting ahead of the action and it jammed up. They also seemed rough.

I use either an 1866 or an 1860 Henry at matches. I prefer the 1860 Henry except on the hottest days when the barrel gets REALLY HOT. Did I mention I shoot BP through it.

Ransom Gaer

Camille Eonich · January 28, 2008, 08:33:45 AM

The '92 will not be reliable out of the box and very often aren't reliable after sending them to a gun smith. Esepcially if you are looking for any kind of speed and especially in .45 caliber. They were designed for bottle neck cartriges and do not feed straight cases well. You'll get several people posting back saying that they are fine guns and I say to them, "you got lucky".

Even the Rossi '92 expert tells people that only 1 out of every so many will ever function as they need to for this game.

A '73 or a '66 will function right out of the box but the action will be stiff. You can go ahead and spend an extra $250 and get your rifle from Cody Conagher with a full action job and a shorter stroke or you can skip the short stroke now and just get the action job. You will really have a lot more fun shooting the rifle if you get at least the action job. If you buy a '66 or a '73 you will not ever "need" to buy another rifle.

The Marlin would be my third choice and the Cowboy Marlins are already pretty slick out of the box. You also pay more for them.

Deadeye Don · January 28, 2008, 09:25:41 AM

My 1892 Armi Sport was just fine out of the box again chambered for 44-40. Of course short stroking lever guns is not allowed in NCOWS but is allowed in SASS. You didnt say what group you planned to shoot in, if any. But just be aware of the rules for each organization before you start modifying guns. Regards. Deadeye.

Sir Charles deMouton-Black · January 28, 2008, 10:28:35 AM

Compass Will; Here is the group to beat! Looks like you are doin' fine.

http://www.theopenrange.net/forum/index.php?topic=5036.0

Compass Will · January 28, 2008, 09:03:15 PM

I really like my 1892, but like I said, that is on a good day. I do most of my shooting at 6"x6" blocks at 100 yards as practice for this springs lever action silhouette events and very seldom miss. Once I get some time at the matches I will let you know my scores with the 1892.
I get 30 seconds to load 5 rounds and 2 minutes to shoot them so its nothing like the speeds which CAS runs. Still, I plan to chase my brass during these matches so I will see how it works out.

I was planing on doing some cast bullet matches with my Buffalo Classic in 45-70 but I can't see the red rings on the targets, and I hate the idea of putting a scope on any guns (accept maybe a malcome, but they cost more then the Buffalo Classic), so maybe I will get the rest of the guns I need to start CAS matches this year

All I need is one more wheel gun.

Wymore Wrangler · January 28, 2008, 10:55:32 PM

If you have the money, a Uberti 73 or 66 is the way I'd go, slicker out of the box, and man do they have style...

davepick · January 29, 2008, 10:49:42 AM

Quote from: Wymore Wrangler on January 28, 2008, 10:55:32 PM
If you have the money, a Uberti 73 or 66 is the way I'd go, slicker out of the box, and man do they have style...

I know what you mean, i think i am leaning that way they are nice looking guns.

Anyone have any experience with some of the brass framed rifles, yellow boy etc?

Mesquite · January 29, 2008, 01:04:23 PM

I was meanin to reply to this sooner but had a snag with registering.

As far as the Uberti rifles, from what I have read is that Cimarron is one of the better names for reliability. I have shot a couple, too poor to own one myself, which is why I use a Marlin, and they are nice solid rifles. Dunno what your price range is but if you have the money for the 73 or 66, get it now as it will save you money in the long run, if not the Marlin Cowboy is nice, you can do a little smoothing on your own with it. As far as the 92, I keep hearing its not the fastest gun but I haven't really seen one in use or had a chance to fire one, but the mentality of some SASS pards is, The Duke can do no wrong.