QUESTION?

[willy]

Being a shooter and hunter that loves guns from the 1850-1900 period most of my shooting has been with  cap and ball pistols and SAA and remingtons 1875's.
The only rifles has been a few model 92's.
Never even touched a 73 yet.
What I want to know is - The catch behind the lever on the 73's ?
1. Is it a safety of some sort?
2.Is it just to keep the lever from dropping when carrying?
3. Do you have to manualy turn it before shooting?
The reason I ask is because I'm thinking of using a 73 for a hunting rifle and don't think I would want to fool around with having to turn a catch before shooting if a snap shot was required.
Thanks for any info.

Willy

[Forty Rod]

1. It secures the lever closed.

2. It must be turned a half turn (Quarter turn on Henry and '66) to lock or unlock the lever.

3. The ones on my guns have never been used.

There is a small 'stud' protruding between the lever and the bottom tang right behind the trigger on the '73 and '76 models.  The lever must be raised against the tang to depress the stud and prevent the guns from firing it the bolt is not fully forward. No 'out of battery' discharges.

[Pit Mule]

Willy,
It is a safety of sorts, and your right that it does keep the lever from opening. It is operated manually, some turn easy, some turn hard. It will rest into off position or on position with a short, wide slightly bowed spring. Never use it myself and most I see in CAS do not use it (some even remove it).

I've never had the lever open by itself. Sooooooooooo, best bet is to ignore it and don't use it. Just make sure of it's position so you don't miss that all important shot. I believe your going to like the 73. It's a fine rifle,good balance, easy to lever, quick to point and accurate. Many on the wire here recammend blackpowder for hunting and the 73 likes it.  Don't be afraid of it for hunting, it will serve you well.

Happy hunting

Pit Mule

[willy]

Thanks for the info guys.

Willy