1873 vs 1892

Mississippi Sam · September 08, 2009, 08:20:37 PM

evening all!

I'm really getting the itch to jump into cowboy action shooting. I've got my pistols and shotgun squared away, but I can't decide on what rifle to get. I really like the look and the good reviews of the 1873, but I also really like the price of the 1892. What would be the collective opinion of you fine people?

Beg pardon if this has been discussed before. I tried a search, but couldn't quite find my answer.

Also, I'm willing to expand my options for a rifle that is in the $500-$700 price range if there is something better than what I'm considering.

Thanks in advance y'all!

Pettifogger · September 08, 2009, 08:32:00 PM

The 92 is a good, strong, reliable rifle and a lot of beginners start with one. However, the 92 can never be made as smooth or operated as fast as a 73. The 73 action isn't nearly as strong as a 92 and this might be a consideration for a hunting rifle. However, for CAS shooting the loads are all standard velocity or loaded light so the 73 will last virtually forever (as will the 92).

Marshal Deadwood · September 09, 2009, 03:30:50 AM

If you are gonna shoot SASS ,,here is a good 'American made idea....

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/Cowboy/1894_45Colt.asp

,,,be aware, this rifle is not NCOWS legal. But it IS SASS legal. And,,Marlins are top quality and STRONG. Any Marlin choice you make can always double as a fine hunting rifle.

If you go with a replica ,,, I'd chose the '73 , or perhaps a '66 or even a Henry. The '1892s Ive watched people use at matches , are NOT the best CAS rifles..ain't see one yet that runs efficent under speed.

MD

Blackpowder Burn · September 09, 2009, 07:20:07 AM

Sam,

If you are looking in the $500 to $700 price range, the Marlin would be an excellent choice. Most folks eventually end up with a '73 or '66 because they are the slickest action available, but they are more expensive. I have an original '92, as well as a Marlin and a '73. I like them all, but preferentially use the '73, followed by the Marlin, with the '92 only occasionally. The '73 is the slickest, with the Marlin a close second. As Marshall Deadwood says, the Marlin is also the strongest of all the actions.

You might also check out the various auction sites (gunbroker.com and gunsamerica.com). You can frequently find a gun you like for a reasonable price.

DarbyFett · September 10, 2009, 12:31:02 AM

I just picked up a "Used" 73 at a local shop for 750. And by used I mean you can see a little BP residue on the elevator, but thats it.

J.D. Yellowhammer · September 10, 2009, 06:14:21 AM

Quote from: Marshal Deadwood on September 09, 2009, 03:30:50 AM
http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/Cowboy/1894_45Colt.asp

,,,be aware, this rifle is not NCOWS legal. But it IS SASS legal.

MD, the Marlin actually is NCOWS legal:
"Marlin '94 and '95s [are legal] if they retain the same appearance as the originals prior to 1899, and as long as they are chambered in approved calibers/cartridges and safe in operation."

Camille Eonich · September 11, 2009, 09:58:56 AM

Marlin is an excellent gun but I do prefer a '73.

Big T · September 11, 2009, 04:43:20 PM

I got 2 Puma 92's 1 ,20 in an 1 24 in hex bbl I love the 24 in for hunting but Like the man above said neither of them can stay up with the short stroke 73 in competition , if you shoot like I do Just for fun its not a big deal an I stay with them I also have a 357 marlin 1894 it is choice for fast shootin imo , whne i am serious about compeating I use it with 2 Uberti jr 38's an it knocks of several seconds off my time , but I love the big boom an such of the 45 lc so its what ever you want most , I would love to have a 73 but I dont have one yet , T

Professor Honeyfuggler · September 11, 2009, 06:48:48 PM

Rossi '92 is around $550. Like the the other pards said they aren't as fast as a '73 with a short stroke, they're plain as Aunt Jessy, and and they needed some slicking up to get the action smooth, but a lot of folks think it's a tough, reliable model. A LOT of folks here in Central Texas have them, and tend to keep them even if they step up to something more posh later on.

Three Fingered Fred · October 04, 2009, 01:25:16 PM

I have a stainless '92 45LC short rifle worked on by Steve Young. I doubt any '73 could be smoother.

Virginia Gentleman · October 11, 2009, 11:41:44 AM

I couldn't be happier with our Taylor's & Co. 1892 replica rifle with an octagonal barrel, they put a lot of quality in this gun for sure!

Tom Bullweed · October 13, 2009, 09:36:11 PM

I like the '92 because it fits my alias and The Duke always carried one.
My preference for my guns:
Original 1892 in .32 WCF (These guns work best with bottleneck rounds)
Original 1873 in .32 WCF (saved for perfect weather only)
Marlin 1894 in .44 Mag (Wild Bunch gun)
Rossi 1892 in .357 (bad weather gun, fair amount of smithing done)
The 1892 is a good gun to shoot but it has two issues:
- it is very difficult to disassemble/assemble for annual cleaning and smithing
- if it stovepipes a round, it is very difficult to remove the round, especially in a match
My recommendation for a new shooter is always a Marlin. They are reliable, strong and easy to service.
You can use it as a backup if you graduate to a '73 later on.

Pancho Peacemaker · October 14, 2009, 02:37:39 PM

Lots of folks start out with Marlins and various 92's. Eventually, most folks end up with a '73.

'73 (and '66) actions are much easier to clean and are easier to repair. 92 is "stronger", but that doesn't really matter when you are shooting low pressure cowboy loads. If you shoot heavy hunting rounds, you will wear out the toggle action in the '73. 92 has lots of small parts and is more work to keep clean.

Bite the bullet and buy a decent 73. You'll find lots of nice used ones in your price range.

Pancho

delmar · December 17, 2009, 08:35:38 PM

Quote from: J.D. Yellowhammer on September 10, 2009, 06:14:21 AM
MD, the Marlin actually is NCOWS legal:
"Marlin '94 and '95s [are legal] if they retain the same appearance as the originals prior to 1899, and as long as they are chambered in approved calibers/cartridges and safe in operation."

So how about the ones that don't retain the original appearance. Are they SASS legal?

Recon · December 17, 2009, 08:47:23 PM

Quote from: Mississippi Sam on September 08, 2009, 08:20:37 PM
evening all!

I'm really getting the itch to jump into cowboy action shooting. I've got my pistols and shotgun squared away, but I can't decide on what rifle to get. I really like the look and the good reviews of the 1873, but I also really like the price of the 1892. What would be the collective opinion of you fine people?

Beg pardon if this has been discussed before. I tried a search, but couldn't quite find my answer.

Also, I'm willing to expand my options for a rifle that is in the $500-$700 price range if there is something better than what I'm considering.

Thanks in advance y'all!

In my opinion, the "wild west" was dead by 1892. Most Indians and bison were no longer players and brick buildings were in most every town. Now, 1873, that is a different matter. I'd go with the 73.

Skeeter Lewis · December 18, 2009, 03:30:58 AM

Recon, I agree. The 1890s are pretty much off-period in terms of history.

shieldsmt · December 18, 2009, 10:46:54 AM

The '73 was in Sioux and Cheyenne hands along the Little Bighorn in June of 1876. It was on cattle drives, westward exploration, gold camps, eastern deer camps, fights over fresh new territory etc.
The '92 was in The Dukes hands portraying an earlier period by a decade or two, a bunch of B western fantasies, and whacking jackrabbits on homesteads of the fenced and divided west and midwest.
How about a WWII movie with M-16's?

Recon · December 18, 2009, 10:51:00 AM

Quote from: shieldsmt on December 18, 2009, 10:46:54 AM
How about a WWII movie with M-16's?

I love a good example.

delmar · December 18, 2009, 06:29:35 PM

So are you guys lobbying to ban 92's and 94's from CAS?

Recon · December 18, 2009, 07:58:45 PM

Quote from: delmar on December 18, 2009, 06:29:35 PM
So are you guys lobbying to ban 92's and 94's from CAS?

Not me. I don't have a dog in the fight. Don't shoot CAS/SASS. But I've always been a stickler for accuracy. Folks can do what ever they want, but I prefer they be educated about what they are doing. America is full of ignorant myths about itself already; myths which many take WAY too seriously. Don't need any more. I wouldn't want CAS/SASS people thinking they really were who their fictional persona's pretend to be either. Though I've met a few . . . well, never mind. I think they may have invented the B Western category specifically to deal with this, but I don't know. $:-\$ Folks can still have fun while being aware of the truth.