My next rifle?

[Big Hext Finnigan]

Howdy pards,

I've got an 1866, antiqued, in 45 and a couple of Marlins in 357, one carbine and one cowboy.

I plan to stay in 45LC or 38/357, what rifle would you suggest?

Gracias,

[Doc Shapiro]

Ya ain't got a '73 yet!  Course, you could get an original...

Doc

[Cuts Crooked]

I'd agree with Doc on this one Pard!

A 73 jist kinda says it all!

[Big Hext Finnigan]

A 73 has been on my list for a while, but like y'all just mentioned, replica or original?

With the rising costs of the clones, the originals are looking more and more attractive, especially in a BP cartridge, like 44-40 or 38-40.. still a bit of a premium..

I was just wondering if anyone was waving the Lightning banner, enough to recommend them.  I've emailed a bit with Manatee and wanted y'all's opinions.

Adios,

[Doc Shapiro]

Personally, I'm going to hold off on one of them pump guns until USFA brings their's out, and all the bugs in both guns have been ironed out.  I'm not big on the idea of being a tester.

As for the 73's, it depends on what you are going to do to it when you get it.  If you are gonna slick it up, then get an Italian.  If you are gonna leave it alone, get an original.  Also depends on how much you are gonna shoot it.  Heavy use?  Italian.  Light periodic use? Original.

At least, that's how I look at it.

Doc

[Cheyenne]

Yeah, nothing like an original, but, even with the rising costs of Italian guns, you're comparing an original in questionable condition as to a new gun.

If you compare an Original in condition to what a new or nearly new Italian, the cost difference is dramatic.....by several thousand dollars.

I've seen originals for 1500 and less, but I'd not shoot them with anything other than BP, and then only sparingly......they are worn out.

Though we gripe about the costs, I feel the replica still has it's place and is the one that should be on the line, while the originals should be used sparingly, and just kept around for the historical aspec t they bring with them.  I really cringe when I see someone using a first gen Colt, and I've seen a "Traditional" Shooter using one that dated from 1880 once!  This 'game' we paly is very hard on the guns and the originals aren't going to stand up to it....maybe they would when they were new, and if you look long enough you'll find a "near-new" 73....would you like to pay aroung 10K for it, oh yeah, it won't be competitive so you'll also need to have it short stroked and a light lifter fitted, etc......I'm kidding on this last part, but to play the game, I think you should use 'toys' which are replaceable, not originals.

And Hext, if you did pony up for a near new 73 and had it modified, I'd just have to shoot you........boy done went plumb loco.

You want to play with something new, I'll loan you my 73 Uberti carbine....it's a really good shooter as long as Mr. Knuckle-head (me) don't foul the bore out!

[Cheyenne]

PS- I think I'd wait and see what shakes out in the pump gun arena.....USFA will be a nice gun, and if Taurus does bring in one at the price they say, it won't compare quality wise to the USFA, but will be cheap enough to see if thias type gun has potential for you.....I think I'll stick with the lever gun.

[Cheyenne]

Hey Hext, here buy this one!

http://www.collectorsfirearms.com/1of1000.htm

[Big Hext Finnigan]

If only they had a pair... I'd be all over it!

[Col. Riddles]

BHF, I think Cheyenne has said it all. Nothing I could add. Btw, that 1 of 1,000 is probably worth $150,000.00 judging only by the photos. No telling what it would bring at an auction such as Sothebys, Cristies or Butterfield & Butterfields. Seems to me that Cristies auctioned one a few years ago for considerably more than the Blue Book listed maximum value of $200,000.00. In all actuality a gun like that is worth whatever someone is willing to pay.

Having said all that, I have a '73, '66, a Henry (all Uberti in 45 Colt, 24" bbls). You haven't "arrived" till you own the trilogy. I also have a Rossi 92 with action job by Nate Kiowa Jones. I've owned a Winchester 94 in the past. I've never owned a Marlin & have no desire to. I'm happy with the trilogy and bought them all pre-Euro $. So if I wanted to, I could sell them at a handsome profit and still be below the current cost of a new one.

[Cheyenne]

If only they had a pair... I'd be all over it!

Then you could give one to me!

If you want to play with a carbine, let me know as Little league is gonna take away my shooting Saturdays for a couple of months....you can even shoot smokeless if you want to!

[Big Hext Finnigan]

Thanks, I might like to do that..
We could meet sometime, somewhere in the middle.

Adios,

[Will Ketchum]

I sold an original 73 last weekend for probably too little money but the bore was shot and I wasn't going to shoot it so down the road it went .

Will Ketchum

[john boy]

Personally, I'm going to hold off on one of them pump guns until USFA brings their's out, and all the bugs in both guns have been ironed out.  I'm not big on the idea of being a tester.

Doc, I'm with you on this one.  Cornhusker shotguns have been the love of my shooting life and been real friendly to me over the years.  Gonna get one of those Lightnings in 45 come heck or high water.

[Lefty Isacs]

Howdy Folks
Here's my next rifle - been shootin' it for a couple of months and I'm getting the feel of it now.

[Tensleep]

I think that I want an Navy Arms 92 for my next rifle, naw... maybe a Spencer.
That's it I want a Spencer. 

Now I just need to pay off the pair of Hartford Armory 1875 Remingtons and start saving again!

[MDC]

IMHO....A 73 and Colts in 38wcf ...course I shoot a 92 and Rugers in the same caliber....mighty fine Guns Too.

See Ya....