Uberti 1873 Lever Action safety question

Harley Starr · January 10, 2010, 12:35:17 PM

Once when I asked to see a Uberti 1873 rifle, I noticed that I needed to hold the lever against the stock to engage the trigger. Once again I found myself dumbstruck, not to mention alittle turned off, by the safety features required for imported firearms. But since I have been eyeballing the Cimarron variety, I can't help but notice their attention to detail with the rifles.

Does the Cimarron 1873 also have this "safety quirk"?

P.S., Does this "safety quirk" exist on the Chiappa 1892 or the Rossi 1892?

Please excuse my use of the term "safety quirk".

shieldsmt · January 10, 2010, 12:57:17 PM

This "safety quirk" started in 1873 when Winchester first started building these great rifles!

Delmonico · January 10, 2010, 01:03:16 PM

All the 1873 and later Winchester Levers have this fature, it makes sure the bolt is closed and locked so that when you fire the rifle, the bolt don't open and eject the empty and also the bolt. If you think about it, that bolt is lined up with one of your own personal eyes. Marlin uses a 2 piece firing pin to do the same thing.

Pettifogger · January 10, 2010, 05:09:05 PM

Quote from: Delmonico on January 10, 2010, 01:03:16 PM
All the 1873 and later Winchester Levers have this fature, it makes sure the bolt is closed and locked so that when you fire the rifle, the bolt don't open and eject the empty and also the bolt. If you think about it, that bolt is lined up with one of your own personal eyes. Marlin uses a 2 piece firing pin to do the same thing.

As noted, not a "safety quirk" but part of the design. In addition to the two piece firing pin the Marlin also has the lever safety. On the 73 virtually everyone that shoots these guns in competition puts in a reduced power safety spring as the stock safety feels like it came out of a truck. Once lightened, you won't know its there but it still serves its function in help preventing an out of battery discharge.

Jefro · January 10, 2010, 09:50:29 PM

Howdy Ridgway, the lever safety is in all the 73s, prevents the gun from being fired out of battery. However when shooting the gun you never know it's there. The Cimarron 73 is an Uberti, as is Taylors and some others, they are the importers of Uberti. Use the "search'' feature a little and you will find Taylors highly recomended for customer service, and to stay away from the Chaparral 73. Good Luck.

Jefro

Harley Starr · January 10, 2010, 10:32:17 PM

Had no idea it went that far back. Oh well, I'll consider this the lesson for the day. It just occured to use the term
"safety feature", instead of that other terminology.
Couldn't think of the proper word at that moment.
Don't you just hate it when that happens?

Ricochet · January 23, 2010, 09:57:34 AM

You should find an adjustment screw that will lighten the safety

Harley Starr · January 24, 2010, 12:23:51 AM

Quote from: Ricochet on January 23, 2010, 09:57:34 AM
You should find an adjustment screw that will lighten the safety

Where can I purchase one of those?

Deadeye Dick · January 24, 2010, 10:15:17 AM

The 73 Winchester does not have an adjustment screw to lighten the safety. You can purchase a lighter safety spring from "The Smith Shop" that will lighten the safety. http://www.thesmithshop.com/leversafety.html

Deadeye Dick

Harley Starr · January 24, 2010, 11:25:05 AM

Quote from: Deadeye Dick on January 24, 2010, 10:15:17 AM
The 73 Winchester does not have an adjustment screw to lighten the safety. You can purchase a lighter safety spring from "The Smith Shop" that will lighten the safety. http://www.thesmithshop.com/leversafety.html

Deadeye Dick

Thanks Deadeye!

Irish Dave · March 04, 2010, 10:32:22 AM

Actually, it's not hard to make a lighter safety spring yourself with piano wire and a couple good pairs of needle- or round-nose pliers.
I have a couple that have homemade springs in them and they work just fine.

Just another thought.

jplower · April 01, 2010, 07:11:00 PM

Be very careful when fiddling with the safety on a 73 or 66. Some years ago, a shooter lost an eye because he removed the safety spring. As he was levering up a round into the chamber, it was half way in when he somehow touched the trigger, causing the hammer to fall with enough force to strike the firing pin and explode the primer. The unlocked action was blown back instantly, shearing the firing pin retainer and driving the pin through his right eye. The need for speed here ended his shooting for some time, if not for all time. Beware the light springs, they can fail on you. Just remember that if they were such a great, safe idea in all cases, the maufactures would use them to save costs. Same with piano wire springs.