Pistol grip lever action rifles?

[RidinForTheBrand]

 any old west movie I've ever seen, the one book I do own on old west firearms (I'm still building my collection), I have always seen straight stocks on lever action rifles. But as I'm skimming the Cimarron Catalog I've came across a few models with pistol grip stocks.

my question is was their pistol griped stocks available way back then?

were they a custom option on a high grade rifle?

or is Cimarron just trying to appeal to hunters?

any feedback is appreciated;D

[hawkeye2]

    Back then Winchester would put together almost anything you wanted and could pay for.  Octagon, round or a combination of both as well as length for barrels, various magazine capacities, rifle, shotgun, or carbine butt plate, different sights, pistol grip or straight stock.  Most cowboys bought an "off the rack" gun and didn't see a need for or have the extra money for a pistol grip.  Most guns had straight stocks and if they were Civil War or Indian War vets they fought with a firearm with a straight stock.  It's said that a rifle with a straight stock is quicker to shoulder than a pistol grip.  I do appreciate pistol grips but 99 & 44/100% of the shooting I do is with a straight stock so I don't miss one.  They sure do dup a long barreled  half magazine 73 though.

[Shotgun Franklin]

I prefer the pistol grip. It may just be in my head but they seem more comfortable to me. As far as one being better or faster than another, I doubt it makes a difference. My '73 clone has one and I like it.

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

I prefer the pistol grip. It may just be in my head but they seem more comfortable to me. As far as one being better or faster than another, I doubt it makes a difference. My '73 clone has one and I like it.

   DITTO what Shotgun said, I have a Custom 1873, with pistol grip, and 24 1/4" barrel, and it shoulders no different for me than a none pistol grip, the pistol grip for me allows for little better hold on the rifle for me, but then it's all a matter of what you like, I have rifles that don't have the pistol grip and I do fine with them too, like Hawkeye pointed out, Winchester used to make custom rifles all through this period, I don't think it was a very common thing but you could get a rifle the way you wanted , including engraving.

[Abilene]

I doubt if they were commonplace, but pistol grip '73's did exist.  The owner of Cimarron owns an original pistol grip '73 that was shipped to a Texas Ranger.  It even has double-set triggers.  This rifle was on loan to the NRA museum last year but I think it is back at Cimarron now.

[Jamie]

I realize that Winchester 92's came at the tail end, and production lasted well into the 20th Century, but I used to work on a farm, and they had a 92 in 32-20 that had a pistol grip and double set triggers as well.  The finish was a little "carmelized" by a house fire, but I really wanted that gun as a kid.  The grandkids are shooters and hunters, so I'm happy it's in good hands.
Jamie

[WyrTwister]

I prefer the pistol grip. It may just be in my head but they seem more comfortable to me. As far as one being better or faster than another, I doubt it makes a difference. My '73 clone has one and I like it.

     I have a straight grip and a pistol grio Marlin .45-70 .  The pistol grip seems better at controling recoil .

     Not such an issue with the hand gun caliber .

God bless
wyr