Round Barrel or Octagon Barrel or 1/2 Round 1/2 Octagon ????

[Joe Lansing]

    I have and love my Uberti '73 .44-40 with a half octagon barrel, half magazine sporter with a checkered pistol grip stock. It came with pretty wood, and handles very nicely.
    It originally came with what was more of a 2/3 magazine, but I cut it back to a true 1/2 magazine. I wish they'd put out a '76 like that.

                                                                JL

[ChuteTheMall]

The octogon is better on short barrelled rifles because these were designed for serious social purposes and if you suddenly need a club at close range the heavier octo with sharp corners makes a better impression on soreheads.



WWQD?
What Would Quigley Do?

[southfork]

In about 1977 I traded a Ruger Super Blackhawk 44 magnum revolver for my 0riginal 1973 round Barrell 44wcf rifle.  I've never regretted that trade.  I love the round barrel!  My other two original '73s have octogonal barrels (38 wcf and 32 wcf), and they just don't look as cool as the round barrelled 44 wcf when they are layed side by side.

Most all of my old Winchesters were acquired in the 1970's through trades of more modern guns.  I've never looked back --- well except maybe I miss that 4 5/8" barrelled Ruger 45 long Colt revolver that I traded for a 1892 Winchester 25-20 rifle.