.44 Russian in a .44 special

[Russ McCrae]

Since .44 Russian is the father of .44 S&W special is it possible for me to shoot them out of my 1873? Friend gave them too me and curious minds want to know

[Abilene]

You can shoot 44 Russian in a 44 Spcl revolver, but if you want to shoot it in a toggle-link rifle like the 1873, you will have to install one of the special carriers from Adirondack Jack (and I think he may be ceasing production of those, not sure).  And if you have his special carrier installed, you will not be able to shoot 44 Spcl in the rifle unless you switch back to the original carrier (not that hard).  If you try to shoot the Russians in a stock 44 spcl '73 it will jam because it is too short.

[Russ McCrae]

Pistol fodder for practice it is then, thank ya sir!

[Abilene]

If you shoot smokeless Russians in a Special cylinder, keep in mind that you might build up carbon or lead fouling in the chambers that will need to be cleaned in order to fit the Specials in the cylinder again, same as shooting 38 Spcl in a 357 mag cylinder.