Winchester May Reintroduce The 1873

[Fox Creek Kid]

Heads up:  I spoke with Win. today and there will be offering the .45 Colt & 44-40 in 2014 and not this year. There is no concrete plan to offer 24" barrels at this time. Probably, they are waiting to see how sales go first. IMO, this is bass ackwards. I would have offered a 24" case colored rifle out of the chute in 44-40 and then other models depending on sales. 

[Blackpowder Burn]

That gives me more time to accumulate the funds for one in 44-40, as I've spent all of my gun money (and then some) on "opportunity of the moment" purchases for the time being. 

[Grizzly Adams]

IMO, this is bass ackwards. I would have offered a 24" case colored rifle out of the chute in 44-40 and then other models depending on sales.  

Uhuh, and lost your shirt in the bargain!  While you and I love the 44WCF, most of the market place, outside of a handful of CAS/NCOWS types, does not agree. IMO.  In any case, looking forward to whatever they do next.  Thanks for the heads up!

PS:  Did they happen to mention having anything in the pipeline for this year?

[Tornado]

Heads up:  I spoke with Win. today and there will be offering the .45 Colt & 44-40 in 2014 and not this year. There is no concrete plan to offer 24" barrels at this time. Probably, they are waiting to see how sales go first. IMO, this is bass ackwards. I would have offered a 24" case colored rifle out of the chute in 44-40 and then other models depending on sales. 

I will have to start saving my pennies for when they offer a 24" version in .45 Colt  .  What was street price the short barreled 357's?

[PJ Hardtack]

People have been slamming the Winchester/Miroku for it's mechanical variances and being first offered in .357 instead of 44-40, now we want one chambered in .45 Colt? Whatever would John Wayne think .... ?

I hope they never offer it so chambered. Just my opinion .....

[Ranch 13]

I'm hoping they see fit to offer it in 38wcf. I'll be all over that one if they do.

[Long Knife Rich]

I'm hoping they see fit to offer it in 38wcf. I'll be all over that one if they do.

That would be nice. Although I suspect we'll have to settle for the 44wcf.

[Tornado]

People have been slamming the Winchester/Miroku for being first offered in .357 instead of 44-40, now we want one chambered in .45 Colt? Whatever would John Wayne think .... ?

I hope they never offer it so chambered. Just my opinion .....

Next thing you will be saying is you are against .44cal 1851 Navy's 

[Ranch 13]

That would be nice. Although I suspect we'll have to settle for the 44wcf.

Nope won't settle for anything, if they don't bring it in 38wcf, I don't buy one.. just that simple.

[PJ Hardtack]

I have nothing against .45 Colt - as a pistol cartridge, and I own several. But after watching friends having to remove the sideplates of their .45 Colt '73's to clean after a match using BP loads, I know that wouldn't be high on my list of fun things to do.

Winchester knew what they were doing with the thin walled 32-20, 38-40 and 44-40.

[Fox Creek Kid]

Uhuh, and lost your shirt in the bargain!  While you and I love the 44WCF, most of the market place, outside of a handful of CAS/NCOWS types, does not agree. IMO.  In any case, looking forward to whatever they do next.  Thanks for the heads up!

PS:  Did they happen to mention having anything in the pipeline for this year?

I used to think that, however I don't think they have sold that many in .357 Mag. to be frank. CAS is dying & not growing. It peaked circa. 2000. In the past with the reintro of the '86 & '95 they always made the fancy models first. I'd wager money they haven't sold 1,000 of the .357 model.

The man I spoke with was a marketing fella & not production. To be honest, I never asked about anything else because I cannot think of anything they would make that would interest me, i.e., I'm not into bolt actions nor modern shotguns.

[Thomas (Tom) Horn aka James Hicks]

It is a SIGN of the times.... really sad when a company as old as Winchester... goes to another company (OUT OF COUNTRY) to make "THEIR" rifle.  The Japanese company makes good "copies"... BUT having said that... I do not consider the "new "Reintroduced" 1873 a real Winchester... it is just another copy.  Hate to say it... but the Uberti 1873 looks a hell of a lot better. my opinion, for what it is worth.

[Blackfoot]

Fox Creek Kid,
Do you know of any dealer or distributon who has any for sale?

Blackfoot

[PJ Hardtack]

Ellwood Epps in Orillia, Ontario, had some and they disappeared PDQ! That will take orders with a deposit.

[Grizzly Adams]

Pretty nice write up in the American Rifleman on the new Winchester 1873.

I own Uberti 73s, and I have tuned up a bunch more.  I can confidently assert that the build quality and tolerances of the New Winchester is far better than the Uberti by any standard you care to use.  As for the wood, yes it is "plain" but it is good quality walnut and has a satin oil finish that, IMHO is much nicer that the red varnish (or whatever it is) that Uberti puts on their version.  For what it's worth, it is just the kind of "plain straight grain walnut" that Winchester used back in the day.  The metal polish and prep on the New Winchester is also better than the Uberti.  All in all, for the same money as the Uberti, you get a competition ready Winchester 1873.  As to whether or not it is a "real" Wnchester is a matter of opinion, and how narrow or broad you want to be in your definition.  It is marked Winchester on the tang and on the barrel - to me that makes it a Winchester.  Uberti does not, nor can they put the Winchester name on theirs.

Not bashing Uberti's 73.  It is a very nice rifle, and I use and enjoy them!

[Grizzly Adams]

I don't think they have sold that many in .357 Mag. to be frank. CAS is dying & not growing. It peaked circa. 2000. In the past with the reintro of the '86 & '95 they always made the fancy models first. I'd wager money they haven't sold 1,000 of the .357 model.

I'll take that bet!   I have been trying to pick up another, and no one has them in stock, or knows when they will get more.  Any leads  would be appreciated! 

CAS dying?  Don't know about NCOWS, but SASS is alive and well everywhere I go, and I travel a lot!  One thing I have noticed in the last couple of years is younger folks coming into the game.

[Major 2]

I think with the economy and the ammo shortage , CAS may have leveled out some in the last 6 or 7 years....
and yeah... the gang is getting older....

But dying    no... it may evolve some....

[Blackpowder Burn]

+1 what Grizzly said! 

I'll have one when the 44-40's come out.

[ndnchf]

+1 on the 44-40.  I'll take one with a 24" octagon barrel and straight grip whenever they are available. The classic '73 Winchester rifle.

[dusty texian]

Will put in an order for one in 44wcf soon as they are ready.,,,,,,Dusty