Mitchell Arms, Inc.

[olered]

Looking at a Uberti 1873 that is marked Mitchell Arms Santa Ana, Calif.  I have not heard of this company. Anyone know anything about them? How many importers are there out there- finding more and more.

[jimbobborg]

Is that the same bunch who imports Mitchell Mausers? 

[Pettifogger]

I have had several Mitchell Arms marked guns.  A Uberti is a Uberti.  There were LOTS of importers several years ago.  Now it is down to three major ones.  Taylors, Cimmarron and EMF.

[Bibbyman]

I have a Uberti Catteman marked L.A. Dist. N.Y.C.   I thought I remembered the box saying Mitchell Arms.  I'm not sure if the box is still around.

[Billy Bristol]

Mitchell Arms,Inc. Santa Ana, Ca. An importer of firearms. Folded in 1999.

[olered]

Mitchell Arms,Inc. Santa Ana, Ca. An importer of firearms. Folded in 1999.

So this 73 would have come from Uberti in 1999 or before correct? Is there any difference between what was imported back then as to what is coming in now? Higher prices I know but what about quality? Better now or then? This rifle is said to be new, never fired just put away as a safe queen. Part of the sellers fathers estate.

[Pettifogger]

There have been lots of minor running changes during the production run of 73s by Uberti.  One major change was around 2008 when they changed the bolt and firing pin extension to a better design.  The old ones used a small (.060) pin to hold the firing pin extension into the bolt.  The new ones use a large flat plate held in by the forward carrier pin.  If it's in good shape and the price is right it should be fine.  However, a lot of people claim that the newer bolts are made from softer steel.  Uberti says the steel is the same, but there do seem to be a lot more bottom tab failures on the newer bolts.