The 44wcf 1873 Carbine

dusty texian · January 11, 2019, 06:38:53 AM

Yesterday afternoon was spent plinking with a 1873 Winchester Carbine that I restored a few yrs ago. The old carbine is a circa 1890's vintage and has seen lots of use , even though the bore is in pitted condition it still seems to digest and shoot almost any load fed it . Yesterday the load was a Meister 200 gr. bullet .429 , Starline brass , 15 gr. # 2400 powder , CCI primer . The little carbine has the early carbine sight that lifts up with the hart shaped hole in it and the normal front sight of a carbine . The front sight is steel and black so I rubbed a copper penny on just the top tip until it left a copper shine that can be seen better by my 59 yr. old eyes. All that said the afternoon was really enjoyed , the carbine is a pleasure to shoot and feather light in hand . Not a wonder after hunting season is over and the bigger rifles are used less the 1873 Carbine 44wcf get the nod for trips into the pasture .,,,DT

Slamfire · January 11, 2019, 08:15:43 AM

I to enjoy my 44 wcf . carbine , didn't know about the penny trick ,, will give it a try. I'm looking at 73's w/ 24" barrels in 44-40 of course,, but will have to sell my carbine to get one. Thank's for the penny tip.

smoke'm if ya' got'm ,, Hootmix.

dusty texian · January 11, 2019, 08:30:19 AM

Quote from: Slamfire on January 11, 2019, 08:15:43 AM
I to enjoy my 44 wcf . carbine , didn't know about the penny trick ,, will give it a try. I'm looking at 73's w/ 24" barrels in 44-40 of course,, but will have to sell my carbine to get one. Thank's for the penny tip.

smoke'm if ya' got'm ,, Hootmix.

The copper on the front sight helps me Slamfire , hope it works for you ,,,DT

scrubby2009 · January 11, 2019, 09:15:49 AM

Nice to hear that someone else abuses their heirlooms too! Last shootin' jaunt with friends I threw a couple of "full magazine from-the-hip" dealios for every ones amusement. Old guys in overalls re-enacting Custer's Last Stand.. You are right about feeding them anything tho. Old Cochise (1st Model that granddad got from the indian village near my childhood home) will gobble up nearly anything I lshove down the tube.

dusty texian · January 11, 2019, 09:55:29 AM

You aint alone Scrubby , I shoot all my old guns , unless they are unfit and those are getting put back into shape so they can be shot . Bet that full mag from the hip was a hoot . ,,,DT

Blackpowder Burn · January 11, 2019, 11:07:22 AM

I've got a pristine 1873 short rifle in 38WCF that is a joy to shoot. I use it regularly in our CAS matches with BP ammo. As you say - slick as butter and digests everything.

dusty texian · January 11, 2019, 12:21:59 PM

BP Burn the 38-40 is one of my favorites , I see an afternoon shooting a couple of them next .,,,DT

Blackpowder Burn · January 11, 2019, 04:28:43 PM

Dusty,

Yep, I've got two original '73 rifles in 38-40. The 2nd is a beater, but still runs like a Swiss watch. Great old guns!

I just bought (today) a new Winchester/Miroku '73 in 44-40. I'm really curious to see how it shoots and holds up in the long run - guess I'll have to come back and check with my great grandkids on that, though! So far, it's a nice looking and feeling rifle. Although the springs are heavy, it is much smoother than the Italian clones.

dusty texian · January 11, 2019, 04:41:22 PM

Quote from: Blackpowder Burn on January 11, 2019, 04:28:43 PM
Dusty,

Yep, I've got two original '73 rifles in 38-40. The 2nd is a beater, but still runs like a Swiss watch. Great old guns!

I just bought (today) a new Winchester/Miroku '73 in 44-40. I'm really curious to see how it shoots and holds up in the long run - guess I'll have to come back and check with my great grandkids on that, though! So far, it's a nice looking and feeling rifle. Although the springs are heavy, it is much smoother than the Italian clones.

That rifles may be broke in when the Grandkids get it , Miroku makes great guns. Hope to hear a good report on it . ,,,DT

Blackpowder Burn · January 11, 2019, 04:43:47 PM

You and me both! I'm going to make smoke with it tomorrow at our CAS match. Should be a hoot!

dusty texian · January 15, 2019, 03:03:26 PM

More plinking with the 44 carbine today , today's load was one I have used in a few of my 73's . 200 gr. cast lead bullet , 8 GR. Unique and a CCI primer , Starline case with a good crimp . This load like most loads Smokeless and Bp. shoot great in the little carbine . Walking around in the pasture shooting , Life is Good . ,,,DT

Coal Creek Griff · January 15, 2019, 03:17:26 PM

Thanks, Dusty. I love hearing stories like this. On days when I can't get out and shoot, it's like a mini vacation to read about what others are doing. It makes me smile...

CC Griff

dusty texian · January 16, 2019, 08:04:04 AM

CCG , I feel the same way , its why I frequent CASCITY so often , its good to be around likeminded people . Hope you can get out and do some shooting . This time of yr. is our pleasant weather for woods walking . The Summer months are about seven months long down here and downright Hot !!! ,,,,DT

dusty texian · January 22, 2020, 01:01:27 PM

A yr. ago today while checking feeder's I found this sow feeding on corn . Sneaking up to within about 60 yd's , I shot her just under the ear butt with the 44wcf 200 gr. lead bullet 8gr. of Unique , the bullet snapped her spine and did not pass through , she dropped on the spot . The little 1873 carbine has become one of my favorite knock around the pasture gun's . The sow was very good eating , just the right size .,,,DT

King Medallion · January 22, 2020, 02:00:48 PM

WHAAA?? No Black Powder? I didn't know they had smokeless powder down there in Texas yet. Technology must be catching up down there, huh?

Great shootn there, Tex! Save one for me!

Bryan Austin · January 22, 2020, 02:50:55 PM

Great shoot'n!!!

wildman1 · January 22, 2020, 04:34:24 PM

Quote from: Slamfire on January 11, 2019, 08:15:43 AM
I to enjoy my 44 wcf . carbine , didn't know about the penny trick ,, will give it a try. I'm looking at 73's w/ 24" barrels in 44-40 of course,, but will have to sell my carbine to get one. Thank's for the penny tip.

smoke'm if ya' got'm ,, Hootmix.

What ya got for a carbine? might be able to do a trade.
wM1

dusty texian · January 23, 2020, 04:06:42 AM

Quote from: King Medallion on January 22, 2020, 02:00:48 PM
WHAAA?? No Black Powder? I didn't know they had smokeless powder down there in Texas yet. Technology must be catching up down there, huh? Great shootn there, Tex! Save one for me!

Ha ! Unique powder I'm a little ashamed of using it but not enough to stop LOL. Like the smell of it and the biggest deal is when I shoot a hog or coyote in the evening with it and have to clean the pig that late , I don't have to clean the rifle also . Getting lazy as I get older . Don't think we will run out of pig's before you make it down here Amigo . ,,,DT

dusty texian · January 23, 2020, 04:07:36 AM

Quote from: Bryan Austin on January 22, 2020, 02:50:55 PM
Great shoot'n!!!

Thank's Bryan .,,,DT

dusty texian · January 29, 2020, 09:43:15 AM

Weather has finally turned cold , spot of white paint on front sight , a pocket full of 44 reload's , piggy's at the feeder every day . I smell a BBQ in the air . ,,,DT