Quoted:I have decided (or rather, my brain has decided for me) that I
need a lever action. Not just any lever action...but a 20" 1873 in 45LC. I have a 1980 mfg Marlin 1894 in 357 that used to be my uncle's and is in excellent shape but...it's just not the same. I need a replica of that beautiful, case-hardened, octagonal barrel Winchester 1873. I also need a pistol to go with it, but that's another story.
So which do I get? I've been looking at these rifles almost daily and putting a bit of money in my gun fund until I have enough. I'm not sure if I should get a Uberti or a Cimarron? From what I've seen, Uberti makes them for Cimarron, so are they the same? Or should I spring for one from Cody's Cowboy Shop with the action job? I think he uses Taylor's rifles but I'm not sure. What say the hive? Also, please feel free to post your 1873s so that I can drool over them while I dream about my own.
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If you are not going into CAS I would not get a short stroke or race job. It will be more sensitive to primers and not any better with commercial loads. These jobs designed to run light cowboy loads as fast as possible and not needed outside of world of SASS.
Uberti makes them for Cimarron, Stoeger and Taylor but the importer all have some small differences like finish or wood quality or shape and some have factory or post factory slicked actions. They are all sensitive to the OAL of ammo and work better with longer 38s and best with 357 mags with truncated cone or round nose bullets. Flat nose or WC or semi WC will not work.
If you want a perfectly match pair I would suggest uberti Cimarron short rifle with octagon barrel and Cimarron el malo 2 revolver with octagon barrel.
Taylor started bringing true stainless rifles and revolvers from uberti recently. The older "in white" finish is just plain steel stripped of bluing and prone to rust
If you "feel the need" to go single action, visit your local SASS club and get addicted to a 3-gun Cosplay... :)
Rossi is a cheaper option but not as Purdy or slick.