Keg Posted December 11, 2019 Share Posted December 11, 2019 Hey folks! I’m getting started with this sport and have been mulling over which lever gun to buy. They’re quite expensive, so I want to make sure I’m happy with it for a long time! I’m torn between the Uberti 1866 or 1873. The cartridge is my real holdup. As an historian, the historically accurate .44-40 would be my natural choice (at least for the 1873; and would be the closest to the .44 rim fire for the 1866 I bet). But I also like the options of .357 magnum (I can hunt with it; I’ve heard .44-40 is less potent for hunting), and can use .38 special for the game. Are there any downsides to using the .38s? Would I be barred from anything if it isn’t some variation of .45 or .44? My other question is how durable are these guns? For the price I want it to live a good long life. Is one model more durable than the other? Does the softer brass of the 1866 wear more easily? Lastly, does barrel length have any bearing on what types or branches of the game I can compete in? Any advice is greatly appreciated. I look forward to:starting a SASS membership soon and attempting to find folks to practice with within a reasonable range of central Missouri. Sorry for the million questions. Not aware of any local members to help guide me through the process. Cheers, Corey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted December 11, 2019 Share Posted December 11, 2019 Don't buy ANYDANGTHING till you have been to a few matches and done a hands on live fire. What's your AO? Do you reload? Pretty much have to, to play any gun game OLG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyrel Cody Posted December 11, 2019 Share Posted December 11, 2019 Welcome, and listen to OLG^^^, who i believe just moved to Missouri hisowndangself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hillbilly Drifter Posted December 11, 2019 Share Posted December 11, 2019 Hi Keg Actually there are more answers to the questions you raised, than the number of questions. A good face to face with some SASS pards and hardware will give you more useful advice than my or anyones opinions. You will need to review the SASS handbook and try and get some feel of the different categories and how they may interest you. it is easy to make quick assumptions and subsequent purchases only to find out later little bits of info that you missed. Sorry I did not directly answer you. HD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keg Posted December 11, 2019 Author Share Posted December 11, 2019 Thanks for the quick replies fellers! I am in Hermann, MO, a little German town equidistant between Columbia and St Louis. Each are just over an hour away. It’d be great to meet folks around those areas to learn with. I am originally from IL and saw a couple matches at Darnall’s range in Bloomington. Have been determined to get into it ever since but have not done any hands on outside of my own revolvers. I will get a reloading setup with the rest of my gear, but for now I have a local friend that will let me use theirs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Hanger #3720LR Posted December 11, 2019 Share Posted December 11, 2019 A little information. The 1860, 1866 and 1873 have different stock drops. If you put one on top of the others, you will find that the new the rifles got, the less drop in the stock. As much as an inch. Example: to see the sights on an 1860, you have to stand up straight. The 1873 you have to put your cheek dow on the stock. Old Lump Grits says it all. Go handle them at the range. Hold them, take your shooting stance and lean in to them as if you where shooting far targets. Also, handle rifles of different calibers. The hole in the barrel will make a big change in the overal weight and how fast they stop on target during the swing over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted December 11, 2019 Share Posted December 11, 2019 Can someone copy and paste the Missouri SASS clubs here, for the OP? I can't figure out how to do it with this Samsung Tablet. OLG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black RZR Posted December 11, 2019 Share Posted December 11, 2019 If you get into this game...your gonna want them all eventually. I also wouldn't b thinking of dual purpose , hunt/play. Go with the 73 for a match gun. I started with a Rossi then got the 73. I want a 60 in the future. By the way the Rossi would make a good hunt gun. It's not a good match gun. Too many problems when u try to shoot it fast over and over. It's a very accurate gun and reliable as long as you are not trying to over work it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black RZR Posted December 11, 2019 Share Posted December 11, 2019 I think the only category that requires 45 is classic cowboy. And u would also need a hammered sxs shotgun ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abe E.S. Corpus SASS #87667 Posted December 11, 2019 Share Posted December 11, 2019 The .38 Special is the most popular chambering. It’s the cheapest to feed and easier to shoot rapidly. There are only two “exclusions”, the first being the Classic category but that’s not a highly populated category. If you are fortunate enough to have a club in your area that offers Wild Bunch matches (Wild Bunch is not a cowboy action category but a separate shooting sport), that game requires a rifle of minimum forty caliber. The brass receiver of the 1866 is plenty durable. It is heavier than the 1873’s steel receiver. As others said it has a different amount of drop in the stock. At the distances typical in SASS matches, there is little advantage to a longer barrel. The 18-19-20” barrels are the most popular. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abe E.S. Corpus SASS #87667 Posted December 11, 2019 Share Posted December 11, 2019 I think the only category that requires 45 is classic cowboy. And u would also need a hammered sxs shotgun ... Classic does not require a .45 but a minimum forty caliber. An 1887 lever action shotgun is also a legal shotgun in Classic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black RZR Posted December 11, 2019 Share Posted December 11, 2019 Right right I was assuming 38 or 45 shooter lol sorry. Come to think about it I do recall some guys shooting pumps that r classic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black RZR Posted December 11, 2019 Share Posted December 11, 2019 Oh wait u said 87 lever sorry again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watab kid Posted December 11, 2019 Share Posted December 11, 2019 listen to what they are saying , go to a match or two - borrow if thats available but talk and learn before you buy , think about what you want to do , saves you a lot of cash in the end and maximizes your enjoyment , there is no shortage of fellow cowboys ready to help out a friend Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hells Comin Posted December 11, 2019 Share Posted December 11, 2019 73 in 38/357cal for most categories!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boulder Canyon Bob# 32052L Posted December 11, 2019 Share Posted December 11, 2019 Can someone copy and paste the Missouri SASS clubs here, for the OP? I can't figure out how to do it with this Samsung Tablet. OLG Bear Creek Volunteers2217 Bear Creek RoadWalnut Shade, MO 65771locate on map Alice K. Griersonalicegrierson@earthlink.net 417-501-1886 Date of Match: 2nd Saturday and Sunday and 5th Saturday Bear Creek Volunteers Wild Bunch2217 Bear Creek RoadWalnut Shade, MO 65771locate on map Alice K. Griersonalicegrierson@earthlink.net 417-501-1886 Date of Match: 1st Saturday Butterfield Trail Cowboys759 US Highway 65Walnut Shade, MO 65771locate on map Smokiejeffedunaway@cs.com 417-759-9114 Date of Match: 4th Weekend at the Ozark Shooters Sports Complex Central Ozarks Western Shooters23455 County Road 7640Newburg, MO 65550locate on map Irish Jack Danielskrhwork@earthlink.net 573-486-2259 Date of Match: 3rd Sunday - 9:45 am Gateway Area Shootist Society8343 Metropolitan BoulevardBarnhart, MO 63012locate on map Doc SlogunN/A 314-846-2904 Date of Match: Please see "More Information" section for match schedule Liberty Land and Cattle Company2217 Bear Creek RoadWalnut Shade, MO 65771locate on map Hon. Sgt. Edward Greenwood Hamptonbradbarlazyb@outlook.com 417-294-0585 Date of Match: 3rd Saturday and Sunday and 5th Saturday Mountain Oysters Gang19381 Rocky Branch RoadHigginsville, MO 64037locate on map Schnickelfritzsiegfrieds@ctcis.net 660-909-6519 Date of Match: 1st Sunday @ 10:00AM Southern Missouri Rangers333 Hardwood RoadMarshfield, MO 65706locate on map Two Shot Hosstwoshothoss@yahoo.com 417-839-8325 Date of Match: 4th Weekend @ 9:30 am The Ozark Posse15987 F. R. 2180Cassville, MO 65625locate on map Tightwad Swedetightwadswede@hotmail.com 417-846-5142 Date of Match: 1st Saturday - 9:30 AM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Appalachian Alan Posted December 11, 2019 Share Posted December 11, 2019 "(I can hunt with it; I’ve heard .44-40 is less potent for hunting)" What are you hunting? 44-40 has killed many thousands of deer ..... but more popular for our game is the 38 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Go West Posted December 11, 2019 Share Posted December 11, 2019 Take your time making any decisions and you'll have fewer regrets later. Read the rules to see what interests you, check out some matches and talk to folks. The '73 was made as an improvement to the '66. It's stronger, lighter and has the lever safety. I'm not sure if the '66 copies today have a lever safety or not. .38 Special is the most popular round in SASS and is cheap to buy or reload. Barrel length is generally 18-20". A '73 carbine is lighter than a short rifle. Either can be spendy new with action work and a short stroke, but may be found used at a savings. To repeat: take your time, you'll have a more harmonious outcome. Welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outrider Outlaw Posted December 11, 2019 Share Posted December 11, 2019 Echoing all of the above, but adding that you need to be certain that the magazine of the rifle will hold at least 10 rounds. There are some rifles out there that will only hold 9 and you wouldn't want to have to do a reload on every stage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
July Smith Posted December 11, 2019 Share Posted December 11, 2019 As an historian, the historically accurate .44-40 would be my natural choice (at least for the 1873; and would be the closest to the .44 rim fire for the 1866 I bet). But I also like the options of .357 magnum (I can hunt with it; I’ve heard .44-40 is less potent for hunting), and can use .38 special for the game. Are there any downsides to using the .38s? Would I be barred from anything if it isn’t some variation of .45 or .44? My other question is how durable are these guns? For the price I want it to live a good long life. Is one model more durable than the other? Does the softer brass of the 1866 wear more easily? Lastly, does barrel length have any bearing on what types or branches of the game I can compete in? Any advice is greatly appreciated. I look forward to:starting a SASS membership soon and attempting to find folks to practice with within a reasonable range of central Missouri. Sorry for the million questions. Not aware of any local members to help guide me through the process. Cheers, Corey If you plan on shooting black powder or in the Classic Cowboy category go for the 44-40. As you said, it is the correct caliber. If you are going to shoot smokeless and any category other than Classic go with the 38/357 because it is simpler and cheaper to load for. Only downside to 38s is blow by with black powder compared to the 44-40, but a lot of black powder shooters live with the blow by because of the convenience of loading the 38s. Far from ideal, but as a close to medium range hunting rifle both 357 and 44-40 will work so I would not let that influence your decision. Yes the brass frame 66 is technically weaker than the steel 73 but at 44-40 and 38 levels (they don't make a 66 in 357mag) you won't be wearing out the receiver of a 66 in your life time. For the price go with a Miroku made one. Out of the box the Miroku is better in every way for SASS shooting. Not knocking Uberti but the three I have owned all needed a little work to shoot in SASS and they need a lot of work to make them fast. The Miroku is ready for SASS right out box and can be made just as fast as a Uberti if you start reaching the limits of the stock links. Barrel length will not restrict you from any category but make sure it will hold ten rounds minimum. You can still shoot a shorter trapper model, but loading the extra rounds on the clock will kill your score. It is simpler to just stick with a 20" or longer barrel. Welcome to the game! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imis Twohofon,SASS # 46646 Posted December 11, 2019 Share Posted December 11, 2019 Keg Welcome to the game. I shoot 38/357,I dont hunt but you are in Gods country there in Central Missouri, I grew up there. Unless you have an unlimited budget you would be well advised to NOT rush to spend money. There are a lot of nuances to this game that can make extra care in equipment purchases a must. Dont just attend a couple of matches, go , introduce yourself to the Match Director, help a possee through an entire day or days. Talk to everybody and try offered guns and equipment, you will soon find the style and category that interest you the most. It will probably change at some point later on, my ex- used to call this Cowboy Heroin, for good reason. Now go get yourself a good hat. Imis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allie Mo, SASS No. 25217 Posted December 11, 2019 Share Posted December 11, 2019 Howdy and Welcome, Keg! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted December 11, 2019 Share Posted December 11, 2019 First of all, welcome to our game. A lot of good advice here. Especially the advice about going to club matches and asking to try different stuff. THere is a lot to be said for having rifles and pistols in the same caliber. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyesa Horg Posted December 11, 2019 Share Posted December 11, 2019 Keg---Welcome to the best game and folks goin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tex Wilson Posted December 11, 2019 Share Posted December 11, 2019 Welcome to the game Keg, shoot the different types of rifles offered to you to use by the pards you meet and shoot with, then make your decision on what to buy. I made the mistake of buying before trying, and I'm already making changes and buying different firearms and I've only been in the game for 8 months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster Ron Wayne Posted December 11, 2019 Share Posted December 11, 2019 Welcome to the dance Pard . I'm a Warthog shooter so I'm saying 44/40 every time ! As far as Hunting goes you can load a 44/40 Plenty hot for hunting . No problem ! 38 357 ? I never said I did not know how to use one . I said I have No use for one . Just Sayin. Rooster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yul Lose Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 Well, you asked, Winchester 1897 shotgun 16 gauge Pedersoli Lightning rifle 44-40 Ruger Old Army pistols .45 Scofield. Thats what I use because I’m a little different, but I have a lot of fun, none the less and rarely finish anywhere near the top but did I mention I have a lot of fun. Attend a match or four and try some guns out and then decide and I’ll bet you that you still end up buying more guns on down the road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black RZR Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 There is no such thing as making mistakes buying guns...it's just makes a bigger collection God bless gunpowder &lead Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.